Diving Medical Certificate Questionnaire & Information

Travellers partaking in any diving activities on their East Coast Tour must thoroughly read and abide by the following information. Divers may be refused if they cannot provide sufficient documentation from their doctor to prove they are in a condition to drive safely.

Please note that any and all diving activities that you undertake during your tour are at your own risk, and require awareness of such risks and sensibility whilst in the water. 

Diving is an exciting and demanding activity. When performed correctly while applying correct techniques, it is relatively safe. When established safety procedures are not followed, however, there are increased risks.

To scuba dive safely, you should not be extremely overweight or out of condition. Diving can be strenuous under certain conditions. Your respiratory and circulatory systems must be in good health. All body air spaces must be normal and healthy. A person with coronary disease, a current cold or congestion, epilepsy, a severe medical problem or who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not dive. 

If you have asthma, heart disease, other chronic medical conditions or you are taking medications on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor and the instructor before participating in this program, and on a regular basis thereafter upon completion. You will also learn from the instructor the important safety rules regarding breathing and equalisation while scuba diving.

Improper use of scuba equipment can result in serious injury. You must be thoroughly instructed in its use under the direct supervision of a qualified instructor to use it safely. 

If you have any additional questions about diving and your medical questionnaire, you should review them with your instructor before signing.

To the participant: The purpose of this Medical Questionnaire is to find out if you should be examined by your doctor before participating in recreational diver training. A positive response to a question does not necessarily disqualify you from diving. A positive response means that there is a preexisting condition that may affect your safety while diving and you must seek the advice of your physician prior to engaging in dive activities.

Please answer the following questions on your past or present medical history with a YES or NO. 

If you are not sure, answer YES.

Could you be pregnant, or are you attempting to become pregnant?

Are you presently taking prescription medications? (with the exception of birth control or anti-malarial)

Are you over 45 years of age and can answer YES to one or more of the following:

• Are you currently smoke a pipe, vape, cigars or cigarettes?
• Do you have a high cholesterol level?
• Do you have a family history of heart attack or stroke?
• Are you currently receiving medical care?
• Do you have high blood pressure?
• Do you have diabetes mellitus, even if controlled by diet alone?

Have you ever had or do you currently have:

• Asthma, wheezing with breathing, or wheezing with exercise?
• Frequent or severe attacks of hayfever or allergy?
• Frequent colds, sinusitis or bronchitis?
• Any form of lung disease?
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)?
• Other chest disease or chest surgery?
• Behavioural health, mental or psychological problems (Panic attack, fear of closed or open spaces)?
• Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions or take medications to prevent them?
• Recurring complicated migraine headaches and/ or taking medications to prevent them?
• Blackouts or fainting (full/partial loss of consciousness)?
• Frequent or severe suffering from motion sickness (seasick, carsick, etc.)?
• Dysentery or dehydration requiring medical intervention?
• Any dive accidents or decompression sickness?
• Inability to perform moderate exercise (example: walk 1.6 km/one mile within 12 mins.)?
• Head injury with loss of consciousness in the past five years?
• Recurrent back problems?
• Back or spinal surgery?
• Diabetes?
• Back, arm or leg problems following surgery, injury or fracture?
• High blood pressure or are taking medicine to control blood pressure?
• Heart disease?
• Heart attack?
• Angina, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery?
• Sinus surgery?
• Ear disease or surgery, hearing loss or problems with balance?
• Recurrent ear problems?
• Bleeding or other blood disorders?
• Hernia?
• Ulcers or ulcer surgery?
• A colostomy or ileostomy?
• Recreational drug use or treatment for, or alcoholism in the past five years?

If any of these items apply to you, we must request that you consult with a physician prior to participating in scuba diving. 

Please have a copy of the RSTC Medical Statement and Guidelines for Recreational Scuba Diver's Physical Examination to take to your physician.

If you have any questions at all, get in touch with our team of agents or your tour operator before embarking on your dive experience.