Diving fitness examination

A diving fitness test is a medical diving examination with the aim of diving safely . Physical health is an important requirement for professional and recreational divers .

The investigation

The diving fitness test serves to prevent diving accidents and should be in the self-interest of every diver. The examination gives the doctor the opportunity to make it clear to a diver what his limitations are or that diving poses too great a risk for him. The diving doctor clarifies the following points in a conversation or through a questionnaire:

• Is the patient physically able to swim longer distances?
• Can the patient communicate appropriately and clearly with other people?
• Does he have the necessary degree of mental maturity and personal responsibility ?
• Are there reasons why a sudden loss of consciousness or disorientation can be expected?
• Are there reasons that sudden panic could arise?
• Are there physical causes that could promote barotrauma ?
• Could addictive substances impair the ability to dive?
• Does the patient have a disease or predisposition that diving may make worse?

In addition to the general condition, the doctor examines the following areas during the diving fitness examination :

• Heart ( blood pressure , pulse , auscultation ).
• Lungs (auscultation, pulmonary function test ).
• Ears and sinuses.
• Performance (resting / stress ECG )
• Very obese people further investigation may be added, as strong Obesity may limit the diving fitness.
• Depending on the age, the overall condition and the examination results, further special examinations such as X-ray examination of the chest ( thorax ), ergometry or laboratory tests ( blood count , serum examination, erythrocyte sedimentation reaction ESR , urine examination) may be necessary.

Repetition

It is recommended to repeat the diving fitness test after two to three years and to have it carried out annually before the age of 18 and from the age of 40. For professional divers, the diving fitness test is regulated by law and must be carried out annually. Even after a diving accident, your fitness to dive should be reassessed by a diving doctor.

Legal

Many diving schools and associations require a diving fitness test before they allow a recreational diver to take a diving course . Most diving centers around the world also require their diving guests to undergo a medical examination. The insurance companies of the diving centers also require an investigation, as do many tour operators in order to assert liability exclusions in the event of accidents. In many countries it is also possible, for a small fee, to be examined by a diving doctor on site and thus to have your "fitness for diving" confirmed. Some of the diving centers dispense with a diving suitability test and have the diver himself confirm their health with a declaration. This transfers the liability risk to the diver and insurance companies can claim back the treatment costs in the event of an accident or not pay out a life insurance policy .

There is no legal basis for conducting diving fitness tests for diving in Germany, but there is for professional divers (e.g. fire service divers , rescue divers ) and positive pressure workers . These have to be checked for diving fitness once a year or after a long illness. In Germany, this is regulated by the G 31 professional association principle .

Diving medic

Since in Germany, Switzerland and Austria there is no specialist certification as a doctor for diving and hyperbaric medicine, from a legal point of view every doctor, including the general practitioner, can certify the suitability for diving. However, a diver must be aware that a diving doctor can make more qualified statements in such a special area than a doctor who has little or no idea about diving and diving medicine.

The guidelines for diving fitness examinations, for the use of the additional designation diving doctor and for training and further education are published in Germany by the Society for Diving and Overpressure Medicine (GTÜM). In Switzerland, the Swiss Society for Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine (SUHMS) is responsible, in Austria the Austrian Society for Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine (ÖGTH).

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Information about fitness for diving . the GTÜM and ÖGTH.
2. ^ ^{A b c} Peter Nussberger: diving medicine - an overview . (PDF; 676 kB) In: Schweiz Med Forum , 2007, 7, pp. 990–993; Retrieved June 17, 2011
3. ↑ GTÜM / ÖGTH examination form . (PDF; 52 kB) GTÜM e. V. - BG-Unfallklinik Murnau office; Retrieved June 17, 2011.
4. ↑ The diving fitness test . ( Memento of the original from July 7, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. tcneptun.ch; Retrieved June 21, 2011. 
5. ^ Medical check-ups for recreational divers . of the GTÜM and ÖGTH, p. 4.
6. ↑ Fitness for diving . GTÜM e. V. - BG-Unfallklinik Murnau office; Retrieved June 17, 2011
7. ↑ Further training guidelines of the GTÜM e. V. for diving and hyperbaric medical qualifications of doctors; Retrieved June 23, 2011
8. ↑ courses (English) SUHMS; Retrieved June 23, 2011
9. ↑ Training / further training guidelines. ÖGTH; Retrieved June 23, 2011