While we all like to enjoy ourselves underwater there are risks involved, especially for those with some medical conditions. The Australian Standards organisation, various state and federal regulators, together with the diving industry and representatives of recreational divers, have combined to put in place requirements and medical standards for SCUBA diving in Australia that are amongst the strictest in the world.

To undertake training with most diving operators, or to dive using their equipment, under their supervision, or on a dive they coordinate, they require you to have a Recreational SCUBA Diving Medical to Australian Standard 4005.1. Overseas medicals are not accepted unless they are equal or better than the AS4005.1 standard. When starting a diving course, the dive medical must be valid within 12 Months of starting a course or a new one is required.

When applying to join VSAG, you must be able to produce a current Dive Medical Certificate. VSAG recommends that members have regular dive medical examinations so as to always have a current Dive Medical Certificate.

The requirement for a Dive Medical is ultimately for your own safety.

Where To Get A Dive Medical

Some of the diving doctors fequented by VARS members are:

The South Pacific Underwater Medical Society (SPUMS) has a full list of AS4005.1 certified physicians.

Cancelling The Right To Dive Anyway

Regardless of whether you have a current Dive Medical Certificate, a dive operator has the power to exclude you from participating in diving activities. VSAG reserves the right to also do this.

More Information

For more information about Australian dive medicals and dive medical requirements, please visit the informative web site Dive Medicals Online.

Safety in Diving