Commercial and HSE - Approved Diving Medical

The requirements for commercial diving are more stringent and mandatory than for recreational diving.

In its Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) the HSE has listed five working practices for each area of commercial diving:

- Offshore commercial
- Inland commercial
- Media
- Archaeology
- Recreational instructor

Each person needs an initial thorough medical, and subsequent annual medicals.

The diver leaves with certification, a full copy of the medical and HSE in Glasgow will be informed to update their register.

The Commercial/HSE Diving Medical
Medicals involve checking personal details, previous medical details and log books (for annual review), then a thorough examination which includes a full hearing test, a detailed lung test (spirometry), a heart tracing (ECG) and a 3 minute exercise test under monitoring.

Initial examination also includes blood testing (full blood count). The medical will take 1 hour.

Completion of the initial HSE questionnaire and confirmation by your GP will be of a great help.

You can download the complete Medical Examination and Assessment of Divers form (MA1), which includes Annexe A the Medical Questionnaire on p18, from the HSE website using this link
[nb: 200k pdf file, requires Acrobat Reader]



Please bring along confirmation of personal details (eg: driving license, passport), log books, Qualification Cards and any previous dive medical forms, as well as a pair of trainers!

Cost
£140, payable by cash or cheque.
[PADI/Recreational instructors £100]
Receipt given.

Offshore Certification
Workers in offshore environment need medical certification to be passed fit for safety training and offshore working. Offshore certification is available for both UK Sector (UKOOA) and Norwegian Sector (OLF). There is no extra charge assuming your HSE Diving Medical is satisfactory.

Cost
For Non-Diving offshore medicals £100, payable by cash or cheque.
Receipt given.