Fitness to Dive Medical
Diving for commercial and occupational purposes is covered by the Diving at Work Regulations (1997). The medical examination and assessment of commercial divers can only be undertaken by an HSE Approved Medical Examiner of Divers (AMED).
Who is required to have an HSE Diving Medical?
You are required to have an HSE diving medical if you are a professional diver working for reward in UK waters, inland, inshore and offshore requires a valid HSE Diving Medical (MA2 certificate.)
This includes recreational instructors, divemasters and rescue divers (working for a commercial training agency), commercial divers, scientific divers, police and military divers as well as media divers.
There are three types of HSE diving medicals
- Initial medical
- Annual Medical
- Return to work after an illness or injury medical
Initial and Annual HSE Diving Medicals
An initial diving medical examination to establish baseline medical results is a thorough examination which can only be performed by an Approved Medical Examiner of Divers. Scheduled to last for 1 ½ hours. An annual medical examination takes 1 hour.
What happens during the HSE Medicals?
Both examinations include a number of preliminary investigations and measurements:
- height, weight, waist circumference
- urine
- blood pressure
- spirometry
- audiometry
- assessment of cardiovascular fitness (Chester step test)
- a full medical examination.
Other investigations such as ECG, chest X-ray, and blood samples are not routinely undertaken but may be required if clinically indicated.
On completion of either an initial or an annual diving medical examination, the Approved Medical Examiner of Divers (AMED) will issue you with a medical certificate of the individual’s fitness to dive.
The HSE Form MA2 is valid for a maximum period of 12 months. Your MA2 must be renewed before it expires if you wish to remain ‘fit to dive’. If your MA2 has expired you are not fit to dive until you have had an annual diving medical examination and a new MA2 has been issued.
How should I prepare for an HSE Diving Medical?
Please wear suitable attire for your medical examination e.g. sports kit, to enable assessment of cardiovascular fitness, and to facilitate clinical measurements and examination.
Please bring the following things with you to your appointment:
- Your most recent MA2 Form
- Photo ID e.g. passport or driving licence
- Your glasses (do not wear contact lenses as they are removed for the eyesight test).
- Your logbook
- Any samples required e.g. urine
- Peak flow diary – if required
- Any other results or reports that may have been requested e.g. 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
- A list of all medications you are taking
Chaperones are available by prior arrangement. If you would like a chaperone for your medical examination, please indicate this when you book your appointment.