DIVING MEDICALS and necessary health +
fitness for diving
A diving medical examination is necessary;
Before the commencement of dive training.
Every five years if under the age of 35.
Every three years if over the age of 35.
Every year if the diver is on long term medication
OR if there is a change in medical status.
An E.C.G. is necessary at 50 years of age and every
five years thereafter.
A Chest x-ray is necessary on the first medical examination
OR if clinically indicated.
For insurance purposes a Medical Disclaimer must be signed
each intervening year and the Club D. O. counter signs this.
C.F.T. will issue a disclaimer page and this can be inserted
into each log book.
Fitness entry Requirements
1. Swim 200m (8 lengths of pool) any stroke, no time limit.
2. Swim 50m (2 lengths), any backstroke.
3. Hold your breath for 30 sec, with in 5 minutes of the swimming
test.
Medical Fitness
9% of divers who die have been specifically advised by a diving
medical expert or their dive instructor that they were unfit
to dive.
25% of those who die whilst diving were found to be medically
unfit to dive and should not have been doing so. Of those who
died 18% had a cardiovascular cause of death; their average
age was 44 years.
Physical Fitness is essential when participating in any
physically intensive sport. An average diver expends 300 calories
during a thirty-minute dive, not including kiting up, exiting
the water and de-kiting. If dive conditions are less than perfect,
cold, poor visibility, high work rate, stress, etc. this number
can increase further.
By comparison some other activities burn significantly less
calories for the same duration, a leisurely walk 120 calories,
cycling 240 calories, running 135 calories, aerobics 210 calories,
swimming 150 calories and rowing 300 calories.
A combination of both strength and aerobic fitness is required
for diving.
