Occupational Diving Medical Examination Procedure

Occupational divers in New Zealand must undergo a full diving medical examination (using NZ Occupational Diving Examination — Examination Findings) every 5 years, or as determined by the Diving Medical Consultant (DMC). The full diving medical examination will be carried out by a Designated Diving Doctor (DDD), who will then forward the completed medical examination results within 28 days to Diving Hyberbaric Medicine Services in Auckland. If the applicant is deemed fit to dive, a medical clearance certificate will be issued by the DMC. If not, the DMC will request further evaluation by an appropriate medical specialist.

During the interim four-year period, an Occupational Diver Medical Questionnaire is to be completed annually by the diver (go to www.divemeds.co.nz). This is to ensure that a continuous record of the diver’s medical history is maintained. This questionnaire is part of the medical assessment of fitness for occupational diving. It is regarded as an acceptable assessment by the Health and Safety Service of the Department of Labour for medical clearance of occupational divers working in New Zealand provided a full medical examination is completed every 5 years (or as determined by the DMC). This meets the requirement of the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations (regulation 49).

Once completed, this questionnaire (and examination if completed) must be sent to the Diving Hyperbaric Medicine Services, PO Box 32139, Devonport, Auckland. along with a processing fee of $97.00. Cheques should be payable to “Diving Hyperbaric Medicine Services”. Records of divers’ assessments will be kept at the Diving Hyperbaric Medicine Services, which is located in Devonport, Auckland. If the applicant is deemed fit to dive, a medical clearance will be issued to the diver. Queries to d.gorman@auckland.ac.nz or divemeds@gmail.com.

The full medical shall be completed in the year of application for a certificate of competency, or renewal of a certificate of competency, to ensure those medical records and certificates of competency records are aligned with each other. A medical clearance (within the last six months) will need to be produced at the time of applying for a certificate of competency.

Where a diver suffers an accident, illness, a change of medication, or any medical circumstance which may affect their medical fitness to dive, a new full medical assessment must be completed prior to recommencing work.

Diving Hyberbaric Medicine Services may also consider an appropriate medical clearance obtained overseas as part of the process. The suitability of such a medical clearance should be discussed directly with the DMC at Diving Hyberbaric Medicine Services, divemeds@gmail.com.

Diving Hyberbaric Medicine Services will endeavour to send out a medical clearance within 10 working days of receipt to the diver if deemed fit to dive. If not, the DMC will refer the applicant to a DDD or other specialist for further medical investigations.