Health Declaration Form / Covid-19

COVID-19 shares many of the same symptoms as other serious viral pneumonias that require a period of convalesce before returning to full activities- a process that can take weeks or months depending on symptom severity.

Medical recommendations:

  • Divers who have tested positive with COVID-19 but have remained completely asymptomatic, should wait ONE month before resuming diving.

  • Divers who have had symptomatic COVID-19, should wait at least THREE months before applying for fit-to-dive clearance conducted by a diving specialist.

  • Divers who have been hospitalised with or because of pulmonary symptoms in relation to COVID-19, should wait at least THREE months before applying for fit-to-dive clearance conducted or coordinated by a diving medicine specialist, with complete pulmonary function testing (at least FVC, FEV1, PEF25-50-75, RV and FEV1/FVC, and an exercise test with peripheral oxygen saturation measurement) as well as a high resolution CT scanning of the lungs.

  • Divers who have been hospitalised with or because of cardiac problems in relation to COVID-19, should wait at least THREE months before applying for fit-to-dive clearance conducted or coordinated by a diving medicine specialist with cardiac evaluation, including echocardiography and exercise test (exercise electrocardiography).

General recommendation:

  • Divers and dive centres should observe strictly the guidelines for disinfection of diving gear (as issued by the diving federations and DAN Europe / Divers Alert Network).

Medical Questionnaire

This is a statement in which you are informed of some potential risks involved in scuba diving and freediving of the conduct required of you during the scuba training program. Your signature on this statement is required for you to participate in the scuba training program offered by Aquatic Imaging Australia.

You must complete this Medical Statement, which includes the medical questionnaire section, to enroll in the scuba/freediving training program. If you are a minor, you must have this Statement signed by a parent or guardian. Diving is an exciting and demanding activity. When performed correctly, applying correct techniques, it is relatively safe. When established safety procedures are not followed, however, there are increased risks.

To scuba/freedive safely, you should not be extremely overweight or out of condition. Diving can be strenuous under certain conditions. Your respiratory and circulatory systems must be in good health. All body air spaces must be normal and healthy. A person with coronary disease, a current cold or congestion, epilepsy, a severe medical problem or who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not dive. If you have asthma, heart disease, other chronic medical conditions or you are taking medications on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor and the instructor before participating in this program, and on a regular basis thereafter upon completion. You will also learn from the instructor the important safety rules regarding breathing and equalization while scuba/freediving. Improper use of scuba equipment can result in serious injury.

You must be thoroughly instructed in its use under direct supervision of a qualified instructor to use it safely.

If you have any additional questions regarding this Medical Statement or the Medical Questionnaire section, review them with your instructor.

Please read carefully before signing. The purpose of this Medical Questionnaire is to find out if you should be examined by your doctor before participating in recreational diver training. A positive response to a question does not necessarily disqualify you from diving. A positive response means that there is a preexisting condition that may affect your safety while diving and you must seek the advice of your physician prior to engaging in dive activities.

You will be asked to answer the following questions on your past or present medical history with a YES or NO. If you are not sure, you will be required to answer YES. If any of these items apply to you, we must request that you consult with a physician prior to participating in scuba diving. Your instructor will supply you with an RSTC Medical Statement and Guidelines for Recreational Scuba Diver’s Physical Examination to take to your physician.

Please read carefully below:

  • Note to women: If you are pregnant, or attempting to become pregnant, do not dive

  • Are you presently taking prescription medications? (with the exception of birth control or anti-malarial)

  • Are you over 45 years of age and can answer YES to one or more of the following?

• currently smoke a pipe, cigars or cigarettes

• have a high cholesterol level

• have a family history of heart attack or stroke

• are currently receiving medical care

• high blood pressure

• diabetes mellitus, even if controlled by diet alone

Have you ever had or do you currently have...

  • Asthma, or wheezing with breathing, or wheezing with exercise?

  • Frequent or severe attacks of hayfever or allergy?

  • Frequent colds, sinusitis or bronchitis?

  • Any form of lung disease?

  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)?

  • Other chest disease or chest surgery?

  • Behavioral health, mental or psychological problems (Panic attack, fear of closed or open spaces)?

  • Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions or take medications to prevent them?

  • Recurring complicated migraine headaches or take medications to prevent them?

  • Blackouts or fainting (full/partial loss of consciousness)?

  • Frequent or severe suffering from motion sickness (seasick, carsick, etc.)?

  • Dysentery or dehydration requiring medical intervention?

  • Any dive accidents or decompression sickness?

  • Inability to perform moderate exercise (example: walk 1.6 km/one mile within 12 mins.)?

  • Head injury with loss of consciousness in the past five years?

  • Recurrent back problems?

  • Back or spinal surgery?

  • Diabetes?

  • Back, arm or leg problems following surgery, injury or fracture?

  • High blood pressure or take medicine to control blood pressure?

  • Heart disease?

  • Heart attack?

  • Angina, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery?

  • Sinus surgery?

  • Ear disease or surgery, hearing loss or problems with balance?

  • Recurrent ear problems?

  • Bleeding or other blood disorders?

  • Hernia?

  • Ulcers or ulcer surgery ?

  • A colostomy or ileostomy?

  • Recreational drug use or treatment for, or alcoholism in the past five years?