What is AS4005.1?
AS4005.1 is the Australian Standard covering the training and assessment of recreational scuba divers. Part of it sets out the medical assessment a trainee diver should have, which is why dive schools often call it the “AS4005.1 dive medical”.
Dr Harry’s recreational dive medicals meet this standard.
What’s checked
The aim is to find anything that could make diving more dangerous for you, such as a condition that could cause a blackout underwater, or stop your ears and lungs coping with changes in pressure. Dr Harry:
- goes through your medical history, medications and the dive form
- examines your ears and eardrums, and your nose and sinuses
- checks your heart and blood pressure
- listens to your lungs, and a simple breathing test may be done
- considers your general fitness for swimming and carrying dive gear
How long is it valid?
There’s no single answer, because your dive school, liveaboard or operator decides. Many accept a medical from within the last 12 months.
How often should keen divers have one?
A common guide for regular divers is a check-up every five years under 30, every three years from 30 to 50, and every year over 50. It’s also wise to have one after a significant change in your health, surgery or pregnancy.
Recreational, not commercial
AS4005.1 covers recreational diving. Commercial and occupational divers need a different medical, to AS/NZS 2299.1, which we don’t provide.