The Diver Medical Form: Part 1: Undercurrent 06/2026

The Diver Medical Form: Part 1

does it get the results sought?

from the June, 2026 issue of Undercurrent

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If you have gone to a diving resort or liveaboard in the last couple of years, there is a good chance you have been asked to complete a complex medical form and perhaps even been required to get a doctor's signature stating you're medically cleared to dive.

Historically, most operators used a liability form that, when you signed it, you may have indicated you had no significant medical issues, and you agreed to accept all liability for any accident, assigning none to the operator. Most operators still use some sort of liability waivers, but some have added a new form, designed to prevent divers with medical issues from diving. But just what is a "medical issue"?

With the backing of the Recreational Scuba Training Council, a form was developed by the Divers' Alert Network and the Underwater Hyperbaric Society. Today, many operators are using this more complicated form to screen certified divers who wish to dive with them, even though the form clearly states: This form is principally designed as an initial medical screen for new divers, but is also appropriate for divers taking continuing education. For divers, the problem is that you don't have to have anything wrong with you, but you still might be required to march into a doctor's office for a note stating you're fit to dive. And if you don't, the slightest thing may disqualify you.

Why? Perhaps the main pressure comes from their insurers, but training agencies with which operators have a business affiliation beyond teaching classes (for example, PADI's Five Star Operators) aren't keen to face liability lawsuits from the families of deceased divers (though in third world countries they may not go very far).

Of course, no operator or its staff want injuries or deaths to happen on their watch, knowing the effect that such traumatizing events may have on the victims' families and friends, but also for other divers aboard and the entire crew. And practically speaking, there are economic reasons. It's not a good advertisement for business if an operator has an injury or death. Furthermore, the cost implications of returning a liveaboard to port in an emergency and the possible refunds to passengers for lost diving time could be considerable....

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