FAQs

Why do SPUMS recommend that I should have training in diving medicine before completing diving medicals?

Diving is a special physiological challenge for human beings, and involves risks that are not simply ‘common sense’. For this…

Diving is a special physiological challenge for human beings, and involves risks that are not simply ‘common sense’. For this reason, most prospective divers are unaware of some of the risks involved with a number of common medical complaints. Indeed, most medical practitioners may be unaware of a number of ‘unusual’ consequences of diving with a range of medical and physical conditions. As an example, diving is associated with a drop in blood sugar level in people with diabetes – beyond that experienced simply through physical activity.

SPUMS believes the best risk estimate for prospective divers can only be made after specific and maintained training in diving medicine.

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

Where can I find a doctor who is qualified to perform diving medicals?

SPUMS maintains a database available on this site that lists members of SPUMS with the appropriate training to do Recreational…

SPUMS maintains a database available on this site that lists members of SPUMS with the appropriate training to do Recreational dive medicals, Occupational dive medicals and those prepared to do Paediatric dive medicals.

Other doctors may be equally qualified, but we do not know of a more comprehensive listing.

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

How do I get my name on the Diving Doctors list?

The requirements are that you are a fully registered medical practitioner, a current member of SPUMS and have successfully completed…

The requirements are that you are a fully registered medical practitioner, a current member of SPUMS and have successfully completed specific training to do recreational and/or commercial diving medicals through a course recognised as appropriate by SPUMS. A list of such courses can be found at SPUMS approved courses for doctors.

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

Where can I get a copy of the SPUMS diving medical for recreational divers?

This document is available from this site at SPUMS Medical (Members only).

This document is available from this site at SPUMS Medical (Members only).

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

Where can I get a copy of the AS2299.1 diving medical for occupational divers?

The Australian Standard is available for purchase from Standards Australia at: http://www.standards.org.au/Pages/default.aspx.

The Australian Standard is available for purchase from Standards Australia at: http://www.standards.org.au/Pages/default.aspx.

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

What qualifications do I need to undertake recreational diving medicals?

You need to be a fully registered medical practitioner. It is SPUMS position that you also need specific training in…

You need to be a fully registered medical practitioner. It is SPUMS position that you also need specific training in Diving Medicine (see Why do SPUMS recommend that I should have training in diving medicine before completing diving medicals?).

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

What advanced qualifications in diving and hyperbaric medicine exist?

In Australia, there are two qualifications available. Any medical practitioner may attain the the SPUMS Diploma in Diving and Hyperbaric…

In Australia, there are two qualifications available. Any medical practitioner may attain the the SPUMS Diploma in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, while you must have a specialist qualification (including RACGP) to be eligible for the ANZ College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) diploma of advanced diving and hyperbaric medicine (ANZCA Dip Adv DHM).

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

How do I get a SPUMS diploma in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine?

You must be a registered medical practitioner who has completed six months of FTE work in a SPUMS-accredited hyperbaric facility,…

You must be a registered medical practitioner who has completed six months of FTE work in a SPUMS-accredited hyperbaric facility, have attended an accredited formal training course in the field and completed a research project. You must be a member of SPUMS for a minimum of two years at the time of your application for the Diploma.

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

Where can I get a copy of an article from Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine (DHM)?

The latest issues, embargoed for one year, are available on the DHM website for the personal use of society members…

The latest issues, embargoed for one year, are available on the DHM website for the personal use of society members only. Access is via your SPUMS or EUBS website login and password.

Please respect that these are restricted access and to distribute their contents within one year of publication is a breach of copyright. Some authors request immediate release of their work, for which they pay a fee.

Older issues; articles for immediate release into the public domain; contents lists and the Abstracts of the most recent (embargoed) issues; information about submitting to the Journal; profiles of the Editorial Board and useful links are to be found on the site.

Your membership ensures the continued publication of DHM – thank you for your support of SPUMS.

Please direct any enquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

What qualifications do General Practitioners have to have to perform Dive Medicals and what authority says that it is compulsory to do so?

There are two answers to this question: The peak physician bodies in this area – the South Pacific Underwater Medicine…

There are two answers to this question:

  1. The peak physician bodies in this area – the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS) and the Special Interest Group of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists hold the opinion that doctors should not perform dive medicals without appropriate training. SPUMS holds a current list of acceptable courses and maintains a list of members who have successfully passed one of those courses (‘The Diving Doctors List’).
  2. The Australian Medical Association in the past has not agreed with this position and maintains training is not required.

In any case, there is no legislative requirement in this area.

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

What does SPUMS stand for? What are EUBS, AHDMA and UHMS?

SPUMS is the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society and it is based in Australasia. Regional diving and hyperbaric medicine societies…

SPUMS is the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society and it is based in Australasia.  Regional diving and hyperbaric medicine societies exist in other areas of the world. These include the European Underwater and Baromedical Society (EUBS), the Asian Hyperbaric and Diving Medical Association (AHDMA) and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), which is based in the United States.

Posted  2 years  ago by  spumsorg

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