Scuba Diving

In 2018, the Queensland Government updated its“Recreational Diving and Snorkelling Code of Practice”and-outlined new requirements for potential divers, especially with regards to medical fitness. Hence, anyone considering undertaking any form of diving, certified or introductory must complete a medical questionnaire before diving to assess their fitness to dive.

If you are doing 1 dive with Seastar Cruises, you will need to wait 12 hours to fly. You will need to wait 24 hours before flying if you are doing 2 dives with Seastar Cruises. Therefore, if you are flying within the time frames given, you will not be allowed to scuba dive.

Minimum age 12 years. The medical questionnaire for introductory diving is as follows:

HAVE YOU EVER SUFFERED FROM, OR DO YOU NOW SUFFER FROM, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Asthma or wheezing
• Fainting, seizures or blackouts
• Chronic Bronchitis or persistent chest complaint
• Chronic sinus conditions
• Chest surgery
• Recurrent ear problems when flying
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes Mellitus (sugar diabetes)
• Tuberculosis or other long-term lung disease
• Brain, spinal cord or nervous disorder
• Heart disease of any kind
• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
• Ear surgery

ARE YOU CURRENTLY SUFFERING FROM:

• Breathlessness
• Chronic Ear Discharge or infection
• High blood pressure
• Perforated eardrum
• Other illness or operation within the last month
• Are you currently taking any medicine or drug (except oral contraceptives)?
• Have you ingested any alcohol within the eight hours prior to diving?
• Are you pregnant?

ANSWERING “YES” TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS MAY EXCLUDE YOU FROM DIVING

However:

Introductory divers who answered yes to any of the above questions we recommend obtaining a medical fitness clearance to dive (signed and dated) from a diving doctor before travel. With such a certificate, Seastar is able to take diving, someone who may have ticked “yes” to one of these questions.

NOTE: The above questionnaire is not restricted to that listed and other medical conditions should be revealed and a medical obtained.

At the conclusion of the medical form you will be required to acknowledge:

“Do you understand that concealment of any condition incompatible with safe diving might put your life or health at risk?”

This is where the disclosure of all medical conditions is essential, even those that may seem minor, enabling our dive crew to be able to give you the best possible advice.

Justifiably, this information can seem overwhelming.

Our main concern is your safety:

If answering “yes” to any of the medical questions, you are well advised to get a medical clearance prior to your trip to ensure the best possible experience on Seastar.

Must possess an internationally recognized SCUBA certificate card.

Certified divers are also required to to complete an on-board medical declaration form. Being a certified diver (licensed diver) allows more latitude in determining their medical fitness to dive.

The medical questionnaire for certified diving is as follows:

SINCE COMPLETING YOUR LAST DIVE MEDICAL ASSESSMENT

• Have you suffered any illness or injury that may affect your ability to dive safely?
• Are you currently suffering any illness or injury?

AND

• Are you currently taking any prescription medication, other than the contraceptive pill?

Answering “no” to the first two questions will normally allow a certified diver to dive. However, if taking prescription medication and were taking it while doing their course or have an updated medical, this also will normally still allow a certified diver to dive.

Justifiably, this information can seem overwhelming.

Our main concern is your safety:

If answering “yes” to any of the medical questions, you are well advised to get a medical clearance prior to your trip to ensure the best possible experience on Seastar.