Diving Medicine
Diving Medicine
Underwater diving can be either commercial or recreational. The former encompasses the application of professional diving wherein the diver works underwater for industrial, construction, engineering, maintenance or other commercial purposes. While the work done out of the water may be similar to its underwater counterpart, the significant differences with the underwater environment had resulted in a special branch of occupational medicine – diving medicine. This involves the effects of pressure on body gasses as well as marine hazards. Recreational diving, on the other hand, which includes SCUBA diving, is usually aleisure activity.
Occudocsare recreational and commercial diving medical officers who determine individuals’ fitness to dive. As with most occupational medical examinations, emphasis is placed on hearing and vision evaluation as well as cardiological and pulmonary testing.
According to theInternational Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), the different classes of commercial divers include:
• Class I Saturation and bell,
• Class 2 and 3 Air and mixed gas,
• Class 4 SCUBA and
• Class 5 Scientific
OCCUDOCS conducts SAUHMA medicals, which are IMCA approved, as well as Oil and Gas, United Kingdom, medicals.