When divers are completing a self-certification Dive Medical it's important to be completely open about medical history and any medications.
When you're filling in your UKDMC self-certification medical form, it can be tempting to think:
That condition has never caused me a problem.
I've been diving for years.
I feel absolutely fine.
So why mention it?
Because when it comes to diving, the information you provide could make a real difference — not just to your safety, but to the safety of everyone diving alongside you.
It's not just a form
The UKDMC self-certification medical form isn't there to stop people diving. It's there to help keep people diving safely.
Underwater, your body experiences conditions that simply don't exist on land. Pressure changes, cold water, physical exertion and breathing compressed gas can all affect how certain medical conditions behave. Something that causes no issues in everyday life may become much more significant underwater.
That's why the medical questions matter.
If your answers indicate that you should see a UKDMC-approved medical referee, that isn't a failure or a barrier. It's a safeguard.
And if you do need to see a referee, be completely open about your medical history and any medications you take. These are specialists in diving medicine and all UKDMC are also recreational divers so do not want to stop others diving. Their role isn't to find reasons to stop you diving — it's to assess risk, offer advice and, wherever possible, help you continue enjoying the sport safely.
The only thing they can't assess is information they don't know about.
Diving is a team sport
It's easy to think of a medical declaration as a personal decision. After all, it's your health.
But diving has never been a solo activity.
Your buddy is in the water with you. Your Dive Manager is co-ordinating the dive. Instructors, boat crews, coxswains, rescue cover and fellow club members all play a part in keeping diving safe.
If a medical issue develops underwater, it rarely affects just one person.
An emergency can place significant physical and emotional demands on everyone involved in a rescue or recovery. The consequences can last long after the dive has ended. Being honest on your medical form is therefore about more than protecting yourself. It's part of the duty of care we all owe to our dive teams.
And beyond the dive site, there are the people waiting for you at home. Family and friends trust that you're doing everything you reasonably can to dive safely.
Completing your medical declaration honestly is one of the simplest ways to honour that trust. In addition, failure to complete a medical declaration honestly may invalidate diving medical insurance.
IPO: A condition every diver should know about
One condition that deserves particular attention is Immersion Pulmonary Oedema (IPO).
Although awareness has increased in recent years, IPO remains a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can affect divers and swimmers alike.
IPO occurs when fluid builds up in the lungs during immersion, often in cold water or during physical exertion. Importantly, it can affect people who are otherwise fit, healthy and experienced.
Symptoms may include:
- Sudden breathlessness out of proportion to the degree of exertion performed during and after a dive
- Difficulty breathing underwater or at the surface
- A persistent cough
- Coughing up frothy or pink-tinged sputum
- Tightness or heaviness in the chest
- Unexpected panic associated with breathing difficulties
- Confusion and loss of consciousness, particularly during ascent when the partial pressure of oxygen in the inspired breathing gas decreases
Because these symptoms can develop quickly, they are sometimes mistaken for equipment problems, overexertion or anxiety.
If you have experienced symptoms like these during or after a dive or swim — even if it happened only once, even if you recovered quickly, or even if you're not completely sure what caused it — you should declare it on your UKDMC self-certification form. Whilst breathless starts after leaving water it may not be IPO but could be another condition that requires expert advice and further tests.
Current UKDMC guidance is clear: anyone who has experienced a suspected episode of IPO should seek assessment from a UKDMC-approved medical referee before returning to diving.
That advice exists for a reason.
IPO can recur, and a repeat episode underwater could be fatal. There have been several deaths of divers who ignored earlier episodes of IPO. In addition, there have been serious illness, including decompression sickness, and deaths of buddies who attempted to rescue a diver suffering immersion pulmonary oedema.
A diving medical specialist can assess your individual circumstances, identify any contributing factors and advise on how to reduce future risk. In some cases, underlying conditions such as high blood pressure can be identified and treated, making future diving considerably safer. In addition, an episode of IPO may indicate a cardiac cause that would put them at risk of death or serious illness unconnected with diving but which can be treated.
If you're unsure whether what you experienced was IPO, say so anyway. That's exactly what the medical referral process is there for.
Safe diving starts with honest information
At BSAC, we want diving to be as accessible as possible.
Medical knowledge continues to evolve, and many conditions that might once have prevented someone from diving can now be managed safely with the right advice and support.
But that process starts with honest information.
Take your time when completing your medical declaration. Answer every question truthfully. If a referral is recommended, follow it through and be open with your medical referee.
It's not a barrier to diving.
It's one of the best ways to help ensure that you can continue diving safely, confidently and for many years to come.
Safety and medical information
For more information on BSAC medical forms and UKDMC-approved medical referees, visit the BSAC medical matters pages.
