Medical Tests for Diving Clearance
History & Physical
Initial and Annual
Includes predisposition to unconsciousness, vomiting, cardiac arrest, impairment of oxygen transport, serious blood loss or anything that will interfere with effective underwater work.
Chest X-Ray
Every 3 Years
PA and lateral every three years unless medical conditions dictate otherwise.
Bone and Joint X-ray survey
Optional
Optional and as medically indicated
EKG: Standard (12 Leads)
Initial and Annual
Initially to establish baseline. Annually after age 35 and as medically indicated.
EKG: Stress Test
As Medically Indicated
Required as medically indicated if the Framingham Risk Score indicates risk of > 10%
Spirometry
Initial and Annual
Required including FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75. Test should be compared with NHANESIII reference values for determining percent of predicted.
Audiogram
Initial and Annual
Threshold audiogram by pure tone audiometry; bone conduction audiogram as medically indicated
EEG
As medically indicated
Required only as medically indicated
Visual Acuity
Initial and Annual
Determines the smallest letters you can read on a standardized chart.
Color Blindness
Initial Exam
Checks for the most common types of color vision deficiencies
Complete Blood Count
Initial and Annual
Gives information about the cells in your blood, such as the cell count for each blood cell type and the concentrations of hemoglobin.
Routine Urinalysis
Intial and Annual
Analysis of urine by physical, chemical, and microscopical means to test for the presence of disease, drugs, etc.
Pregnancy Test
Females - Inital and Annual
Recommended prior to saturation diving.
Sickle Cell Screen
Optional at Initial Exam
A blood test for the defective form of hemoglobin that underlies sickle cell anemia.
TB Screening
Optional
Test for latent tuberculosis infection.
Comprehensive Metabolic Profile
Initial and Annual - Required for divers over 40
Blood test for cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Required for divers over 40.
Lipid Panel
Required annually after the age of 35
A panel of blood tests that serves as an initial screening tool for abnormalities in lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides.
Framingham Risk Score
Required annualy after the age of 35
A gender-specific algorithm used to estimate the 10-year cardiovascular risk of an individual.