DATELINE: 16th July 2001

SELF-MEDICALS BEGIN
British diving clubs officially adopted a revised scheme of diver medicals in June, as had been expected following a long research and consultation process.
From now on, members of the British Sub-Aqua Club, Sub-Aqua Association and Scottish Sub-Aqua Club do not have to undergo automatic medicals conducted by GPs or listed diving medical referees before they are certified to dive.
Instead, they fill in a revised UK Sport Diving Medical Form which contains a questionnaire designed to identify any symptoms that could indicate a lack of fitness to dive - in which case the demand for a medical examination comes into play.
The scheme was devised by the nine doctors of the UK Sport Diving Medical Committee. It is based on research undertaken by SDMC member Dr Stephen Glen who, with colleagues at Edinburgh University, examined records of the old system alongside results of a pilot study for the new system, with the help of some 3000 SSAC members.

---