Diving Medical Examiner

Diving Medical Examiner (DME) is a medical professional who is certified to assess the medical fitness of scuba divers and other underwater divers. The role of a Diving Medical Examiner is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of divers, as they are responsible for identifying any medical conditions that may pose a risk during diving activities.

Role and Responsibilities

A Diving Medical Examiner's primary responsibility is to conduct medical examinations on divers or potential divers to determine their fitness to dive. This includes a thorough assessment of the individual's cardiovascular system, respiratory system, nervous system, and ENT system, as these are the areas most affected by the changes in pressure that occur during diving.

In addition to physical examinations, a DME may also review the individual's medical history, conduct diagnostic tests, and provide advice on dive medicine and safety. They may also be involved in the treatment of diving-related injuries or conditions, such as decompression sickness and barotrauma.

Training and Certification

To become a Diving Medical Examiner, a medical professional must undergo specialized training in dive medicine. This training typically includes both theoretical and practical components, covering topics such as the physics and physiology of diving, common diving-related medical conditions, and the specific medical considerations for different types of diving (e.g., recreational, commercial, technical).

Upon successful completion of this training, the medical professional can apply for certification as a Diving Medical Examiner from a recognized body such as the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) or the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS).

See Also

• Dive medicine
• Hyperbaric medicine
• Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
• South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society