Medical check-ups?

[Papa Bear]

Here is another site:http://www.divemedicals.com.au/requirements.htmlhttp://www.divemedicals.com.au/requirements.html

[rubber chicken]

Here is another site:http://www.divemedicals.com.au/requirements.htmlhttp://www.divemedicals.com.au/requirements.html

Which states that a dive medical is required for courses, not for normal recreational dives. I have never been asked for a medical certification on any dive that i've done here. On the dayboats that I have worked on we check C-cards - and will turn you away if you can't produce one- but we never ask for proof of a dive medical.
On the Liveaboards that i've done, I have had to fill in a self certification form as part of the liability release but have never had to provide an form of official certification.
The above notwithstanding, getting a check out from a medical professional on an annual or bi-annual basis is not a bad idea. After all, you get your kit serviced regularly, why not the really important bit that the kit is designed to preserve ?

[Papa Bear]

I just emailed a friend in Australia and if you read the second site it states that if you answer yes to any of the medical questions or are 55 or older then operators are required to ask for you medical. He said you do to learn and then under the above circumstances, but he said there are a lot of rules that are not strictly adhered too! My point is if you are going all that way, from here or Europe, then I wouldn't take a chance, but I am over 55 so for me better safe than a waste!

[Andy]

Thanks for your input and the links.