Dive courses and dive operators in South Florida ask for a signed dive physical — the diver medical — when the screening questionnaire flags a condition — asthma, diabetes, heart or lung history, ear or sinus surgery, certain medications. UrgentMed completes the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire and physician evaluation (the RSTC/UHMS form used by PADI, SSI, NAUI and most agencies) as a walk-in visit at Davie or Plantation, with EKG and spirometry on site when the evaluation calls for them.
When a dive physical is required
- A “yes” answer on the diver medical questionnaire before an open-water, advanced or professional course.
- Divemaster and instructor candidates, who need a current physician evaluation for their agency.
- Dive-shop, charter and public-safety dive team employees whose employer requires annual clearance.
- Returning to diving after an illness, surgery, pregnancy or a diving-related injury.
- Freediving and spearfishing courses that use the same form.
What the dive physical covers
- A history focused on the conditions that matter under pressure: lungs, heart, ears and sinuses, seizures, diabetes, medications, and prior decompression illness.
- Examination of the ears, nose and throat, lungs and heart, and blood pressure.
- Spirometry and an EKG when the history or the form’s guidance indicates them; a chest X-ray on site when needed.
- The physician’s signed evaluation — fit to dive, fit with conditions, or referral to a diving-medicine specialist for a decision the form reserves for one.
Commercial and public-safety diving
Commercial diving under OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart T and ADCI standards uses a more extensive exam with its own schedule; bring the employer’s form and the required tests are arranged, with any specialist components referred.
What to bring
- The diver medical form from your course or employer with the questionnaire completed.
- Photo ID, a list of medications, and records of any heart, lung, ear or diving-related condition.
Walk in at either Broward clinic
Both clinics are open seven days a week — Davie at 5149 S University Drive (Renaissance Plaza, just south of Griffin Road) and Plantation at 10199 Cleary Boulevard, Suite 10. Both serve Davie, Plantation, Cooper City, Weston, Sunrise, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines and the surrounding Broward County communities. Hours, maps and parking.
Insurance and self-pay
Most licensing and program physicals are self-pay and the price is quoted at the front desk before you are seen; employer-ordered exams are billed to the employer account. Bring a photo ID and the form.