Diving fitness examinations

From now on, you will have the opportunity to undergo a diving medical examination at dive4life at regular intervals!

Assessing medical fitness for diving is an important safety factor for every diver. While any doctor in Germany can certify fitness to dive, the German Society for Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine (GTÜM) recommends an examination by a doctor trained according to the association's standards. They also specify the scope of the examination. Doctors with GTÜM certification must be active divers themselves and regularly renew their qualifications. This provides you with the security of standardized examination conditions.

Divers over 15 and under 40 years of age must undergo a fitness examination every three years, and divers over 40 and under 18 years of age must undergo a fitness examination annually.

Performing physician - Dr. med. Sebastian Goß

The examinations are offered and conducted by Dr. Sebastian Goß.

Dr. Goß, born in 1977, is a specialist in anesthesiology with additional qualifications in intensive care medicine and emergency medicine. He is an active diver himself and holds a diving doctor's diploma (GTÜM 2a).

For any questions before the examination, please first read the FAQ. If you still have questions, please feel free to email them before or when registering.

When will the examinations take place?

The examinations are offered at irregular intervals in the D4L; you can find the dates below.

Please register by email to: untersuchung.tauchen@gmail.com.

Please provide the following information: last name, first name, address, date of birth, desired date, and time. You will then receive all further information and your appointment via email.

I'm currently in D4L. Can I drop in spontaneously without registering?

We generally ask for advance registration for planning purposes. If appointments are canceled at short notice or become unavailable, it may be possible to schedule a walk-in appointment. However, this cannot be guaranteed.

What is offered?

Diving fitness examination according to GTÜM guidelines, including the required diagnostics (spirometry, ECG, blood pressure and oxygen saturation measurements, and eardrum inspection). If you are deemed fit for recreational diving, you will receive the corresponding certificate on-site (valid for 3 years for those aged 15-40, 1 year for those aged 40 or under 15).

What isn’t possible locally?

A stress ECG (cycle ergometry) is mandatory for divers over the age of 40. This test requires appropriate equipment, which is not mobile, and must therefore be performed beforehand, for example, by a family doctor. You can bring the test with you. Please note that the test should not have been performed more than three months ago.

I have a health issue that I know (or am unsure) is compatible with diving, OR I've had a diving accident in the past. What should I do?

It would be helpful to mention this during the registration process (and feel free to include any available results as a PDF if desired). In this case, a longer appointment can be scheduled to provide you with appropriate advice, or any necessary follow-up tests can be discussed prior to the appointment.

Problems that need to be discussed may include:

Diving accident in the past

Operations (especially ENT)

Cardiovascular diseases

Neurological diseases

Lung diseases

Taking new medications, especially centrally depressant or stimulant medications

Psychiatric illnesses

etc

How much does the examination cost?

The examination is a medical service not covered by health insurance. The costs are levied not by the D4L, but by the examining physician. The total cost, including the examination and certification, is €96.55 and can be paid on-site in cash, by bank transfer, or via PayPal. You will, of course, receive an invoice.

Do health insurance companies reimburse the costs of the diving fitness test?

TTU is, in principle, a private medical service and, as such, is not included in the list of services provided by statutory health insurance providers. However, some statutory and private health insurers will reimburse the costs partially upon receipt of the invoice, sometimes up to 80%. However, there is no entitlement to this. In any case, the amount must initially be paid privately; any reimbursement is a matter between the patient and the insurance company.

I recently had tests (e.g. ECG, lung function) done by another doctor.

Can I bring these with me?

Yes, of course. You can bring along any examinations that are no more than three months old at the time of your diving fitness examination. The invoice amount will then be reduced by the corresponding examination fee. However, this is provided that no complaints have arisen during this period that would necessitate a reassessment and thus a repeat examination.

I take medication (e.g., for high blood pressure) or take medication as needed (e.g., for allergic asthma). Is there anything I need to be aware of?

Please take your regularly prescribed medications as usual; there is no break for the examination. Please bring any medication you require, especially asthma inhalers, with you to the examination.

What do I need to bring?

After registration, you will receive a health questionnaire. Please complete it completely and bring it with you to your examination. If you take regular medication, please bring a medication plan. If you have any recent medical findings (e.g., hospital discharge reports, recent examinations by a general practitioner), these would also be helpful.

I registered, but now I have a bad cold or other health issues. Can I still come?

That doesn't make sense. You should be examined in a condition in which you would be comfortable diving. Please remember to cancel your appointment (email to the registration address) and reschedule.

I'm a professional diver. Can I also have the G31 occupational health examination for professional divers performed at your facility?

Unfortunately, this is not possible. Occupational health examinations may only be certified by a specialist in occupational medicine.

Will my data be saved or stored?

The paper documentation is archived by the examining physician in accordance with legal regulations. Upon request, a copy of the personal findings can be issued at any time at cost. Like all medical data, the data and findings collected during the diving examination are subject to confidentiality; only the physician has access to them. The ECG device used (manufacturer: D-Heart, Italy) records ECG findings electronically and stores them in compliance with GDPR. A corresponding privacy policy from the manufacturer is available.

If you do not want to do this, please bring a paper ECG – not older than 3 months – with you for the examination.