Physicians Diving Advisory: Recommendations on Annual Diver Physical Exams during the COVID-19 Pandemic / Face Coverings in the Offshore Environment / ADCI COVID-19 Diver Questionnaire

As the world deals with SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the Physicians Diving Advisory Committee (PDAC) is issuing a new statement regarding physicals that should be performed on commercial divers or candidates. The purpose of this guidance is to give diving medical examiners advice about parts of medical examinations that may expose their staff and other patients to the virus, and guidance on return to diving on people that have recovered from the virus. Medical examiners will be faced with local or federal laws that must be adhered to and may supersede some of these recommendations. PDAC mandates the use of a questionnaire, and one is provided for those providers who do not currently have one developed. It is expected that divers currently on extension should have their annual examinations as required by the Consensus Standards 6.3 by November 1, 2020.

The prevalence of COVID-19 can be expected to rise until an effective vaccine is developed and given to a majority of the population. Until then, we must assess risk and determine procedures to minimize spread of the virus. The most concerning tests to be considered that may expose staff or other patients are spirometry and exercise stress testing. The following recommendations have been discussed by PDAC regarding these tests: