"Coronavirus" Extension
On the 24th March 2020 the HSE
issued
clarification that divers with a full in-date HSE Diving
Certificate (MA2) could contact the
AMED that issued this
certificate and seek a 3 month extension.
To be
eligible for this the diver must have an in-date full MA2
certificate from myself, confirm that there have been no new
medical health issues since last seen and that their fitness
remains adequate.
The process
for applying:
1)
Diver emails me
mhdowns@btinternet.com
2) I will email the medical
questionnaire and details of how to pay the £50 fee.
3)
Diver completes the questionnaire and emails it back.
4)
Diver makes the payment for the fee.
5) I will email a
MA2 certificate, valid for 3 months from the date of expiry
of the existing certificate. Normally the diver would need
to sign this certificate in the presence of the AMED but the
HSE have stated that this need not be done for these
certificates.
Update 27th May 2020:
The HSE issued further guidance
stating that only a single 3 month extension is possible
without a face to face medical examination.
If a diver is
unable to obtain an extension from their existing AMED then
they may contact another AMED, send them their previous MA2
forms, complete a questionnaire and have a satisfactory
telephone consultation then a 3 month extension may be
issued (as above.) This will not be possible if the diver
has experienced any symptoms of Covid-19 infection.
Diving emergencies
I do
not provide an emergency service for diving accidents or
incidents.
If you think you may have decompression
illness then you should either contact your nearest
Recompression Chamber or the National Helpline - 07831
151523