Diving

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

Arterial gas embolism from diving or other causes is an emergency and you should call 000 and state "diving emergency"

The diving emergency protocol will be implemented.

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Diving emergencies that do not require recompression and should be referred to other services:

  • Ear and sinus barotrauma
  • Marine envenomation
  • Near drowning

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Call 000 and state "Diving Emergency"

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

The South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society website provides a current list of doctors with training in diving medicine who do medicals.

Emergency:

These patients require referral same day and are likely to be time critical

Divers – call Triple Zero (000) and state that it is a "diving emergency". The diver emergency protocol - will be implemented

Non divers – call RHH Switchboard (03) 6166 8308 and ask to speak to the Hyperbaric Specialist on call. Non-diver emergencies may be directed to the nearest Emergency Department for initial stabilisation and workup, prior to transfer to the Hyperbaric facility.

Urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within one week. Fax referral to (03) 6173 0410, and call (03) 6166 8193 between 8.00 am and 4.00 pm to discuss the patient with the Hyperbaric Specialist so that an urgent appointment for assessment can be made.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment