General Principles

Psychiatric Illness and Fitness to Dive is a complex area of diving medicine.

There are few existing guidelines and there is often variation in these between different organisations. Guidelines that do exist are often not comprehensive or evidence based.

The interactions between psychotropic medications and pressure have not been extensively researched and due to the complexity involved, it is unlikely large trials will be done.

Following the UKDMC Conferences in 2013 and 2015, it was determined by the committee, expert psychiatry panel and delegates that a more pragmatic approach would be taken with some psychiatric conditions and guidelines will be developed accordingly.

In order to determine effectiveness of these guidelines and further progress them, we will be developing audit tools and your participation in these is greatly appreciated.