Regulation 36

Note:  Dates in italics flag the dates of recent changes to the regulation, e.g., 08/08 indicates a change made to the following paragraph in August 2008

Pursuant to Clause 7 of the Constitution and Regulation 35

36.1  This Regulation provides for the establishment and conduct of the ANZCA Certificate in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine.

36.2  Registration

Registration for training must be within three calendar months of commencement of training.  Retrospective accreditation of more than three calendar months of training is not permissible.

36.3  Training Fees

 A training fee will be payable on commencement of training which will cover the whole course.

36.4  Training Programs

Training for the ANZCA Certificate in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine will be conducted as outlined below. There will be three main elements of this training: course work, practical experience and research

Objectives, curriculum and explanatory diagrams may be found in the DHM Trainee Manual.

36.4.1  Course Requirements

In order to reflect the two distinct sub-disciplines of which Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine is composed, two periods of formal instruction must be successfully undertaken to satisfy the requirements of the certification. Each of these must be of a minimum duration of two weeks. One course would be primarily Diving Medicine orientated (eg Royal Adelaide Hospital, HMAS Penguin), while the other would be primarily Hyperbaric Medicine orientated (eg the Australian and New Zealand Hyperbaric Medicine Group (ANZHMG) Course). Courses must be of a minimum standard as required by the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS) Diploma as currently constituted.

One course should be undertaken early in training, as required by the present Diploma, while the other may be completed at any time up to the end of training. This gives a total of four weeks formal, didactic training from a wide range of specialists in the field.

36.4.2  Practical Experience

The SPUMS Diploma requires six months of formal, full-time, experience working in a hyperbaric facility.  A further one year full-time equivalent (FTE) of training in a facility accredited by the ANZCA Special Interest Group (SIG) for this purpose, results in a total requirement for 18 months of FTE training in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. This requirement may be satisfied by a longer period undertaken at less than 1FTE, such that the 18 month FTE is achieved.

In addition to a time commitment, a workbook should be kept by each trainee, documenting a minimum number of essential practical tasks completed. Each entry requires counter-signature by a qualified supervisor. An outline is available in the Trainee Manual.

36.4.3  Research Component

Either one of the following is acceptable to satisfy the research component of the ANZCA certificate in DHM:

 36.4.3.1  Attainment of the Diploma in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, as conducted under the auspices of the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS).

36.4.3.2   Successful completion of a Formal Project which is relevant to diving and hyperbaric medicine and is consistent with College Professional Document TE11 Formal Project Guidelines.

36.4.4  Competencies

Successful completion of the certification process will require the candidate to demonstrate:

36.4.4.1  A satisfactory level of understanding of the hyperbaric physical environment

36.4.4.2  An ability to develop a rational approach to the assessment, diagnosis, selection, treatment and outcome assessment of patients presenting for consideration of hyperbaric therapy

36.4.4.3  An ability to diagnose and manage the complications of hyperbaric therapy

36.4.4.4  Practical ability to perform investigations and treatment relevant to hyperbaric patients, including insertion of chest drains, performance and interpretation of transcutaneous oxygen mapping studies and conduct of assessments of fitness to dive

36.4.4.5  A satisfactory level of understanding of the diving environment and the safe conduct of underwater diving

36.4.4.6  Physical fitness to enter the hyperbaric environment

36.4.4.7  An understanding of the administrative and quality management commitments required for the safe and effective conduct of hyperbaric therapy

36.4.4.8  An understanding of the research process as it relates to diving and hyperbaric medicine

36.4.5  Part Time Training

Part time training is permitted.  All the requirements for the Certificate must be completed within ten years of registration.

36.4.6  Interrupted Training

Interrupted training is permitted. All the requirements for the Certificate must be completed within ten years of registration.

36.4.7  Recognition of Prior Learning

Retrospective accreditation of up to three calendar months of training is permitted, subject to approval of the New Programs Committee.

36.4.8  Approved Hyperbaric Medicine Units

Requirements for approval of Hyperbaric Medicine Units for training are contained in PS47 Guidelines for Hospitals Seeking College Approval for Vocational Training in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine.

36.4.9  Assessement

There is a three-element assessment process for certification. Element one is the training and research component. The candidate must successfully complete 18 months FTE of training, a minimum of 12 months of which must be carried out in a Hyperbaric Unit accredited by ANZCA for training in DHM. A research project must be successfully completed, as defined in section four above. Element two is satisfactory completion of the workbook. Element three is successful negotiation of an examination to be sat at or near the end of the training period. This examination covers knowledge in the areas identified in the curriculum (available in the Trainee Manual).

Prior to presenting for the DHM examination, Trainees must have

36.4.9.1  Attained their primary specialist qualification, and,

36.4.9.2  Completed at least 12 months FTE DHM training,
               and
36.4.9.3  Completed the DHM Formal Project. 

36.4.10  Continuing Professional Development

Participation in a relevant Continuing Professional Development Program (e.g., ANZCA CPD Program) is required.

08/08