Offshore diving medical chest regulation

Regulation at a glance

Last verified · 8 September 2026

StatusDMAC 15 Rev. 6.1, issued February 2026. It supersedes Rev. 6 and all previous revisions.
Applies toOffshore remote facilities undertaking surface-supplied or saturation diving operations.
Medical chest basisDMAC 15 equipment and medicines, used with the vessel or installation medical inventory and a project-specific risk assessment.
Inspection cycleAt each mobilisation and at least every six months, with checks and use recorded in the dedicated logbook.

DMAC 15 is professional guidance from the Diving Medical Advisory Committee, not a flag-state statute. The Diving Medical Advisor must review the final equipment and drug selection against the operation, location, evacuation arrangements and local pharmaceutical law.

Disclaimer: This page is a practical overview and not medical or legal advice. Always check the current DMAC document, local law and project-specific instructions.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

01 · Confirm the operational scope

Assess the diving method, worksite, personnel, remoteness and access to definitive medical care.

02 · Select the correct equipment sets

Provide the relevant bell, chamber, HRU, dive-site and drug inventories specified by the current DMAC guidance.

03 · Control storage and stock

Keep the kit dry, clean, locked, labelled and within the specified temperature range; secure controlled medicines appropriately.

04 · Inspect and document

Check the kit at mobilisation and at least every six months, recording stock, expiry, equipment condition and use.

Regulatory framework
DMAC guidance + project risk assessment + local law
DMAC 15 should be used with the vessel or installation medical kit. Local pharmaceutical controls and the responsible Diving Medical Advisor determine the final project-specific inventory.
!
Dangerous goods & IMDG

Check the support vessel’s cargo obligations separately

If the diving support vessel carries packaged dangerous goods, apply the current IMDG Code and any cargo-specific antidote requirements alongside DMAC 15. IMDG does not replace the diving medical guidance.

Open official IMO IMDG page ↗

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Keep the current guidance and project-specific evidence together so the medical equipment can be verified before mobilisation and during operation.

Primary guidance
DMAC 15 Rev. 6.1 with the completed Appendix 1
Project file
Risk assessment and medical plan
Document the operation, evacuation capability, local supply constraints and Diving Medical Advisor decisions.
On-site records
Inventory, expiry list and dedicated logbook
Record inspections, replenishment, equipment checks and every use of medicines or equipment.
✓
Mobilisation evidence
Recorded kit review and responsible-person sign-off
The Diving Superintendent or Vessel Medic should have documented responsibility for kit control and access.

HOW SEAFARMA CAN HELP

Seafarma can translate the current DMAC guidance into a practical project-specific supply, control and delivery workflow.

Scope and scale review
Match the operation to the required DMAC equipment sets.
Supply and replenishment
Prepare medicines, equipment and replacement items for mobilisation.
Inspection preparation
Support inventory, expiry and equipment-readiness checks.
Ship delivery & agent coordination
Arrange worldwide delivery and coordinate ETA, berth, agent details and handover instructions.

note

The DMAC 15 Rev. 4 – December 2014 was replaced by the DMAC 15 Rev.5 on December 2021

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