When it is reassuring that the dishonesty was identified and reported
What happened?
Stuart Elmes, of Bournemouth, was seeking employment as a PADI instructor in March 2025.
Commercial divers must hold a valid medical certificate issued by an HSE-approved doctor to confirm they are fit to dive. This is a legal requirement under the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 and is a critical safeguard to protect both the diver and others involved in diving operations.
The man falsified his certificate. The document was identified by a local diving school and subsequently reported to HSE. An investigation by the HSE, supported by the Approved Medical Examiners of Divers (AMED) board, confirmed that the certificate had been falsified.
Under Section 33(1)(m) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, it is an offence to make, or possess, a document that closely resembles an official document and is intended to deceive.
An HSE Diving inspector said: “Diving commercially is a high-risk activity. Being assessed as medically fit to work underwater, including when providing diver training, is an essential part of ensuring safety — not only for the individual but also for their students and colleagues.”
Legal Outcome
Stuart Elmes pleaded guilty to breaching Section 33(1)(m) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in April 2026. He was fined £700 and ordered to pay £2,620 in costs and a victim surcharge of £280.
What can we learn from what happened?
A cautionary tale for anyone thinking about trying to buck the system, and a reassuring one as well given that the dishonesty was identified and reported.
Diving is definitely high-risk. Under certain circumstances, participants have to jump through a few hoops to prove they are medically fit to dive, so the requirement for the instructor to do the same is rightly greater. The motivation for this instructor to try to deceive his potential employers and clients is not known, but chances are he will not be able to gain employment in this specialised area of leisure again.
Source of Information
HSE Press Release