Another Eagles Nest fatality

[mnjhuz76]

We should be talking about older divers getting full work-up medical checks and being healthy to do dives...

Well, I know, there's no Scuba-Police, but at least here in Germany the commercial dive-spots I know require a standardized medical exam (called 'Tauchtauglichkeitsbescheinigung' which literally translates to Confirmation of the capability to dive ) you have to pass every 2 years (every year beyond 40 years of age) which consists at least of (sorry, don't know the exact medical term in English) a test of your pulmonary function (you take a couple of deep breaths into a machine that records your pulmonary volume and other parameters) and a stress ECG (ECG on a bicycle ergometer) before they let you dive their location. You get a document from the physician with a 'valid until'-date and off you go.

This is quite an exam (complete description in German (sorry) can be found here: http://www.gtuem.org/wcms/ftp//g/gtuem.org/uploads/untersuchungsbogengtm-gth29.06.11leerformular.pdf ) but even if not required, I would probably do this regularly for my own safety...

 

[redacted]

Well, I know, there's no Scuba-Police, but at least here in Germany the commercial dive-spots I know require a standardized medical exam (called 'Tauchtauglichkeitsbescheinigung' which literally translates to Confirmation of the capability to dive ) you have to pass every 2 years (every year beyond 40 years of age) which consists at least of (sorry, don't know the exact medical term in English) a test of your pulmonary function (you take a couple of deep breaths into a machine that records your pulmonary volume and other parameters) and a stress ECG (ECG on a bicycle ergometer) before they let you dive their location. You get a document from the physician with a 'valid until'-date and off you go.

This is quite an exam (complete description in German (sorry) can be found here: http://www.gtuem.org/wcms/ftp//g/gtuem.org/uploads/untersuchungsbogengtm-gth29.06.11leerformular.pdf ) but even if not required, I would probably do this regularly for my own safety...

What does it cost to get that exam?

 

[oldschoolto]

What does it cost to get that exam?

"Does it really matter"... Most health plans cover a yearly physical , And it just may save your life...

Jim...

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

So for those of you that are promoting further overhead, oversight, government or private intrusion as well as fees or taxes to cover this mess.

Do you have annual physical exams? If not why not - should that not be enough for you? Why are you trying to push those (exams / restrictions) on me?

Personally I do annual exams - but I would never push that on you. You are grown up and have only yourself to look in the mirror. I don't care that you smoke, are over weight or are balding, drive over the speed limit or have crappy insurance. It is none of my business. I don't want to get in your business - stay out of mine...

There is a fine line on where intrusion stops - be very careful what you wish for or promote with the best intentions... It may come back to bite you where it hurts...

Last time I looked we are free to make our own decisions - make the best ones for you and leave me out of it...

 

[redacted]

"Does it really matter"... Most health plans cover a yearly physical , And it just may save your life...

Jim...

Yes, the cost to dive does matter, as does the reason for those costs.

 

[oldschoolto]

So for those of you that are promoting further overhead, oversight, government or private intrusion as well as fees or taxes to cover this mess.

Do you have annual physical exams? If not why not - should that not be enough for you? Why are you trying to push those (exams / restrictions) on me?

Personally I do annual exam - but I would never push that on you. You are grown up and have only yourself to look in the mirror. I don't care that you smoke, are over weight or are balding, drive over the speed limit or have crappy insurance. It is none of my business. I don't want to get in your business - stay out of mine...

There is a fine line on where intrusion stops - be very careful what you wish for or promote with the best intentions... It may come back to bite you where it hurts...

Last time I looked we are a free to make our own decisions - make the best ones for you and leave me out of it...

I'm not calling for more over site or rules... I'm calling for people, Older divers for sure, To be smart about what we do.. I'm not in great health... I'm dealing with years of pushing my body to the max and MS... I'm happy to enjoy the easy diving that doesn't beat me up... I'm not going to be doing shore diving in doubles into the north Atlantic... I'm not going to be pushing myself through small openings of a wreck 150+ feet down in 40* water temps...

My hero days are over... And I'm okay with that...

Jim...

 

[Bob DBF]

My hero days are over... And I'm okay with that...

Jim...

I'm not, but then the Clint Eastwood in me kicks in...

Bob

 

[Jerome O'Neil]

Yes, the cost to dive does matter, as does the reason for those costs.

Germany has universal health coverage. So my guess is $0.

 

[Patoux01]

Germany has universal health coverage. So my guess is $0.

Well in France you're paying 40€ and you're not gonna get all those fancy tests for that price.

 

[alewar]

What does it cost to get that exam?

I recently paid 90€ for it (about $95) with a normal ECG. I think it's a little more expensive when you're over 40 since you have to do the stress ECG. They also check your ears, medical history, etc. This is not covered by the German health insurance. You also have to pay for hyperbaric treatment out of your own poket unless you have an specialized insurance like DAN or VDST.