Dive Physical Problem

[Squalus]

I just went through a thorough physical for my Dive Control Specialist course. During the entire phys the doctor was being very indifferent when she found out the purpose of the physical. Questioning why I wanted to do something risky and dangerous. I politely told her that my main job in the military is to jump out of planes and save lives so, how could scuba diving be as dangerous as that? Come to find out after alot of prying and blatantly asking her what the problem was about diving she told me. Her husband just recently passed while diving (had a coronary), so she said I could not have the completed form until I took a stress test and have my cholesterol checked and that would be approximately three weeks because, she wanted to make sure I had no coronary problems. My vital signs are always well within normal limits and even have an ekg run routinely just out of fun and always the same nothing wrong. I have never had any problems with any coronary problems nor do I think I will. Should I get another physical sheet and go to another doctor who is not biased and report her to the medical group she belongs too?

 

[AmyJ]

I know nothing... just have opinions. If the testing is covered by insurance or is not a hardship... and the wait time is not a problem... let her do it. As someone who works in the medical field I find it reassuring to hear about someone who actually cares. Yes, her bias comes from a personal experience... but if your health is fine, you have nothing to lose and will have that added reassurance with the knowledge that your doctor gives a rip and knows something about the dangers of diving.

Plus... just been doing some reading about some of the deaths of divers from truly unknown medical problems... not saying you have any... but never hurts to check things out. just my .02 worth. safe diving!

 

[netmage]

I just went through a thorough physical for my Dive Control Specialist course. During the entire phys the doctor was being very indifferent when she found out the purpose of the physical. Questioning why I wanted to do something risky and dangerous. I politely told her that my main job in the military is to jump out of planes and save lives so, how could scuba diving be as dangerous as that? Come to find out after alot of prying and blatantly asking her what the problem was about diving she told me. Her husband just recently passed while diving (had a coronary), so she said I could not have the completed form until I took a stress test and have my cholesterol checked and that would be approximately three weeks because, she wanted to make sure I had no coronary problems. My vital signs are always well within normal limits and even have an ekg run routinely just out of fun and always the same nothing wrong. I have never had any problems with any coronary problems nor do I think I will. Should I get another physical sheet and go to another doctor who is not biased and report her to the medical group she belongs too?

Welp - I certainly wouldn't report her to any group, etc... But I would question your selecting her to be the doctor to complete your fitness to dive physical. You'd typically want to search out a diving doctor, by referral from friends, instructors, or DAN - I'm making the assumption this is Sue Doctor - picked out of a phone book. Your post dosn't indicate how you went about being examined by her.. so I'm asuming the worst...

Figure out what your time is worth - you claim to be in great shape - if its not cramping your schedule - go on with it. If its a harship, scheduling, time, or money, call DAN - get a real diving doc and go see them.

Check out the PADI fitness to dive form, - the forms leads me to believe a stress test of 13 METS is sometimes warranted.

I got bent about two months ago. Went to the doc DAN referred me to the week after. For being a diving doctor - he really seemed to think no one had any business being underwater. Ran into another diver at DIR-F a few weeks later - and he got the exact same impression from the doc. Weird. I was kinda hoping DAN would at least send me to someone who at least appreciated and understood why it is we do what we do....

 

[wedivebc]

Welp - I certainly wouldn't report her to any group, etc... But I would question your selecting her to be the doctor to complete your fitness to dive physical. You'd typically want to search out a diving doctor, by referral from friends, instructors, or DAN - I'm making the assumption this is Sue Doctor - picked out of a phone book. Your post dosn't indicate how you went about being examined by her.. so I'm asuming the worst...

Figure out what your time is worth - you claim to be in great shape - if its not cramping your schedule - go on with it. If its a harship, scheduling, time, or money, call DAN - get a real diving doc and go see them.

Check out the PADI fitness to dive form, - the forms leads me to believe a stress test of 13 METS is sometimes warranted.

I got bent about two months ago. Went to the doc DAN referred me to the week after. For being a diving doctor - he really seemed to think no one had any business being underwater. Ran into another diver at DIR-F a few weeks later - and he got the exact same impression from the doc. Weird. I was kinda hoping DAN would at least send me to someone who at least appreciated and understood why it is we do what we do....

That is interesting. I had a military dive med doc tell me this year, "the more I learn about dive medicine the less inclined I am to certfy anyone fit to dive"
Is there something they aren't telling us?

 

[BigJetDriver]

That is interesting. I had a military dive med doc tell me this year, "the more I learn about dive medicine the less inclined I am to certfy anyone fit to dive"
Is there something they aren't telling us?

No, but it sounds like a typical saw-bones kind of comment!

 

[SubMariner]

I just went through a thorough physical for my Dive Control Specialist course. During the entire phys the doctor was being very indifferent when she found out the purpose of the physical. Questioning why I wanted to do something risky and dangerous. I politely told her that my main job in the military is to jump out of planes and save lives so, how could scuba diving be as dangerous as that? Come to find out after alot of prying and blatantly asking her what the problem was about diving she told me. Her husband just recently passed while diving (had a coronary), so she said I could not have the completed form until I took a stress test and have my cholesterol checked and that would be approximately three weeks because, she wanted to make sure I had no coronary problems. My vital signs are always well within normal limits and even have an ekg run routinely just out of fun and always the same nothing wrong. I have never had any problems with any coronary problems nor do I think I will. Should I get another physical sheet and go to another doctor who is not biased and report her to the medical group she belongs too?

No offense to your GP, but I find that most physicians, unless they are specifically trained in hyperbaric/dive medicine, know nothing about scuba or the physiology of the sport. Add to that this doctor's obvious bias, and you have the makings of a huge amount of time & effort that may not be warranted.

I would suggest consulting DAN (http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/) or Dr. Campbell AKA ScubaDoc (http://scuba-doc.com/) for a more qualified medical professional in your area.

JMHO,

 

[wedivebc]

No, but it sounds like a typical saw-bones kind of comment!

Actually after that response my GP contacted Dave Sawatzsky who was able to answer the question I initially asked the other guy.

 

[Squalus]

Welp - I certainly wouldn't report her to any group, etc... But I would question your selecting her to be the doctor to complete your fitness to dive physical. You'd typically want to search out a diving doctor, by referral from friends, instructors, or DAN - I'm making the assumption this is Sue Doctor - picked out of a phone book. Your post dosn't indicate how you went about being examined by her.. so I'm asuming the worst...

Had no choice being in the military in a remote location, we are assigned physcians to attend to our health needs. Believe me, if given the chance to select one then I would do it wisely by contacting DAN or going through my trainer.