Heretical thoughts on the diver's medical form

[lowflyer]

Agree with you. Not sure what you meant by you will not sign these forms..... You mean for yourself as a vacationing diver or for folks you are looking after as a DM? Either way, don't these forms have to be signed for any diving to take place?

I meant that I will not sign a form for someone who answered yes to an item on his form and therefor needs a doctor's sign-off, with the exception noted. Sure, I'll sign my own form. I certainly won't sign a form for a student or someone I might be guiding or anyone else I haven't done a thorough and recent history and physical on.

 

[TMHeimer]

I meant that I will not sign a form for someone who answered yes to an item on his form and therefor needs a doctor's sign-off, with the exception noted. Sure, I'll sign my own form. I certainly won't sign a form for a student or someone I might be guiding or anyone else I haven't done a thorough and recent history and physical on.

Gotcha.

 

[uncfnp]

As a medical professional, why would you even consider taking anyone's word for anything.

What do you propose as an alternative?

Secondly, this form should only be signed, after a complete medical examination/physical has been performed, and a patient medical history has been reviewed.

Define “complete.”

 

[Julius SCHMIDT]

But the best would be to find yourself a place like this with no one for miles and go diving

Now that's diving

Remember to be responsible

 

[AfterDark]

Why not psychological testing to be sure the candidate is mentally fit to dive. I've dove with some crazy bastards in my time!

 

[Rose Robinson]

What do you propose as an alternative?

Define “complete.”

UN,

Without professional input, and further documentation/addendum(s), the document is only a checklist.

Complete, is as complete as the signing/authorizing professional deems necessary.

How many ''prospective'' divers do you think lie while check-listing this form? I am sure the percentage is high, and who is the applicant lying to, not the dive shop/instructor/agency, the applicant is lying to him/herself.

One of the reasons some prospectives leave the sport very quickly. You can lie to yourself in a classroom, not so much at 100 ft.

Could also be one of the reasons, annual world wide dive fatalities are as high as they are.

Rose.

 

[dmaziuk]

Could also be one of the reasons, annual world wide dive fatalities are as high as they are.

Could be the annual dive fatalities are as high as they are simply because if you flip a million coins, a few are bound to land on the edge.

 

[boulderjohn]

Annual dive fatality numbers are actually pretty low.

The largest group of dive fatalities, though, is medical related, mostly heart attacks.

Heart attacks are also the major cause of fatalities on golf courses and in bowling alleys.

 

[Rose Robinson]

Could be the annual dive fatalities are as high as they are simply because if you flip a million coins, a few are bound to land on the edge.

Coins aren't trained, neither do they lie.

Rose.

 

[ScuberDuber]

Why not just have them sign a generic release form? Here you go:

Diving can kill or injure you. If you die or are in any way injured by your free choice to come diving with us, that is all on you. We have no obligation to prevent you from being injured or killed and no obligations to pay for anything or do anything if you happen to be injured or killed today.