Wow, it seems that I might have ruffled a few feathers with this thread.
First, let me explain a few things that I didn't make clear. Yes, we signed the paperwork for him to be in class. Did I read it, no, I didn't. My wife and I are both divers, and are aware of all of the risks associated with diving. We had already discussed the risks with my son, and were willing to accept it so we simply signed on the spots where it said guardian. If that makes me a bad parent in your eyes, so be it. My son is 16 years old, and we thought he was fully capable of filling out the rest of the form. Honestly, we haven't thought of the head injury since that summer, because he was given no limitations by his doctor, and has suffered no ill effects. To clarify, he did NOT lose consciousness, although he checked the line that indicated that he had. He misunderstood, and thought it was an either/or type of thing. I do realize that it doesn't matter at that point whether he did or did not lose consciousness, since he marked that he had. At this point I wouldn't take someone's word for it either since it would appear that they were back tracking. That is why I'm not arguing about whether he needed a physical or medical release.
Also, no, we did not have the required PADI/RSTC form filled out, just a general release form, signed by the doctor, stating that he could participate in all normal activities. When we spoke to the instructor the first time regarding the release form, he never mentioned a specific form, only that he needed "something" from the doctor that says he can participate in class.. When we went back to the dive shop to confirm that he received the fax from the Hospital, he said "this is exactly what I needed, he can stay in class". If he had explained the first time that there was a specific form that needed to be filled out, I would have been more understanding than when he called me the second time telling me that the faxed release form was not going to work.
I'm also not quite sure why some folks are up in arms about us dropping him off for class. We dropped him off for the classroom portion of class. Again, my wife and I are both divers, so, although it might have been a good review, we didn't find it necessary to babysit him through this portion of class. We already had plans to dive with the rest of the class during their check-outs. We did go inside and meet the instructor. The class was scheduled to be 11 people. Not everyone was there yet, we were early. The classroom was a dedicated room with lots of props, posters and books.
I have a couple of problems with this whole mess. First is that nowhere on the release paperwork does it state that a physical has to be within the year. I think someone else has already pointed this out in an earlier post. I do not agree with folks who arbitrarily pick and chose which regulations to follow, and which ones to be more strict on. If you're going to have more stringent guidelines than the certifying agency, why represent that agency at all? This particular instructor stated he needed a release less than a year old. This is above and beyond what PADI requires. If you're smarter than the folks who run the agency, for goodness sake, do all of us a favor, and try to get on their advisory board so that you can fill some of the gaps!
My second problem is that a physical is not required for anyone, except those who answer "yes" on any of those questions. I don't understand why its not required that EVERYONE who participates in a class has a physical. If I walk in off the street and want to take a class, and I don't say yes to any of those questions, then it is ASSUMED that I am in good enough condition to participate. This is with no doctors counsel, or diagnosis. When my son comes in, with a doctors note saying he can participate in normal activities, this isn't good enough. If SCUBA is not a "normal activity" then EVERYONE should be required to have a physical. Someone mentioned the litigious nature of our society now, and I totally agree, which is why I don't understand why everyone isn't required to have a physical. If I join a football league, its not a normal activity and they will REQUIRE a physical of all of their players.
I guess the remainder of my problems lie in how this particular operation is run. 2 hours after class starts we are contacted about his physical. I get a release faxed to the shop and I'm told that it is acceptable. Another hour after that, I'm called back and told the release will not work, and its not until I arrive to pick my son up that they tell me there's a particular form that needs to be filled out. If its so important, I don't understand why these yes/no questions aren't the first thing checked before class even starts! I'm a business owner myself, and I know that if I told my customers one thing, then another, then another, that I wouldn't be in business very long!
Since all of this happened, I've been wondering why in the world the industry doesn't require physicals on everyone prior to class. I guess its because if physicals were required, then attendance numbers would go down. Regardless of how your run your own class, how many OW classes are filled with folks on vacation who decide to learn to SCUBA on a whim. They are not going to take the time to get a physical while on vacation. If the certifying agencies were truly worried about diver health then their forms would be up to date (Thanks Jim for pointing out that they are out of date) and a physical would be required for all.
