Medical Approval Issues

[panzerbjorne]

Hi guys, new to the boards here but thought it would be a good place to ask about a problem I'm currently running into.

Some quick background: I am an experienced and previously certified open water diver and have completely forgotten who I was certified with and what happened to my c-card (probably got lost in a move). I haven't been on a dive in around 18 years though and I wanted to get back into it. Playing it safe, I decided to get re-certified locally through a PADI training facility.

The trouble is they require a pretty strict medical form and I have very mild, well-managed asthma and was honest and put a "Yes" on the medical questionnaire, so I was told I need a physician's approval. So I went to my doc and gave him the relevant forms and information required for review by PADI and after 10 minutes of reading through it and considering he shrugged and simply stated, "I don't feel comfortable signing-off on this because I know nothing about diving and the risks and this documentation is not thorough enough. In addition I'm not willing to take on the liability due to my ignorance." So he sent me to an asthma specialist for further investigation, where I was given spirometry tests and blood oxygen tests before and after strenuous exercise and I passed them both without any issue - but again they claimed no knowledge of diving so didn't feel comfortable signing-off on my forms either.

I can't possibly foresee any issues with me for diving. I have three hour-long cardio workouts religiously every week and once or twice a month I do 10k runs for charity or fundraising as well as being an avid cyclist and hiker. My asthma is basically non-existent and completely managed - I haven't had an attack in over 10 years, and even still I carry an emergency inhaler with me everywhere I go just in case. I'm all about safety and precautions and have thoroughly reviewed all of the risks and concerns for diving and don't feel there should be any issue that could cause increased risk for me.

So the questions are: Is it possible to find a doctor (in my insurance network) that is familiar with diving concerns who could approve my medical? If not, are there any diving certification programs or agencies that do not have this super-strict requirement for medical sign-off?

I'm an adult, I'm healthy and fit, I don't have any other of the indicated issues on the medical forms, my asthma is well-managed and may as well not even exist. It seems like I should be eminently qualified to make the decision about whether or not I'm fit for diving considering my doctors aren't even comfortable saying Aquaman should be diving. And if there ARE issues during training, arent the dive instructors trained in dealing with that? I would imagine that if you TRY diving and realize you can't handle it for any reason, they are there to assist you and you realize this is not the thing for you. Right?

 

[DoubleAA]

Call DAN and ask for a referral to a doctor that is experienced with dive medicine.
Phone
+1-919-684-2948
Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm EST.
+1-800-446-2671

 

[Pinecube]

DAN is defiantly worth the call. Your local dive shop may know a couple in your area as well.
DAN: Asthma and Scuba Diving

 

[tursiops]

All the certification agencies use essentially the same form. No loophole there.
Calling DAN is the best answer.
A second choice would be to keep trying different doctors.
A third choice is to answer NO to all the questions; this is NOT recommended, but people do it.

 

[panzerbjorne]

So I contacted DAN and they gave me a list of dive docs in my region. The only one in my insurance network requires a referral from my primary care physician, so I'll have to go back to him again and pay another doctor's visit fee just to be referred to this other doctor who is an hour away, and then pay for another specialist to check me out. By then (it takes 2-3 weeks to get appointments for each doc) the water's going to be real cold in Monterey!

This is all so ridiculous and I can see why lying on the form is a tempting option for folks. I'd rather do it right though and make sure I'm aces before I get into any trouble underwater, and I hate lying on forms - it feels like cheating.

The irony? So far it's looking like it will cost me more money in doctor's visits than the cost of OW re-certification. Wish I never lost my old c-card to begin with.

 

[BRT]

All the certification agencies use essentially the same form. No loophole there.
Calling DAN is the best answer.
A second choice would be to keep trying different doctors.
A third choice is to answer NO to all the questions; this is NOT recommended, but people do it.

Choice 3.

 

[uncfnp]

Your PCP is already aware of the issue and I assume sent you to the first specialist. I don't see why a simple phone call and request to see the other doc could not be honored with out the need for another visit to the PCP.

It sounds like you have not been on meds or treated for asthma in 10 years. Some might question if your current diagnosis of asthma is still valid.

 

[JohnN]

Choice 3.

Door #3. Take personal responsibility for your actions

 

[panzerbjorne]

It sounds like you have not been on meds or treated for asthma in 10 years. Some might question if your current diagnosis of asthma is still valid.

Ah, I said my asthma is well-managed, not untreated. I use nebulized albuterol as needed to manage my asthma symptoms prior to exercise or other strenuous activity. Because of preventative treatment, I have not had any asthma attacks for over 10 years. If there were any risk of an attack for any reason (not having my meds on-board) then I would never get in the water to begin with. But I'm zealous about keeping my meds with me at all times.

 

[Iralub]

If all the testing shows you don't really have an issue, if it was me, I'd just tick no on the form

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