Medical Diving Question

[PvilleStang]

I don't quite know if this is the spot to throw it, but what the hay...

My girlfriend wants to get certified, but there is one big problem... When she was young, she had some development problems. The doctors performed a catscan, and when they got the results back, there was a slight bit of calcification on ONE slice of the scan. Because of this, I have not been able to find information on Cerebrial Palsy and its effects during diving. I personally can't tell at this stage that she has any real problems, next to several SMALL things. But no instructor in his or her right mind in my area (Central Texas) will certify her without a doctor's note (which I stand by their decisions fully, being a DM and AI). The owner of my LDS is a former doctor, and he is also intrigued about the situation. I just want a few thoughts on this before I contact a neurologist.

 

[ScubaSixString]

I don't quite know if this is the spot to throw it, but what the hay...

My girlfriend wants to get certified, but there is one big problem... When she was young, she had some development problems. The doctors performed a catscan, and when they got the results back, there was a slight bit of calcification on ONE slice of the scan. Because of this, I have not been able to find information on Cerebrial Palsy and its effects during diving. I personally can't tell at this stage that she has any real problems, next to several SMALL things. But no instructor in his or her right mind in my area (Central Texas) will certify her without a doctor's note (which I stand by their decisions fully, being a DM and AI). The owner of my LDS is a former doctor, and he is also intrigued about the situation. I just want a few thoughts on this before I contact a neurologist.

MOST LDS's are going to require you to be cleared medically before certifying you. (I don't remember having to go through it 10 years ago, when i was certified, but then it took me 8 years for my c-card to show up ...so there you go )

Not sure what the specifics are between CP and diving, but non-diving doctors tend to be a bit leary about ANYTHING and diving. You get a DCS hit and a NON-DIVING doctor will likely tell you never to dive again.

 

[Pyrofish]

Try DAN, www.diversalertnetwork.org. They might be able to give you more info if you call the number on the site. They're very helpful even if you're not a member.
Jason

 

[DandyDon]

Try DAN, www.diversalertnetwork.org. They might be able to give you more info if you call the number on the site. They're very helpful even if you're not a member.
Jason

Good idea...

And ask a Mod to move this to the Medical forum. Request needs to come from thread originator.

 

[scubapolly]

You definatly need to get a Doc's approval, and DAN is a good place to start.
From your post it sounds like you know that, and are just hoping to get some opinions about if we think it is likely.
I doubt that CP in and of itself would automatically prevent her from being able to dive, instead I believe each of her symptoms would need to be looked at. If it is determined that she has diving limitations due to some of her symptoms, you can look into an HSA program.

Good Luck!

 

[slingshot]

"Calcification" on a CT scan can be a common finding, but the meaning varies considerably depending on where it is located, how extensive it is, and in what pattern it is distributed, in addition to other clinical factors. When consulting a physician or the people at DAN, it would be useful to have as much information about the abnormality on the CT scan as possible. I would therefore recommend that your significant other request a copy of the report generated by the radiologist, so that she may provide that to her doctor when seeking diving clearance.