JFTR, I am not squeamish about some little, or big personal detail. What I do not support is the requirement to divulge such info or hints I might have, to persons IMHO have no business requiring it and is my call to share, just as is not share.
As a child you want to play a sport. The school does not require a similar form which is clearly a perfect opportunity to just evade the point or purpose. The school does require the child visit their physician, for a professional opinion if this activity is suitable for the child. At least back when I was processing scads of them (tedious, time consuming and every parent complained at the cost of about $0.05 an hour.)
I use a prescription medicine; for one thing my insurance will pay for it and is considerably more expensive otherwise. So I needed the mommy note. What I did not resent was 2 doctors mind you, took the time to investigate if, knowing me; they did/could agree this activity was suitable for me personally i.e. not according to the form per se and only respond to; is this RX a no no for diving or not.
I get what the form intention is. What I don't get is why they think it really works more than on occasion.
So ok, maybe it is just a liability waver then? Back to square one the middle man -or the one with such document lying around forever who knows where.
As for the instructors ethics, or whatever. I'm not bashing you for feeling responsible for the health and safety for your students, far from it. And IMO you are well within your rights to pick and choose just whom you will be willing to possibly risk your life for.
I respond more constructively to positive reinforcement than negative. Positive would be; have a sit down conversation with a potential student to discuss learning to dive is not just hoping on a bike with training wheels. There are risks that should be considered before investing in the required education, to be allowed to dive pretty much anywhere. Introduction of examples such as medical aspects we do not know yet are affected by diving and those that are. Educate adults giving them credit to make adult, educated choices.
Hint, hint; pregnancy = gee, maybe I'd better wait until I'm not trying to get preggers. Maybe I am??? Rather than, having to tell strangers you are in the throes of wanting a baby without success and hoping the magic will happen on that south seas vacation you've been saving up for. Or, not willing to and just saying nope, not pregnant (yet.)
Please tell me if you are mental patient.
Ok, go ahead and call it a learning disability, I'm still not teaching you is to me, confrontational. And I will respond accordingly. I seriously doubt many people will freely admit to total strangers they are under any psychiatric care, suffer panic attacks, yet will readily admit sometimes they feel panicky.
"Some emotional responses are not compatible with the underwater environment."
Oh? Like what?
Tendency to panic, uncontrollable responses can be dangerous to a diver and buddies.
Ok, good to know that. I'll think about that one. Wait! So if I did that, you have to do the same bad thing! (Don't like the sound of that, I'm a nice person, sure don't want to harm anyone.) Let's talk more about this for a minute.
How do I get more advice?
And if you think this is a stupid discussion, why are you participating? You are not required to. Gee, how often do you pull that at gatherings, walk up and say, "you guys are stupid", and stand there?
Come to think of it, the vision brings a smile.
Mahalo.