Medical Release required once certified

[ItsBruce]

For what its worth, I've seen dive operators refuse to let divers dive when they answered "yes" to medical conditions on the release form. That happened to one person who put down that she had had an ear issue even though it was 10 years earlier.

Be guided accordingly.

 

[KazooDiver]

Tatakai,

I would defiantly consult your Neurosurgeon/Orthopod (Who ever did your surgery) about your carrying the amount of weight on your back. He/She maybe able to suggest things to do to avoid making your condition worse. Then again they may suggest not to dive.

I am surprised that this did not come up before you stared your class.

 

[DreamingOfScuba]

I have asthma so I take the original copy of my PADI medical form signed off and a copy for them to keep. I need to get the medical signed off once a year but its a small price to pay.

 

[billtodive]

I got run over by a deere when I was young. Three options:
1. carry copies of "No contraditions to diving" signed by MD.
2. Don't check any boxes 'yes'
3. Don't dive
That number 3 sucked royally, as I brought 3 people with me (and paid) for a discover scuba course; an yours truly snorkeled above.
Since I get checked by a dive MD.
Better yet, stay away from the deere!

 

[WasWild]

Iruka,

I found myself in the same situation several years ago in the Florida Keys. The dive operator told us ahead of time (on the phone) that they would require a medical release from a physician if any of the medical questions were checked "yes".

 

[DBailey]

I would never recommend anyone answer "no" to any of the questions that should be "yes" even if you are medically cleared to dive. In the event that something happens, the operator should inform the doctors what you answered "yes". It may have an impact on the emergency treatment. I wouldn't want to run the risk of being mistreated since I answered "no" to a question that should have been "yes".

As for the standard form, ask your dive shop for the RSTC Medical Statement and Guidlines for Recreational Scuba Diver's Physical Examine (6 pages long).

Page 1 - the medical statement with the yes/no question
Page 2 - student informatio, doctor information, doctor comments
Pages 3-5 - instructions to the doctors
Page 6 - references and endorsements.

The second page of it lists your information, your doctor's information, and then the section that they doctor says whether or not they'd recommend you for diving. This is the form that you'd take with you everywhere.

 

[Lissa2112]

All certification course require a medical questionnaire and doctors release when applicable. My concern is the diver who got certified 20 years ago and was healthy. Now, 20 years later may have developed cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma... any number of medical conditions that may limit safe diving. The waivers that are signed to dive (not new certification) typically just ask about "fitness to dive" not the medical questions included in the waivers for scuba classes. Without a medical clearance requirement for these individuals, preventable medical emergencies will happen.

Additionally, is the dive shop within it's rights to ask for a medical clearance from a diver who is 400 pounds, sweating profusely and short of breath while in the dive shop? Or do we just ask them to sign that they believe they are fit to dive and if they have a medical emergency while diving, the shop is released of any liability? And, would that waiver from the diver release the shop of liability. Seems to me that a medical questionnaire is a good idea for all divers but it seems that each dive shop has different requirements.

 

[rstofer]

Hello all, this is my first posting here. I have just started taking the PADI course and have done the first module and first 3 skills in the pool. My question is on the medical. I had back surgery this past April and wanted to ask if this would limit me or keep me from diving? I do have back pain but that is something that I will have from now on though. Thanks and look forward to hearing more and learning even more.

Tatakai

I don't know anything about diving in Tennessee or your proposed diving locations.

I would think that for cold water diving where you might have a 40# tank, 6# backplate, 2# regulator and 15-20# of weight on a weightbelt or harness that you would certainly have a problem, particularly if you have to do beach entries with a long walk through the parking lot, down the steps, across the beach and through the surf. Talk to your doctor!

Years ago I dove with someone who had just had back surgery. Our solution was to do only boat dives where they could don their BC in the water. Of course, this was warm water with a 6# (or less) weight belt.

The same thing works when diving from inflatables. Put your gear on in the water. Attach your BC to a tag line and toss it overboard (inflated, of course). Decide what to do about your weight harness. When I had hips and could use a weightbelt, I would tie it off to a tag line and toss it overboard as well. I would put on my BC for flotation and then don the weightbelt. This won't work for a weight harness. You may have to don the harness without weights in the pockets and install them just before you are ready to dive. In this regard, the SeaSoft harness with the removable net bags is a plus. The weights are inside bright orange net bags with a handle strap.

Talk to your trainers and see what options they have available.

Richard

 

[String]

Most european dive centres will ask you to fill in the medical form before going diving. If there's a year on the form they wont allow you to dive without the doctors note as well.

 

[captndale]

I always have my doctor execute a medical form for me when I have my annual physical. I make several copies and keep one in my dive log in case I need it. So far, I have never been asked for it by a dive operator but every time I have taken a diving class of any kind I have needed it.