medical waiver question

[RJTY]

My girlfriends brother is excited to start his basic ow class. About five years ago, he had a whole in his eardrum from a minor operation. He snorkels now and is able to equalize fine, but he needs to get a medical waiver signed for class. The problem is, all the ENT's in the Orlando area will only take insurance patients. He doesnt have any, but he is willing to pay cash for a Dr. visit. Can a walk in clinic sign this waiver or does it have to be an ENT?

Thanks,

 

[RJTY]

Ok...Let me please rephrase this question. I now have the full story. The prodedure he had done about five years ago was a Mastoidectomy. He had tubes in at this time. The tubes are gone and he can equalize fine. So, would he still need a medical waiver? If so, does it have to be an ENT?

Thanks,

 

[Scottri]

The waiver does not require an EMT to sign it. Any MD can sign it but I would recommend that he sees an EMT to be sure he won't have problems. Another resource would be the Divers Alert Network. You can call them for any questions as well as finding a Dive Doctor in your area.

 

[Michael Schlink]

EMT-Emergency Medical TechniciaN-can't sign waiver
ENT-Ear Nose Throat-doctor who specilaizes-can but does not have to sign the waiver, a general MD can
If he answered yes to the medical condition on the form then YES he MUST have a DOCTOR sign "off" on the condition, but any doctor of medicine can

 

[SDAnderson]

I have a hard time believing that no ENT in the Orlando area is willing to accept a patient holding a fistful of dollars but the suggestion to call DAN is an excellent one. He should join DAN (if he isn't already a member) and give them a call for and discuss his condition and see about a local referral for a consultation: 800.446.2671 www.diversalertnetwork.org

 

[RJTY]

I have a hard time believing that no ENT in the Orlando area is willing to accept a patient holding a fistful of dollars but the suggestion to call DAN is an excellent one. He should join DAN (if he isn't already a member) and give them a call for and discuss his condition and see about a local referral for a consultation: 800.446.2671 www.diversalertnetwork.org

Well, I should not have said all the ENT's...Just all the ones he has called. The more research I have done the last few days, I think he should see an ENT. Its not just a simple case off ear tubes. This is what I have told him, hopefuly he will listen. I believe he did listen to everyones advice and call Dan.

 

[Walter]

but any doctor of medicine can

Almost. I can't speak for other agencies, but I imagine they are the same as YMCA in this regard. YMCA accepts both MDs and DOs, but in no case may the doctor signing the medical clearance be the student. A doctor in the class cannot sign their own medical clearance.

 

[SDAnderson]

Almost. I can't speak for other agencies, but I imagine they are the same as YMCA in this regard. YMCA accepts both MDs and DOs, but in no case may the doctor signing the medical clearance be the student. A doctor in the class cannot sign their own medical clearance.

What, no D.D.'s?

 

[DiverDuane]

Call DAN, I'm a diabetic, and when my general DR wouldn't sign me off I contacted DAN. They put me in contact with a DAN Dr. who gave me a complete physical and interview before signing me off. It cost me $300, and was well worth it. The main thing is I had a DR. that understands Dive medicine, my DR. was affraid to sign me off because she didn't understand it.

DiverDuane

 

[Walter]

What's a DD?