medically cleared question

[kennedy]

I am doing a live aboard trip in the Fall - I am a type 1 diabetic - insulin dep - 40 years - never, ever, do I not make it totally clear I am such - all my buddies are trained on what to do if my sugar should drop - I test my sugar before and after each and every dive - keep supplies right in my dry bag - and liquid glucose in my bcd - and my dive buddies bcd pocket too. I have over 300 dives - and I don't take any chances - there will always be a next dive - why risk it. So......with that out of the way - initially the boat told me my "treating doctor" could sign a release for me. Which was fine - I told the group - we made deposits - air etc - and all excited. I verified with the boat last week on "my treating doctor" (sent email in which they said that along) and NOW they tell me a SPUMS doc has to clear me.

Does any one know the details on this? I looked at the list - they all appear to be Australian docs - does this mean a doc who knows nothing about me - except what I chose to tell them in my 10 minute visit will decided in that time if they feel I am "medically cleared"? Or is it a full blown exam - blood work etc? I'm really stressed over this - as you all know - the trip is not cheap - what if I lay down the 5-6k to do the trip and they tell me I can't dive?

Any one been through this? Thank you for your input!

 

[kennedy]

duplicate post

 

[fisherdvm]

I would find another liveaboard. Less headache. Perhaps you can send them a waiver of responsibility, that might satisfy them.

 

[VK2ICJ]

Hello SD, I'm fairly new to the board here so if it is glaringly obvious where you are from please forgive. I assume you are not in Oz as you would have had a SPUMS doc clear you from the get go. From what I can tell talking to the shops here is that they won't do any training or trips without a SPUMS medical that is within 12 months. Australia is really over certificate happy. You have to have at a minimum 2 certificates just to hold the slow / stop signs for road construction crews hahaha. At anyrate have you asked them to provide you with a list in your part of the world of suitable docs? I'm not sure if SPUMS is an Australian thing or not. I never heard of it before moving here. Surely they have run into this before.

Chris

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Kennedy,

As you may recall, I spent a great deal of time discussing this with you some time ago on another SB forum.

The short answer to your question is, yes, an AU medical referee will have to give the final okay. I'd suggest that you take along pertinent medical records and a letter from your treating physician outlining the important findings and clearing you to dive. Hopefully the OZ doc will read these, take a brief history and do a brief exam, collect his/her fee, and clear you for scuba.

As regards, "I'm really stressed over this - as you all know - the trip is not cheap - what if I lay down the 5-6k to do the trip and they tell me I can't dive?," a DAN or similar dive medical policy will cover this unanticipated situation.

Best of luck.

DocVikingo

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Chris (and Kennedy),

SPUMS is the South Pacific Underwater Medical Society. Founded in the early '70s, its objectives include encouraging and publishing research and providing education and training in underwater and hyperbaric medicine.

SPUMS is an "Australian thing" in that its hqs are in Victoria and their journal is compiled and published there. However, all qualified individuals worldwide are invited to join, participate and contribute. I regard the Society quite highly.

The SPUMS Diving Medical itself was developed largely by SPUMS and essentially forms the standards for dive medical examinations in OZ. This includes those seeking certification and those with certain medical conditions who wish to dive in AU (it's the law in Queensland, but most other OZ States and Territories also follow the Standard).

As I explained to Kennedy at an earlier inquiry in mid-summer of '06, overseas dive medicals or diver fitness certificates very likely will not be accepted unless the assessment certificate clearly and specifically states that the dive medical was carried out to the Australian Standard AS4005.1. An AS4005-1 typically runs between $55 and $75 depending upon where one goes in the country.

If you or Kennedy would like the names of providers, just let me know the city/area in OZ.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Gene_Hobbs]

just let me know the city/area in OZ.

Thanks Doc!

Just to add to this a little, the SPUMS web site also contains contact information for their physicians. This is an excellent organization whose publication ranks highly on my reading list. Their abstracts are searchable through Ovid SPORTDiscus (NOTE that there is a cost to use Ovid, UHMS members can request searches through Duke). Their past articles are also available for sale through their site.

 

[kennedy]

Doc- I'll take whatever help you can give! I've tried 2 docs listed on the SPUMS site that are in FL - and was told by both offices - "they don't think the doctor does that" - I've left messages for a call back.

It's my own fault for taking the one boat's "your doctor" over the other 3 boats "SPUM" doctor - I took it on their initial word.

I will be in Sydney for a few days prior to my trip to Cairns. If you have any suggestions for a doc in Sydney - let me know. I could just pick one off the list too -

Thank you for your help.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Kennedy,

Yes, just because a physician is a SPUMS member, or even has completed SPUMS approved training in Underwater Medicine, doesn't mean they actually practice diving medicine. Moreover, most SPUMS physician members who practice diving medicine outside of OZ, New Zealand and immediate environs have no idea what AS4005.1 is, much less what, precisely, it involves.

As matters appear to stand at present, obtaining an Australian Diving Medical may be your best bet.

In Cairns

Dr Graham Simpson, Flecker House, 5 Upward Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4031 4095
McLeod Street Medical, 67 McLeod Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4052 1583
Dr Greg Crafter, Flecker House, 5 Upward Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4041 2066
Cairns City Medical Centre, Cnr Grafton & Florence Streets, Cairns - Phone 07 4052 1119
Cairns Central Medical Centre, McLeod Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4031 3717
Barrier Reef Medical Centre, 377 Sheridan Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4051 6299
Cairns Sports Medicine, 126 Mulgrave Rd, Cairns - Phone 07 4051 3944
Cairns Tourist & Local Medical Services, 15 Lake Street, Cairns - Phone 07 4041 1699

In Sydney

Practitioners begin at the bottom of the page and continue

http://www.spums.org.au/diving_dr/list?cid=5&pid=0&rp=14&search=1

Best of luck.

DocVikingo

 

[DocVikingo]

Perhaps you can send them a waiver of responsibility, that might satisfy them.

Hi fisherdvm,

Sorry, mate, but very unlikely that suggestion will fly. OZ dive ops, most notably those in Queensland, have for about the past 5 years been under heavy gov't pressure regarding diving medicals. This largely is due to a number of somewhat high profile diver deaths as a result of diving (and snorkeling) with medical conditions. Only about two years ago QLD fended off some rather Draconian gov't-proposed diving medical regulations.

Regards,

DocVikingo