Past Medical Issues

[Rochester_Smitty]

I am getting ready to start my OW cert process and am getting ready to do the medical clearance. I did have 3 hernia repairs in my past. I also had vertigo about 3 years ago after doing a touch and go during a flight to Chicago where there were very high winds. I have had no issues or symptoms since.

What is everyone's experience with the medical certification process and does anyone feel my past medical conditions will be of concern for the physician.

Thanks!!

 

[TMHeimer]

If you're doing a PADI course it's simple. You fill out the medical form and answer yes or no to lots of questions. If you have one or more "yes" answers you must have a written OK from a doctor. If you answer all "nos" you need no note, exam by a Dr., etc. Perhaps you already know all this. Since you may be seeing a Dr. anyway, just ask about the 2 conditions. If your Dr. is not too familiar with scuba diving it may be good to find one who is. My uneducated opinion is that the hernia repairs won't matter unless your ability to walk with tank on back is restricted. You probably can only figure out if the vertigo thing will be a problem by actually diving. It is not unsual for many divers to experience vertigo now and again.
But explain it all to the Doctor.

 

[knotical]

And you can get some insight relating to the recommendations for various conditions in this six-page document, used by PADI:
http://www.wrstc.com/downloads/10 - Medical Guidelines.pdf

 

[CamG]

Greetings Smitty follow the appropriate channels and paperwork with medical professionals and then enjoy your training.
I find that once you are cleared and have spoken to a medical professional it helps to relieve a bit of stress.
This helps facilitate training for both student and instructor, it is actually quite liberating.
Training can be stressful enough with out the additions of medical issues.

A cleared health form is a beautiful thing!
I know divers that have had some health issues that have been cleared and consulted with Divers Alert Network D.A.N. to help them to calibrate their diving.
You should be fine but only a medical professional can clear you so good luck.

CamG

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Hernia repair should be no issue at all. The vertigo may be another matter. Best to have a "real" health check up, whihc all wise people do, TMHeimer's sarcasm nothwithstanding. Sadly, he is right. Some people do not take their health seriously, and as a result endangeer themselves, but worse, they endanger others. Get checked out.
DivemasterDennis

 

[TSandM]

You asked if a doctor would have problems with the issues you mention. If the hernias were repaired and the repairs are solid, they should not present a problem. If the vertigo was an isolated event, it shouldn't, either -- but if you got vertigo in reduced visibility while flying an airplane, be aware you may be susceptible to it in low viz while diving, too.

 

[freewillie]

A surgically repaired hernia is not a contraindication to dive unless there is a continuing problem or defect with the repair. As long as your surgeon cleared you postoperatively for full activity.

A single isolated episode of vertigo is also not a contraindication to dive as long as there have been no ongoing complaints/or symptoms and there has not been a recurrence of vertigo. The other question for vertigo would be if there was/or is an underlying condition such as sinus congestion or history of trauma that would predispose a person to vertigo then those factors need to be addressed.

Otherwise good luck!

 

[TMHeimer]

Hernia repair should be no issue at all. The vertigo may be another matter. Best to have a "real" health check up, whihc all wise people do, TMHeimer's sarcasm nothwithstanding. Sadly, he is right. Some people do not take their health seriously, and as a result endangeer themselves, but worse, they endanger others. Get checked out.
DivemasterDennis

Actually, I took a course or two with a shop (not my own) where they said "Well, if you answer yes to anything you need a Dr's. note. If not, you're good to go". It was sort of implied I should just blindly check all No. Wonder how often this happens?

 

[toddthecat]

The vertigo issue sounds like an isolated event. If you find a pilot who has told you he/she hasn't had vertigo at some point, especially if flying IFR, then they're lying. If you were in a Cessna 152/172/182 then that experience sounds totally normal. I was totally twisted out of my mind when I flew IFR conditions (with an instructor of course) under the hood for the first few times. I wouldn't worry about that.

Not sure about other agencies but PADI does ask about hernias. Like mentioned, if you can carry gear without a problem then it should be fine. I don't see that as being a diving issue.

---------- Post added September 6th, 2013 at 05:40 PM ----------

Actually, I took a course or two with a shop (not my own) where they said "Well, if you answer yes to anything you need a Dr's. note. If not, you're good to go". It was sort of implied I should just blindly check all No. Wonder how often this happens?

Well they were telling the honest truth about it. A 'yes' is a trip to the Dr. A 'no' means we can start right off the bat. That's factual information worth sharing to students.