PCP would not sign off.

[hambleto]

DocVikingo,
Thank you again for your input and knowledge. I did not mean to ask you to make an assessment about me personally on the Internet. I apologize for wording it the way that I did. I had meant only to ask if the confined water dive was safer and less likely to cause problems for people in general. In my opinion it is a controlled environment with a small group of people learning while being watched, helped, and supervised by trained professionals.

Personally, I have done the discover scuba experience in a pool of 15’ and found it to be a heavenly feeling and was not under any strain. I understand that a pool is far far safer than the open water and that is why I am asking my doctor to allow me to complete this portion of my training now. I have explained to him the general run of the pool portion as well as the fact that there will be certified instructors and dive masters there the entire time. I only can hope that he will allow me to do this portion of my training now.

As son as I find anything I will post it. Once again, thank you for your time and knowledge.
Sincerely,
Ben Hambleton

 

[large_diver]

Ben,

All of us here on scubaboard are addicted to diving at one level or another, so we all feel your pain of not being cleared to dive right away.

One point that came to mind about gear -- I would not buy any more gear at this point, not only because you still need to get medical clearance, but also because your body is going to change quite a bit if you lose 80 more lbs.

Good luck and keep us posted. I was all proud of myself for losing 25+ lbs recently.....but your weight loss puts my puny total to shame.

Now I just need to convince my wife that I need a new dry suit since my wetsuit has all this extra room...;-)

-Chris
aka not_as_large_diver

 

[DocVikingo]

(nt)

 

[Saturation]

Hi BH:

A quick solution to your immediate problem is call DAN for names of diving physicians in your area, whether in DE, PA or NJ ... choose which is closest to you. There are many such physicians in the region, and one of the most established, Fred Bove, MD is at Temple.

You need to convince your LMD or get clearance from another MD. Either way, it seems prudent to get such a statement given a young person on hypertensive medications is unusual.

 

[hambleto]

Well, my doctor approved my to do the pool work and the classroom section before he went on vacation. Unfortunately, he modified the PADI form when the LDS will not accept. I contacted PADI and found out something I should have looked into to begin with. PADI does not accept conditional approval. So, either my doctor or a doctor will have to approve me to completely dive or I can not dive at all. Since my doctor is on vacation and will not be back till after my class is supposed to start, I am going to see the doctor covering for him (Since they have access to my medical history). I will discus my issues and ask the advice of the covering doctor. I have also located a doctor in Philadelphia who specializes in dive medicine and does complete physicals for people interested in diving. I may ask the doctor covering if they feel I should and will allow me to see this doctor. If the doctor covering for my doctor says no than I will just wait till my PCP approves me. If I am allowed to see the specialist and they say no I will wait also. Either way I know that it is in my best interest. Plus, I also realize that once I loose the weight and am off the medicine I do not need the doctor’s approval at all.

I may not get to dive in January in Florida as I hoped, but there will always be other days and other places to dive. I thank you all for your time and consideration.
Thank you,
Ben Hambleton

 

[raviepoo]

I could have told you that there is no such thing as conditional approval. If your doctor signs off on your med form he is signing off on your fitness to dive. Period.

Why don't you just get a copy of your medical records and go to a dive medecine specialist as I suggested earlier? I trust that your doctor has your best interests at heart, but he might not know enough about diving to make an informed decision. He might be spot on. It might really be an unacceptable risk for you to dive. But there is also a chance that he is being overly cautious due to personal concerns.

Go to the specialist. Don't lie about your condition just to get clearance. But give yourself an opportunity to be evaluated by someone who is fully informed and fully objective.

 

[divemed06]

Hi Ben,

I must commend you on your weight loss! You've taken a big step in your life and you'll be much healthier for it. I know how hard it is to put a lot of effort into something and than have your PCP not sign off the medical form. Here are my 2 cents worth...I'm a 24 years old, 6'3, 310lbs male scuba diver!!! I'm also a medical student. That being said, the fact that you weigh 280lbs in itself is most likely not the only reason your physician didn't sign off your form. Scuba diving, no matter what the environment, is physically taxing. If you require hyportensive drug therapy to control your blood pressure at your age, you are at a higher risk of developing cardio-vascular diseases (I'm sure you now this). That being said, your PCP has to look at your global health picture and determine wether or not the risk of scuba diving for you is low, moderate or high (there is no such thing as 0 risk!). H eprobably thinks (with reason) that for the time being the risk is moderate to high.Lastly, don't worry about not being able to dive in January....you are young and have the possibility of having a lifelong love affair with this sport...there really is no rush! Take care of your mind, body and spirit like you have been, and you will enjoy every moment of life that much more....

 

[hambleto]

Thank you all for your input. I have done a lot of thinking and I realize that if I have to wait, I will wait. I hope that you do not mind me still lurking around, reading, and learning before I am able to dive. But I know have my mind set on something. I will achieve my goal. I am still going to talk to the doc tomorrow, but if they still say no, I will wait till they say o.k. Besides, my work out partner is going to kill me. Normally I play racket ball for 30 mins a night 3-4 nights a week. (That pretty much wears me out) However tonight I decided to hit the bike for 20 mins then the rowing machine for 15 mins, then play racket ball for the normal time. My work out partner nearly keeled over. I am confident if I keep this up, then I will hit my goal sooner than later.
Once again, I thank you all for your support, compliments, insight, and well wishes. I hope to see you someday either above or below the water.
Take care,
Ben