There could also be an arguement that the clearance should be completed by their PCP. Should be a lot harder to lie and omit when its right there in their medical records. Easy eough for the PCP to then require specialist followup and clearence for any red flags. IMHO this is the way it should work in an ideal society.
Yes/No requirement for Med form
- Thread starter tridacna
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Im nopt sure at all that that is the issue. Reason only says that to take a course you have to be safely able to do it. The instructor can not stick his legal neck out to provide a service. A potential student of a young age group should have no problems. the questions are asked to verify no problems . If possible problems are given you send them for a professional opinion because neither the student or the instructor is a doctor. Its pretty simple you tell me what your problems are and I will see if the agency requires a professional evaluation and clearnence prior to starting class. Someone in their 50's perhaps statistically have problems that the student probably does not know about so you have them get a training exam form a doctor any way. I agree it is alll about safety for not just the student bot for the other students as well including the instructor.
purbeast
Contributor
I was pointed to this thread based on a post in the newbie forum. I wanted to give a brief history of my experience as someone who has asthma and has only dove 2 times. My asthma is controlled very well and I haven't really had any asthma "symptoms" in 10+ years, although I'm still on a daily med (that I take maybe 3x a week, supposed to take 2x a day). I also am active and do intense weight lifting exercises 4x a week.
I went to someone who performs dive physicals based on DAN. He was the only one anywhere close to the DC Metro area. After going to 5 different doctors to get the tests/xrays he required, he still would not pass me even though I clinincally didn't even show signs of asthmatic. He basically said he never clears anyone with asthma, and let me know that before I did all my tests, but he told me to basically put NO on the form because clinically my lungs are like people without asthma.
So I did that on a little resort dive in Cancun, and everything went well.
Fast forward 6 years to last fall, I went to the Keys to do a DSD program with some buddies. Again I put NO on the form and we did 2 1 tank dives, and everything was fine again.
And now I am planning on getting certified.
I went to the orientation for the class I plan on taking and he told me that regardless of answering NO to all questions, when you go to do the checkout dives to get certified, you need to have a medical waiver signed. Prior to hearing that, I had debated answering NO since a DAN recommended doctor who is a SCUBA diver and does dive physicals told me to do that, but after this, I decided that I'm going to answer YES to the asthma question (and allergy one) and get cleared.
Part of the reason I wanted to answer YES as well is because I'd rather the dive instructors and the companies know that yes, he does have asthma, so IF something were to go wrong, maybe that could point them in a direction.
I'm still in the process of trying to get cleared and have my 3rd doctors appointment tomorrow to do some breathing tests, and I'm hoping and pretty confident that after that, I'll get cleared and I will be able to take the class and do the dives.
In another thread, someone mentioned that waivers "expire" after a year however I was unable to find any information out about that, so I'm curious if anyone knows. If I have to go through this process annually, even after I get certified, it's going to be quite a hassle.
I went to someone who performs dive physicals based on DAN. He was the only one anywhere close to the DC Metro area. After going to 5 different doctors to get the tests/xrays he required, he still would not pass me even though I clinincally didn't even show signs of asthmatic. He basically said he never clears anyone with asthma, and let me know that before I did all my tests, but he told me to basically put NO on the form because clinically my lungs are like people without asthma.
So I did that on a little resort dive in Cancun, and everything went well.
Fast forward 6 years to last fall, I went to the Keys to do a DSD program with some buddies. Again I put NO on the form and we did 2 1 tank dives, and everything was fine again.
And now I am planning on getting certified.
I went to the orientation for the class I plan on taking and he told me that regardless of answering NO to all questions, when you go to do the checkout dives to get certified, you need to have a medical waiver signed. Prior to hearing that, I had debated answering NO since a DAN recommended doctor who is a SCUBA diver and does dive physicals told me to do that, but after this, I decided that I'm going to answer YES to the asthma question (and allergy one) and get cleared.
Part of the reason I wanted to answer YES as well is because I'd rather the dive instructors and the companies know that yes, he does have asthma, so IF something were to go wrong, maybe that could point them in a direction.
I'm still in the process of trying to get cleared and have my 3rd doctors appointment tomorrow to do some breathing tests, and I'm hoping and pretty confident that after that, I'll get cleared and I will be able to take the class and do the dives.
In another thread, someone mentioned that waivers "expire" after a year however I was unable to find any information out about that, so I'm curious if anyone knows. If I have to go through this process annually, even after I get certified, it's going to be quite a hassle.
Your possible instructor who demanded a signature even with all NO answers is at least usual if not out of line, in the US. Others countries may require a medical no MGB matter what.
Yes, the signature is only good for 12 months.
Yes, the signature is only good for 12 months.
purbeast
Contributor
He didn't demand a signature for NO answers to all questions, he said when we did the checkout dives (which would be in Grand Cayman if I went with the glass) that they require the medical waiver no matter what.
Is there wording on PADI's site about the medical form only being valid for 12 months? I couldn't find anything from searching.
I doubt that is true, or you may have misunderstood. What the Cayman operators would require on the "referral" is a copy of your medical statement, including a signature if you had any YES answers.
I don't know if that is on the consumer site or not, but it is definitely on the pro site and in the class standards and in the Instructor Manual.
purbeast
Contributor
@tridacna It’s interesting how you can read a form many times and then read it again and see something you missed before.
“You must complete this Medical Statement, which includes the medical questionnaire section, to enroll in the scuba training program.“ (Underlying added)
To me, FWIW, this sounds like PADI does require the questions be answered since that is the questionaire section.
“You must complete this Medical Statement, which includes the medical questionnaire section, to enroll in the scuba training program.“ (Underlying added)
To me, FWIW, this sounds like PADI does require the questions be answered since that is the questionaire section.
I don’t know about PADI but the instructor themselves require it to be within a year, at least the ones I have had including SDI, TDI and PSAI.
But once you are cleared, your provider should only need a repeat complete evaluation if for some reason the situation/condition has changed. Otherwise he/she should be able to do a routine checkup and just sign off. Of course, ultimately it’s up to the medical professional.
purbeast
Contributor
Well I'm going to be getting certified within a year for sure and this is a question for after being in a class and passing it. I'll be within that time frame for the class where I'll have an instructor.
My concern is when I go to the Caribbean in 2-3 years after and dive through a company, and they have me fill out that form and I put YES for having asthma. Can I show my old form or in that case will I need another one that is within a year of being signed?
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