9 replies to this topic

[Madsmiley]

1)What exactly is involved in this??
2)How does it differ from a regular physical????
3)How do you go about finding a local doctor that can do this???

Reason Im asking,is that I want to do some volunteer work down at the Moody Gardes Aquarium on their dive team and I have to "pass or provide a current dive physical that meets AASU standards completed within the last 2 years"

So far my diving physical has constisted of not drowning myself or dive buddy and not taking any nitrogen hits

[pir8]

See your LDS for the complete standard medical form that they use for specialties. Its actually about 6 pages long cause the last 4 pages are instructions for your doctor.

[Madsmiley]

See your LDS for the complete standard medical form that they use for specialties. Its actually about 6 pages long cause the last 4 pages are instructions for your doctor.

Thanks,will check with a few of the local shops and see what they have

[ScubaPunk]

One of our moderators, Sudsymark, is a volunteer at Moody Gardens. I'll bet she could tell you what is involved, if you drop her a note.

[shadragon]

1)What exactly is involved in this??
2)How does it differ from a regular physical????
3)How do you go about finding a local doctor that can do this???

From the DAN web site:

Pre-Dive Physical Examination

Dive instructors send their students to physicians when they want more information about that individual's health. The most common reason for referral is that a student has a diagnosed medical condition or is under the care of a physician. The evaluation is simply an assessment of compatibility for scuba with various medical conditions. If you have questions about your fitness to dive, or if you need evaluation by a diving doctor, DAN can provide you with a list of specialists in your area. Simply call the DAN Dive Safety and Medical Information Line at (919) 684-2948 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Other reasons a diving student may be asked to see a doctor include (but are not limited to):

* a history of heart or lung disease;
* an unexplained loss of consciousness or "blackout";
* a history of nausea or vomiting;
* the use of prescription or non-prescription medications;
* shortness of breath;
* repeated trouble clearing air spaces;
* the appearance of not being physically fit.

No upper age limit for participation in scuba diving exists, provided a diver is healthy and fit and has no disqualifying medical conditions. Some divers may be asked by their physician to perform an exercise tolerance test to rule out any cardiovascular (heart) problems - this is appropriate when the diver is older or appears generally out of shape. This test allows a physician to collect information about how well an individual responds to exercise.

Reason Im asking,is that I want to do some volunteer work down at the Moody Gardes Aquarium on their dive team and I have to "pass or provide a current dive physical that meets AASU standards completed within the last 2 years"

I went to AASU and did a search through their available on-line materials. While there are several references to medical checks and drug screening they do not provide a "standards" list for a physical. The 6 page medical Pir8 referred to is a PADI form found here. It is comprehensive, basically a general physical concentrating on air spaces (lungs, ears, sinus, etc.) so it should be acceptable, but even their HR department does not have key documents available so it is impossible to say. It SHOULD be OK, but check with them directly before going through the trouble. It costs me money here. The physical is free under Medicare, but as the doctor has to sign the form he charges me $75 for his signature...

[WreckWench]

WOW! Great informative post Simon!

[Madsmiley]

1)What exactly is involved in this??
2)How does it differ from a regular physical????
3)How do you go about finding a local doctor that can do this???

From the DAN web site:

Pre-Dive Physical Examination

Dive instructors send their students to physicians when they want more information about that individual's health. The most common reason for referral is that a student has a diagnosed medical condition or is under the care of a physician. The evaluation is simply an assessment of compatibility for scuba with various medical conditions. If you have questions about your fitness to dive, or if you need evaluation by a diving doctor, DAN can provide you with a list of specialists in your area. Simply call the DAN Dive Safety and Medical Information Line at (919) 684-2948 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Other reasons a diving student may be asked to see a doctor include (but are not limited to):

* a history of heart or lung disease;
* an unexplained loss of consciousness or "blackout";
* a history of nausea or vomiting;
* the use of prescription or non-prescription medications;
* shortness of breath;
* repeated trouble clearing air spaces;
* the appearance of not being physically fit.

No upper age limit for participation in scuba diving exists, provided a diver is healthy and fit and has no disqualifying medical conditions. Some divers may be asked by their physician to perform an exercise tolerance test to rule out any cardiovascular (heart) problems - this is appropriate when the diver is older or appears generally out of shape. This test allows a physician to collect information about how well an individual responds to exercise.

Reason Im asking,is that I want to do some volunteer work down at the Moody Gardes Aquarium on their dive team and I have to "pass or provide a current dive physical that meets AASU standards completed within the last 2 years"

I went to AASU and did a search through their available on-line materials. While there are several references to medical checks and drug screening they do not provide a "standards" list for a physical. The 6 page medical Pir8 referred to is a PADI form found here. It is comprehensive, basically a general physical concentrating on air spaces (lungs, ears, sinus, etc.) so it should be acceptable, but even their HR department does not have key documents available so it is impossible to say. It SHOULD be OK, but check with them directly before going through the trouble. It costs me money here. The physical is free under Medicare, but as the doctor has to sign the form he charges me $75 for his signature...

Thank you so much for posting that link,its exactly the information I was looking for

[Madsmiley]

One of our moderators, Sudsymark, is a volunteer at Moody Gardens. I'll bet she could tell you what is involved, if you drop her a note.

I cant PM with my account..Im being a cheap bastid for now Saving for another dive trip

[ScubaDrew]

I just had a "dive physical" for the Adventure Aquarium in NJ. In addition to the ussual exam and history, I had blood work, a urinalysis, chest xray and a spirometry (sp). For people over 40 or those under 30 who present a certain way an EKG was required also, and additionally anything the doctor thought appropriate. I had a bunch of papers for the doctor, which sounded alot like what Simon posted.
Having been through it, I think you would know if you were going to fail, as you would probably feel pretty bad and already be seeing a doctor for some condition.

[Brinybay]

Edited by Brinybay, 18 October 2007 - 08:36 PM.