Boilerplate letter for medication use and diving

[Storker]

So, like many other middle-aged men, I'm on hypertension medication, which AFAIK according to standards isn't a counterindication to diving as long as the BP is well controlled. My BP is well controlled, so I dive happily and worry about more relevant safety issues instead. However, when I recently took my nitrox cert, I duly ticked the box for "taking medication regularly" or whatever the wording is. This caused a slight delay in my certification process, since the instructor needed additional info on the type of medication, which caused the first delay (she didn't read all the forms before sitting down with the paperwork after the class was finished). The second delay was caused by her having to contact the dive medicine competent MD they're using as a consultant before she could process me and punch me into the PADI database. While I didn't have a problem with that delay, I started thinking about what could happen on a diving vacation if I had to fill in a similar form. I could lie, of course, to avoid the dive center going full CMA on me and refuse me to dive, I could admit that I'm on medication and risk the dive center going full CMA on me and refuse me to dive, or I could carry a letter signed by my primary health care physician stating the bleedin' obvious (i.e. that my "condition" is compatible with safe diving). Personally, I'd prefer the third alternative.

Problem is, my primary health care physician is pretty much incompetent in diving/hyperbaric medicine. No wonder, he's a GP. That I can handle with proper references to literature and competent health personnell. The problem arises when it comes to the wording of a letter. I don't know the suitable wording, and I'm pretty convinced that my GP doesn't either. Particularly since our (relatively, at least until now) non-litigous society usually don't require that kind of CMA documents.

So (tl,dr) I'm looking for a suitable piece of boilerplate text which my GP can use as a template for a medical release letter. Can something like that be found out there on the web?



--
Sent from my Android phone
Typos are a feature, not a bug

 

[tursiops]

Just use the RSTC medical form, and have them sign and date page 2. It is good for 12 months.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

A copy of the diving physician's note that says you have been examined and cleared to dive on that medication and dosage should be enough.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Hawkwood]

I am curious as to why all the detail is necessary. Since you mentioned PADI, nowhere does the PADI form or clearance note ask for details as to what the medication is or dosage.

An operator has no idea that I take Coversyl and Synthroid. They just know I take prescription medications and that a doctor has signed the clearance note.

 

[tursiops]

I am curious as to why all the detail is necessary. Since you mentioned PADI, nowhere does the PADI form or clearance note ask for details as to what the medication is or dosage.

An operator has no idea that I take Coversyl and Synthroid. They just know I take prescription medications and that a doctor has signed the clearance note.

In addition, they do not even need to know that you take prescription medications; all they need is the signed clearnance. The purpose of the questionaire is to inform the operator if you need a clearance....they have no right to your personal medical info. This is per direct discussion of this exact topic with PADI.

 

[dmoore19]

I have used the RSTC form for the last 5 years. I have had back surgery and was cleared by the orthopod then. But if I say yes on the form they want something current. Sooo, I use the form, the doc signs off after my annual physical and it all works out just fine.

 

[iamrushman]

great question and great answers...

 

[Storker]

An operator has no idea that I take Coversyl and Synthroid. They just know I take prescription medications and that a doctor has signed the clearance note.

I guess it's the clearance note I'm asking about. I'm not particularly familiar with litigous practices, CMA policies and what's needed to stay in the clear. I still believe that my safety when diving is my own concern and responsibility, so being denied to dive due to an op's concern about being sued is kinda alien to me.


--
Sent from my Android phone
Typos are a feature, not a bug

 

[Hawkwood]

I'm afraid I can't help then. We use the form provided by PADI (which is the RSTC medical form), as do our clients. If they give me the form signed by a physician with the box marked: I find no medical conditions that I consider incompatible with diving.

Then I am fine with that.

As an Instructor, it is not my responsibility to press the student as to details.

As a diver, however, it is incumbent on me to ensure that I am clear and that my doctor or specialists understand and get it right for me. So, both my family doctor and endocrinologist/oncologist dealt with the clearance form.

 

[tursiops]

My point is the clearance note does not need to be specific. If the doctor signs the RSTC form, you are cleared to dive. There are no caveats or exceptions for that signature.