A Medical Story

[Deep Hull]

Recently, I signed up for PADI lessons at a local LDS and was very excited with prospect of learning to dive. When I collected the books for the course from the dive shop, I was instructed to fill out the blue folder that had a series of questions about my medical history.

As I quickly skimmed the list of medical questions, my attention was immediately drawn the one pertaining to spinal/neck surgery. In mid December I had cervical fusion on my sixth and seventh vertebra due to a disk rupture. I asked, and was informed, that if I answered any of these questions in the affirmative that I would be required to provide a note from the doctor which cleared me for scuba lessons.

My initial though was to just scribble no to all questions and proceed with the lessons, but unfortunately I am a person who firmly believes in following policies and I answered all questions correctly and procured the required doctor's note.

When I arrived for my first day of training, I was informed by the instructor that the note provided by my doctor was insufficient, and that PADI had a specific form that needed to be completed by my doctor before I could be cleared to take the dive sessions.

I took this form to my doctor, who completed the physician portion, however, the doctor did not like the section of the form where there was a checkbox and a blanket statement which said something to the effect of "I find this person medically able to complete scuba training" (sorry, I don't remember the exact verbiage). My doctor had line through "medically" and substituted "orthopedic" because he is an orthopedic specialist.

Upon seeing this, my instructor immediately called PADI and was informed that the form could not be altered in any fashion and that I would be unable to continue with the course. As you can imagine, I was quite let down and extremely upset at this, as my condition IS orthopedic in nature and my doctor had cleared me, not once, but twice.

Well, I had a long discussion with the dive shop owner who is adamant that my doctor is in the wrong because the form assumes that the doctor is only affirming that I am medically able for those things which I have written yes.

I told him he was incorrect and that I side with the doctor in his choice to modify the form as he could possibly be liable if I had a heart attack or whatever due to the diving, since he DID clear me. It is my understanding that the law does not interpret meaning, they interpret words, and nowhere within the doctor's instructions did it say that I was only being cleared for those things that I said yes to.

Now I find myself with an appointment for my General Practitioner, with hopes that I can gain a signed, unmodified version of the form so I can continue with my class. If I fail to gain this form, I have been told that I will not be able to continue.

The question, is there any way (should the second doctor refuse to sing this form) that I can obtain this form signed by a doctor who understands diving and its possible risks to me. And because I did not receive notice of this required form BEFORE I attended the first class, am I in the right to call my bank and contest the payment of $250.00 to the LDS for the cost of instruction if I cannot continue?


Sam

 

[GQMedic]

Firstly, this issue you have with your past surgery is listed as a "relative contriindication", so seeking a physician's clearance to recieve dive instruction is right on the mark and your preserverance in finding a doc who understands what "SIGN HERE" means becomes you.

Why not call the doc who signed (but altered) the form to begin with and explain to him, sorry, but they can't accept that form because you altered it. I you find me medically cleared to participate, I'll need to bring you a new form for you to sign but this time, not alter it. Keep him to his word here.

Now, if you've exhausted (which I do not see happening) all available resources in making good your part to get cleard and failed to do so, I don't see you having to copntest or dispute the payment you've made in the $250.00 for Scuba instruction. I'd imagine your instructor is a good sport about it and would see that you are doing your part and it just didn't work out (which is NOT the case here as you still have options and recourse available) and refund you.

Advicel Continue to pursue medical clearance. It's NOT that arduous if you're not in an "absolute contraindication" classification. You obviously wanted to learn to dive to get this far, might as well go throug with it, I'm betting after you get past the medical clearance, you'll have alot of fun.

-Dennis

 

[CBalloch]

There are medical diving doctors who would be able to evaluate your "entire" condition for diving. DAN (Divers Alert Network) can refer you to a local physician to evaluate you.

www.diversalertnetwork.org

All the LDSs I have ever visited are more than willing to refunbd your money where a medical condition dictates that you cannot scuba dive.

Hope you're diving soon.

 

[ianr33]

A lesser person might be tempted to go to another shop and err........fudge the truth a little.

I remember a few years ago mentioning on a health insurance form that I had been to a doctor after being rearended while driving. The visit was just a precaution in case of a sore neck /whiplash the next day. The insurance company added a rider that they would not cover ANY injuries to the neck or spine HOWEVER caused in the future. Needless to say I told them what they could do ............

 

[Laser]

This question makes me wonder why any doctor would sign off on a patients request to take up diving ( they wouldn't need to unless they checked *yes* to one of the questions ) There is nothing in it for them but potential liability. What am I missing?

 

[Drew Sailbum]

The language at question is, "I find no medical conditions that I consider incompatible with diving." The alternative is, "I am unable to recommend this individual for diving."

While there is a space for remarks, any limitations will be considered disallowing.

 

[scubasean]

Laser once bubbled...
This question makes me wonder why any doctor would sign off on a patients request to take up diving ( they wouldn't need to unless they checked *yes* to one of the questions ) There is nothing in it for them but potential liability. What am I missing?

I would think that a physician would rather sign off on the presence or absence of particular symptoms, manifestions, etc., rather than a general statement about fitness to Dive.

So, I agree with you.

 

[Deep Hull]

Thanks for your responses. I guess if it was a situation where PADI was looking out for me, then I would understand. However, it is plainly evident that they are only looking out for themselves and their liability....that truly annoys me.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

PADI recognizes the fact that most dive instructors are not medical doctors and have no training to evaluate the potential risks of a certain medical condition in a given person.

Experienced dive instructors can probably sort a pile of dive medicals into three catagories; 1) No problem, 2) Talk to your doctor, maybe; or 3) No way. Ever try bowling?

For example, I know that I have seen a lot of dive medicals where a person answers "yes" to taking prescription thyroid hormone replacement. I've never seen one of those turned down by a doctor.

I saw one dive medical where a person had spent six of the last nine months in a coma due to a head trauma. Also has "yes" answers to about 10 other questions. That was a No Way.

The real difficulty is in those in cases in which a doctor's expertise is necessary to help the patient properly assess risks. A doctor knowledgable in dive medicine is quite beneficial here.

As simple as it sounds, I do not have the training to know for certain. I have occasionally been surprised when a doctor turned down what I thought was a "No Problem" situation. The conservative approach is to require a doctor's input.

For those who take the medical lightly, or choose to be untruthful... I've packed a couple of those off in an ambulance. I know that many people have gone down the road, but I would much rather that happen than have a preventable problem happen.