Medical Privacy Concern

[DBailey]

If you actually think those forms serve any purpose whatsoever, except to give the operator SOMETHING to possibly fall back on (i.e. "not our fault he died, he has a history of convulsions" - "not our fault she died - she indicated she might be pregnant - that's what killed her" or whatever), you're kidding yourself - IMHO.

Regarding the rest of your post, I agree. Even during the first night of class, I can't remember if anyone answered "yes", let alone what the condition was. From how I use it as an instructor, it is part of the checklist of items that must be complete before I can teach you. If you want to lie on the form then so be it. The only time I have used the form for other purposes, we had to call 911 for a student once, and we referred to the form to see if we should give the paramedics a heads-up on anything. This student answered no to everything, so we had nothing to tell.

I think the other purpose of the form is to provide some sort of information to the student. Something along the lines of "hey, you might want talk to someone about this before you dive" type of information. To blantantly ignore the forms and answer no to everything might be risking more than the class is worth.

 

[NudeDiver]

I think the other purpose of the form is to provide some sort of information to the student. Something along the lines of "hey, you might want talk to someone about this before you dive" type of information. To blantantly ignore the forms and answer no to everything might be risking more than the class is worth.

I agree, and this seems reasonable to me

But I'm also a big believer in individual responsibility and choice. If chooses to step out in front of a Mack truck - well, that's up to them. If someone wants to "risk more than the class is worth" - that's up to them too.

The OP's question was about privacy and revealing information to someone who, in his view, doesn't need to have that information. That's quite different from hiding information for the purpose of hiding possible contraindications to diving.

As for the "tell the paramedics" scenario, as the OP points out:

If you are concerned about emergency response personnel being aware of a particular condition, you could wear a medical alert necklace.

 

[RJP]

Just lie on the form. Answer all of the questions "correctly" so they don't need a doctor's release.

Great idea. Not.

I know at least one diver who is a former (deceased) diver who did just what you're suggesting. If he hadn't done that, he'd probably be alive today.

 

[NudeDiver]

Great idea. Not. I know at least one diver who is a former (deceased) diver who did just what you're suggesting. If he hadn't done that, he'd probably be alive today.

There are consequences for all the choices we make in life.

 

[Radcat]

Thanks for the quick responses. Actually, I asked the question to see of something along the lines of Dbailey's recommendation exists. I guess not. I have seen that approach used in other applications. Again, we are not talking about a disability that would put anyone in danger. It's just that some of the operators want you to list all the meds you are taking and I did not see the need to document that information as long as it could not be a dive problem (again, OK with the doctor and also discussed with DAN).

 

[gene02]

Great idea. Not.

I know at least one diver who is a former (deceased) diver who did just what you're suggesting. If he hadn't done that, he'd probably be alive today.

I don't know the diver but I really find it hard to believe that a medical release form would have saved his life other than just not letting him dive at all.

I check no to all on my form because 1) It's no ones business to any illness I may have 2) Why should I spend another $300 to $400 dollar for lab work with a DR to tell me what I already know. 3) this is another great example of how insurance companies and lawyers dictate how we lives and then insurance companies hold there had out for tax DOLLARS Hmmm! )*)(**&^

There is no one that knows my body better than me and as someone pointed out if I have any concerns then it is on me to see my DR.

 

[RonFrank]

You have three choices:

1) Follow the rules, get your doctors signoff, submit the paperwork, and ask the DiveShop to be discrete. Your medical history should be confidential.

2) Lie on the forms. IMO that is not a great idea, but if you have a treatable condition that you KNOW will not impact diving, it is an option. You could also discuss your *condition* with a doctor, get his approval, and then lie on the forms.

3) Don't bother getting certified.

It is really that simple.

If you have a condition that a dive buddy or instructor should be aware of that would result in them doing things differently if something goes wrong, I'd suggest you tell them. There IS a valid reason for agencies to ask for medical history.

All the internet discussion around this topic is not going to change your options!

 

[RJP]

There are consequences for all the choices we make in life.

Yeah, and those consequences for this guy extended to his instructors, his dive buddy, the two guys who tried in vain to save him, his friends and fellow divers on the trip, the boat captain and crew, the coast guard, the paramedics, hospital staff. Not to mention his wife, his kids, his parents, his siblings, etc...

A tragedy for more than just one person, which could have been averted if one box had "YES" written in it instead of "NO."

Your glib "life has consequences" response is nearly as assinine as lying on the medical form.

 

[RJP]

I don't know the diver but I really find it hard to believe that a medical release form would have saved his life other than just not letting him dive at all.

So he's better off dead, than having been kept from diving?



Isn't that the point of the medical release form?

 

[Teamcasa]

I actually called PADI before typing my earlier response. At least with PADI, there is no skipping the Yes/No portion without violating standards.

I would prefer to have the form changed. Here is how I would do it to avoid this problem.

Leave all of the current blanks. The student has to initial beside each line to acknowledge they read the "medical condition".

Add to the bottom of the forms two lines:

_____ One or more of the aforementioned medical conditions applies to me. To sign-up for diving, I must provide the medical clearance form.

That way, from the liaibiltiy aspect, the student read the entire thing and initalled beside each condition, and still had to answer Yes or No. From the student privacy aspect, there is no way of knowing which applies to the student.

That is a resonable response. I'm sure the existing diving forms went through some legal deparment before priniting and won't change until someone sues under HIPPA.

Either way, I'm not in the habit of lying and if I needed a medical release, it does not have to be too specific.

Mr. Teamcasa is cleared to dive within recreational SCUBA limits.
Dr. Feelgood