Medical Privacy Concern

[vladimir]

I also don't see any reason why people are so concerned about their medical conditions being known. All it does is allow (in this case their Instructor) others to better react and assist them should their problem come to light and disable them.

Really? I think the OP's concern was the erectile disfunction he was treating with Viagra. You wouldn't care? I would certainly find that embarrassing. And exactly how do you plan to react to and assist with that problem? That's some full-service dive-mastering you offer!

 

[Sas]

I also don't see any reason why people are so concerned about their medical conditions being known. All it does is allow (in this case their Instructor) others to better react and assist them should their problem come to light and disable them.

So, say you had an STD. Would you be perfectly happy for the entire world to know this? What about erectile dysfunction? Incontinence?

 

[NudeDiver]

...bah, blah, blah....

Do you see how silly this whole conversation is?We as a people (humans) seem to worry about and discuss some of the dumbest things, the most meaningless things etc... just go dive... isn't that what we're all here for? See you in the water!

I notice that you took the time to read and post....

Cheers!
ND

 

[vladimir]

Interesting question with a lot of interesting responses.

...< snip >...

Do you see how silly this whole conversation is?

Coherent, well thought out response--thanks.

 

[redrover]

It's not distressing that you're distressed about other people not being distressed about people being distressed?

Should I or along with you? My guess is if I was bright enough to follow that, it was a moment.

I came to that conclusion BTW some time ago in a similar and far more impassioned thread.

 

[offthewall1]

So, say you had an STD. Would you be perfectly happy for the entire world to know this? What about erectile dysfunction? Incontinence?

Are you serious? If I had an STD... yes, I'd like others who might treat me to know... especially HIV... Erectile dysfunction and incontinence... even more so - who cares? These things are not on the medical questionaire for diving... so lets stick to the point at hand.

"People who worry about who knows what are usually the people we have to worry about." -

 

[vladimir]

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).

"Some information" is a good way to put it. Some they need, some they don't. Example- if I want to take that little blue pill that starts with a "V" that should be between me, my wife and the MD (who understands the potential affects on diving). Maybe you don't want everyone in the dive shop to know that, but to be in compliance with the rules you would need to list it.

Really? I think the OP's concern was the erectile disfunction he was treating with Viagra. You wouldn't care? I would certainly find that embarrassing. And exactly how do you plan to react to and assist with that problem? That's some full-service dive-mastering you offer!

Are you serious? If I had an STD... yes, I'd like others who might treat me to know... especially HIV... Erectile dysfunction and incontinence... even more so - who cares?These things are not on the medical questionaire for diving... so lets stick to the point at hand.

This is the point at hand. The OP is concerned about revealing the Viagra he is taking. Question 2 on the RSTC questionnaire:

http://www.wrstc.com/downloads/RSTCMedStatementGeneric.pdf

Are you presently taking prescription medications? (with the exception of
birth control or anti-malarial)

 

[ScubaSteve]

....as usual, there has been some "quality" advice given here. I personally can't imagine what I could possibly want to hide. If I am taking Viagara, then guess what...I am active. If I have AIDS, then for god sake I want to forewarn you. The bottom line is, if the OP (or anybody) does not want this information to be available, take your course but be honest on the form, and then purchase all equipment and shore dive only. The info is out there once and only once. If you never rent, never dive a charter etc., the information will never get out there a second time. But, once it is out there once, watch for it to be sold on Ebay. I do believe you are reading WAY too much into what the dive shop personel will do with that form and information. Just dive and enjoy it.

 

[Sas]

Are you serious? If I had an STD... yes, I'd like others who might treat me to know... especially HIV... Erectile dysfunction and incontinence... even more so - who cares? These things are not on the medical questionaire for diving... so lets stick to the point at hand.

"People who worry about who knows what are usually the people we have to worry about." -

I didn't specify those who treated you knowing about your medical conditions, I specified the entire world knowing about certain medical conditions. So, I will ask again. If you had an STD/erectile dysfunction/incontinence (and I imagine some of those require treatment with prescription medications, which is usually one of the questions on dive forms) are you happy for the entire world to know about them?

If I am taking Viagara, then guess what...I am active. If I have AIDS, then for god sake I want to forewarn you.

I am curious why a dive shop needs to know if someone has erectile dysfunction? Also AIDS is not the only STD out there. Many are fairly benign in comparison and I doubt would cause a doctor to not sign off someone for diving. If you had herpes that you had to take prescription herpe pills for would you be happy to tell a dive shop that?

 

[ScubaSteve]

I am curious why a dive shop needs to know if someone has erectile dysfunction? Also AIDS is not the only STD out there. Many are fairly benign in comparison and I doubt would cause a doctor to not sign off someone for diving. If you had herpes that you had to take prescription herpe pills for would you be happy to tell a dive shop that?

I am going to tell the dive shop what they want to know because I seem to have fewer privacy concerns than some others. I personally do not care. If there is anything that I believe crosses my line, I will tell them and go elsewhere if needed. If that is a sticking point everywhere then I would choose a different hobby. I do not say "LIE on the form". I say if you have that big an issue, take up GOLF.

Quite frankly, I am fairly certain the OP was not in fact talking about ED. If they were, then they no longer have any privacy concerns with the form because their dirty laundry is now public record with 100,000+ ScubaBoard subscribers plus the billions of people with access to Google .

Worry less, Dive more. People are reading WAY too much into the fun that the shop keepers will have at their expense.