A dive buddy on prozac?

[indeco]

i have personally dove while using similar meds for a temporary period of depresiion. It in no way, that i was aware of affected my diving or ability to dive safely. It was a season in which i logged over 155 dives so aclimatization may have been a factor but i was always curious, it was my impression the the effect of nitrogen narcosis seemed to be less evident while on these meds.

Its my opinion that all dive buddies shouldnt receive a blank endorsement. Dive with this new partner a few time in very familiar locals and judge for yourself

"No generalization is wholey true not even this"

 

[The Iceni]

As a (British) GP can I offer my tuppence worth?

The concepts of medical fitness to dive (as a risk assessment) and the highly specialist skills of a diving physician (giving specialist advice and/or treatment) are two entirely separate things.

In the UK we still (just) have family doctors and at least have access to a record of our patients illnesses and treatments and I can say will utter confidence that most GPs will know when an applicant's medical fitness is doubtful and when to refer to a specialist.

On the other hand he will also know when the applicant is medically fit.

Viv siad

Art.chick, I certainly "feel your pain." Managed care/HMO's can make all of us crazy. Let me tell you what it feels like from this side of the stethescope. This afternoon when I walk into my office I will probably be faced with a waiting-room full of people who are all in a hurry because they squeezed their visit in on their lunch break. I have never seen most of them before and may never see most of them again - they just picked me out of "the HMO book" because they need something right away (i.e.an overdue medication refill, note for work, diving physical form completed ). I went into medicine because I thought I was going to establish long term relationships with patients and assist them in maintaining good health. Due to the economics of healthcare here in the States I feel like I am working in McDonalds!! Believe me most docs are just as unhappy with this situation as you are.

That sounds awful but I see this impersonal, production-line coming over here too. I am certain society will regret the passing of the traditional (family) physician. Someone has to do the routine, minor stuff or we have the situation where the specialists will be seeing all manner of conditions outside their speciality, to say nothing of the doctor's role as his patient's advocate!

unfortunately society is run by insurance companies.

Dr Vikingo said

I'm not sure that I can agree with the statement, "Then I discovered it was self certification in any case and up to the individual diver whether or not to disclose."

I don't know about Scotland, but most major training agencies in the US & greater Caribbean will query the applicant about medical history before accepting them. Additionally, many dive ops around the world will ask one to sign a medical release form prior to taking them out. In both instances, these often ask questions about medications & psychiatric illness.

I agree. In changing the medical system to self-certifiaction I believe the BSAC has thrown the baby out with the bathwater. In my professional opinion the certificate is not worth the paper it is written on. It bypasses the one person all life insurance companies use - the GP!

Human nature being what it is, not all are as sensible and mature as as is voidware.