Medical release, how long are they good for?

[Neilwood]

I just re-read the medical release form and it's pretty thorough. Our doc has signed off for me and my husband but it seems like a PITA to say "yes" to the individual questions. For instance "Are you over 45 and ... currently smoke ... have high blood pressure ... currently receiving medical care?" I don't smoke, don't have HBP but I am under the care of a doctor - and my husband has HBP but is under the care of a doctor and takes meds that keep his blood pressure in a safe range. So ... I don't want to check those lines and explain it to the kid at the desk of the dive op if my doc has signed the form. It all feels intrusive and unnecessary if the doc is saying I'm ok to dive. On the other hand, I think it's a good idea for the paramedics to know what meds I might have on board in case of an emergency, and that's stuff to keep on my medical profile on my phone, where it can be accessed without needing a passcode to get into my phone.

(here's a link to the form, for anyone who may be interested: https://www.padi.com/sites/default/files/documents/padi-courses/2.1.5 rstc medstate v201.pdf)

As others have said I think it is important to fill in the form. Even from the point of view of there being a health problem during a trip, it gives the operator a starting point to go from (as well as information to pass on to paramedics/doctors etc) if required for further treatment.

It can be very different outside of the WRSTC.

I don't know if it is still true, but when I was with UTD, their medical releases were only good for the specific class you were taking. You had to fill it out online. There was no doctor's statement. You had to fill in all the very specific details of your medical condition, including any prescription drugs you were taking, and UTD, not your doctor, would determine if you were fit to dive.

It all took a very long time, and their online system would not remember anything you had done before, so you had to do it anew for every single class you took. When I took the Ratio Deco class, I had just finished doing it for yet another class, and I was frankly pissed that I had to do it all again. When I came to the part where I had to list my prescription meds , which I had done a couple weeks before for the other class, I figured what they heck--this is a purely academic class spent entirely in the classroom, so I left it blank. A week or two later I was rooming with my usual UTD instructor (who was NOT the instructor for the Ratio Deco class) on a dive trip, and I came into the motel room to find him going through my toilet kit. He had been instructed to find out what my prescription meds were because I had not listed them on the online form.

If I found anyone going through my stuff without my permission, I would be seriously thinking about reporting them to the police as well as reporting the motel staff to the management of the motel for allowing access to my belongings without my permission.

If the instructor or UTD needed the information, why not simply ask why it wasn't on the form?

 

[TMHeimer]

Sorry for opening up a can of worms.

My intent in asking was to determine how long a medical waiver/doctor's letter is good for. The answer was given, thanks!

My other comment was more along the lines that if you are approved by a doctor but forget to bring the letter when you show up on the dock to dive the options are...don't dive or just say no to all the questions.

I believe by that one should always get approval from one's doctor when starting any physical activity such as diving. When you think about it...if you get approval to dive from your doctor it means the things you answer yes to on the waiver form isn't likely to cause a problem and if you have something the is likely to cause a problem you shouldn't be diving.

Agree. Those commercials for drugs-- "Ask your Dr. about ________pills" (don't forget, these pills may cause impotence and all 3 legs to fall off). Doesn't my Dr. know about these pills? I've talked with him often about my diving (he is a swimmer), so I guess any "Yeses" would be OK anyway?

 

[stepfen]

Interestingly nobody so far has mentioned DAN into this discussion.
Has anybody answered "yes" to any questions in DAN's medical questioner? If so, DAN requests a "clear to dive" certificate from a dive "specialist" doctor. Your "normal" doctor wouldn't do, as according to DAN normal doctors are not aware about the special conditions divers face.

I have some allergy-related issues and I do occasionally take medications. My allergist clears me to dive - but DAN won't accept this.
This issue started last year while I was about to go to week-long dive trip to Raja Ampat. I spoke to a dive "specialist" that DAN proposed to me over the phone and he said I'm good to dive - but not in written. Since then I haven't done much as the nearest dive "specialist" is too far to go meet him. I use my doctor's clearance when I dive/train.

 

[kelemvor]

Interestingly nobody so far has mentioned DAN into this discussion.
Has anybody answered "yes" to any questions in DAN's medical questioner? If so, DAN requests a "clear to dive" certificate from a dive "specialist" doctor. Your "normal" doctor wouldn't do, as according to DAN normal doctors are not aware about the special conditions divers face.

I have some allergy-related issues and I do occasionally take medications. My allergist clears me to dive - but DAN won't accept this.
This issue started last year while I was about to go to week-long dive trip to Raja Ampat. I spoke to a dive "specialist" that DAN proposed to me over the phone and he said I'm good to dive - but not in written. Since then I haven't done much as the nearest dive "specialist" is too far to go meet him. I use my doctor's clearance when I dive/train.

Where did you encounter a DAN questionnaire? I've never heard of one.

 

[stepfen]

Where did you encounter a DAN questionnaire? I've never heard of one.

It is in their web site (mydan or something) somewhere. I can't access it right now, but I'll have a look at it later from home and let you know.

 

[mac66]

Agree. Those commercials for drugs-- "Ask your Dr. about ________pills" (don't forget, these pills may cause impotence and all 3 legs to fall off). Doesn't my Dr. know about these pills? I've talked with him often about my diving (he is a swimmer), so I guess any "Yeses" would be OK anyway?

Uh, you lost me there....LOL

 

[TMHeimer]

Uh, you lost me there....LOL

In my verbose way I'm saying that your doctor should know all about your medical history, current condition, and if diving is OK. And should know about all these meds you see on TV ads (U.S. mostly) and whether a certain pill would be appropriate for you. You shouldn't have to ask him/her about it. The Dr. knowing whether it is OK for you to dive or not is more important than what you fill out on a questionnaire, which I believe is mostly for the dive op's liability.
Of course if you live in an area with Dr. shortages and you have no regular Dr. you've known for a long while, what I say at least somewhat goes out the window.

 

[mmerriman]

It is in their web site (mydan or something) somewhere. I can't access it right now, but I'll have a look at it later from home and let you know.

DAN does not have their own form.

 

[Kimela]

@stepfen and @mmerriman - I couldn't find a form on DAN either. But I did find an interesting article about whether or not your should lie on those forms!!!! The article is called "To Lie or Not to Lie".

To Lie or Not to Lie

 

[stepfen]

DAN does not have their own form.

@stepfen and @mmerriman - I couldn't find a form on DAN either.

It's an online form. Here is how it looks in my case - keep in mind I am based in Europe so it might be different from the US web site.

I don't have time to search through the contract's T&C but it is clearly stated somewhere that any existing medical condition that might affect the ability to dive should be reported to DAN.