gbray
Contributor
Well I finally did it, I signed up for my aow. Actually I only need to do two dives with an instructor to document it since I have already met all the requirements. My intent is just to get the card so I can do some boat dives later this year (If the oil slick doesn't ruin my plans). The class I am really looking forward to hopefully later this year is fundies.
I downloaded the standard SSI medical form and took it to my family doctor thinking he would sign it and that would be that. We have discussed diving on several occassions and I have tried to persuade him to go with me. He said he would have to give me a physical since it has been two years since I have had one. OK, not a big deal. I am in good health and see no problems. The form referenced the"guidelines for recreational scuba divers physical examination" so his office downloaded it from the internet.
After he did his part of the physical he told me he was setting up a stress test at the hospital because the form required it for anyone over 40. Again I said OK because it shouldn't be a problem. The class is this weekend so I called the hospital to schedule the test. when they found out I am a carpenter and have CMR insurance they said they have to get preapproval and CMR is very slow at getting back to them. They don't know if they can do it this week. I thought OK I will just pay for it and be done with it. NOW COMES THE RUB, the test is well over a thousand dollars. If my insurance refuses to pay for it my dive training is done because I could never convince my wife to fork over that much money every time I want to take a class(in addition to the cost of the class and my ongoing addiction to buying new gear).
My question is this; is this normal and does everyone over 40 have to have a stress test everytime they take a class with other agencies? Will I have to do this again to take stress and rescue and fundies? How often do insurance companies pay for these types of tests just so we can dive? Has anyone else had to deal with this or am I the first? By the way my doctor told me he knew I would not have any problem passing the physical but had to do it because the form he had to sign required it. I am a young 56 years old.
Do they really care, is it strictly liabilaty or just another facet of the scuba money grab?
I downloaded the standard SSI medical form and took it to my family doctor thinking he would sign it and that would be that. We have discussed diving on several occassions and I have tried to persuade him to go with me. He said he would have to give me a physical since it has been two years since I have had one. OK, not a big deal. I am in good health and see no problems. The form referenced the"guidelines for recreational scuba divers physical examination" so his office downloaded it from the internet.
After he did his part of the physical he told me he was setting up a stress test at the hospital because the form required it for anyone over 40. Again I said OK because it shouldn't be a problem. The class is this weekend so I called the hospital to schedule the test. when they found out I am a carpenter and have CMR insurance they said they have to get preapproval and CMR is very slow at getting back to them. They don't know if they can do it this week. I thought OK I will just pay for it and be done with it. NOW COMES THE RUB, the test is well over a thousand dollars. If my insurance refuses to pay for it my dive training is done because I could never convince my wife to fork over that much money every time I want to take a class(in addition to the cost of the class and my ongoing addiction to buying new gear).
My question is this; is this normal and does everyone over 40 have to have a stress test everytime they take a class with other agencies? Will I have to do this again to take stress and rescue and fundies? How often do insurance companies pay for these types of tests just so we can dive? Has anyone else had to deal with this or am I the first? By the way my doctor told me he knew I would not have any problem passing the physical but had to do it because the form he had to sign required it. I am a young 56 years old.
Do they really care, is it strictly liabilaty or just another facet of the scuba money grab?
