PADI Medical Statement.
Please read the following carefully to aviod any disapointment at the waters edge...!
Prior to any PADI course you will be asked to complete and sign a PADI medical statement, you must complete the PADI Medical Statement, which includes the medical questionnaire section. If you are a minor, you must have
the Statement signed by a parent or guardian.
The purpose of the Medical Questionnaire is to find out if you should be examined
by your doctor before participating in recreational diver training. A positive
response to a question does not necessarily disqualify you from diving. A positive
response means that there is a preexisting condition that may affect your safety
while diving and you must seek the advice of your physician prior to engaging in
dive activities.
Please review the following questions on your past or present medical history. If any of these items apply to you, we must request that you consult with a physician prior to participating in scuba diving. The shop or your instructor will be able to supply you with an RSTC Medical Statement and Guidelines for Recreational Scuba Diver’s Physical Examination to take to your physician.
- Could you be pregnant, or are you attempting to become pregnant?
- Are you presently taking prescription medications? (with the exception of
birth control or anti-malarial)
- Are you over 45 years of age and can answer YES to one or more of the
following?
• currently smoke a pipe, cigars or cigarettes
• have a high cholesterol level
• have a family history of heart attack or stroke
• are currently receiving medical care
• high blood pressure
• diabetes mellitus, even if controlled by diet alone
Have you ever had or do you currently have...
- Asthma, or wheezing with breathing, or wheezing with exercise?
- Frequent or severe attacks of hayfever or allergy?
- Frequent colds, sinusitis or bronchitis?
- Any form of lung disease?
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)?
- Other chest disease or chest surgery?
- Behavioral health, mental or psychological problems (Panic attack, fear of
closed or open spaces)?
- Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions or take medications to prevent them?
- Recurring complicated migraine headaches or take medications to prevent
them?
- Blackouts or fainting (full/partial loss of consciousness)?
- Frequent or severe suffering from motion sickness (seasick, carsick,
etc.)?
- Dysentery or dehydration requiring medical intervention?
- Any dive accidents or decompression sickness?
- Inability to perform moderate exercise (example: walk 1.6 km/one mile
within 12 mins.)?
- Head injury with loss of consciousness in the past five years?
- Recurrent back problems?
- Back or spinal surgery?
- Diabetes?
- Back, arm or leg problems following surgery, injury or fracture?
- High blood pressure or take medicine to control blood pressure?
- Heart disease?
- Heart attack?
- Angina, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery?
- Sinus surgery?
- Ear disease or surgery, hearing loss or problems with balance?
- Recurrent ear problems?
- Bleeding or other blood disorders?
- Hernia?
- Ulcers or ulcer surgery ?
- A colostomy or ileostomy?
- Recreational drug use or treatment for, or alcoholism in the past five
years?
If you can answer YES to any of these questions you will not be permitted to take part in any diving actvitiy without a letter or completed RSTC Medical Statement signed by your physician.
Diving is an exciting and demanding activity. When performed correctly, applying correct techniques, it is relatively safe. When established safety procedures are not followed, however, there are increased risks.
To scuba dive safely, you should not be extremely overweight or out of condition. Diving can be strenuous under certain conditions. Your respiratory and circulatory systems must be in good health. All body air spaces must be normal and healthy. A person with coronary disease, a current cold or congestion, epilepsy, a severe medical problem or who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs should not dive. If you have asthma, heart disease, other chronic medical conditions or you are taking medications on a regular basis, you should consult your doctor and the instructor before participating in this program, and on a regular basis thereafter upon completion. You will also learn from the instructor the important safety rules regarding breathing and equalization while scuba diving. Improper use of scuba equipment can result in serious injury. You must be thoroughly instructed in its use or under direct supervision of a qualified instructor to use it safely.
