fit to dive medical

[Absolute]

Hi Everyone,

I've searched but cannot find details anywhere of what a 'fit to dive' full medical consists of.

I have one in London on Thursday afternoon (due to childhood asthma).... but the best information I am able to get out of the medic is "This takes around 20-30 mins, and will involve a full physical examination, including lung function testing. "

What do they mean by full physical examination? am I expected to ... ahem.. "drop and cough"?

If it means I can dive then I dont mind - but was wondering what significance that would have for diving :D

What else should I expect?

Thanks in advance!

[Ben Panter]

So long since I had one that I can't remember all the other things, but certain C&D used to be in there. I think it checks for hernia, but I confess I can't really remember...

Ben

[David G]

I've searched but cannot find details anywhere of what a 'fit to dive' full medical consists of.



You should be able to find out all you need to know on this page:

http://www.bsac.org/page/42/medical-matters.htm

Regards,

David.

[BogSnorkeller]

I do it every year. Basically consists of:

1. Height and weight measurement.
2. Urine sample.
3. Balance tests.
4. Nerve tests - e.g. assessing whether you're able to detect it when the doc touches your skin lightly with a brush-thing. Also reflex tests.
5. Lung function tests. Peak flow and FVC.
6. Audiometry.
7. Kinaesthesia. This is things like - can you touch your two forefingers together with one eye closed.
8. Blood pressure.
9. General overall check up, but no drop and cough.

[Absolute]

Thanks everyone....

Your responses are really appreciated :)

[Cosmosblue]

Hi Absolute,

be sure to reply back with how you got on and what they get you doing.. I'm having mine done the following day.. probably at the same place... (st john's wood)

damn was looking forward to the *cough :D :cool:

[Absolute]

Hi Absolute,

be sure to reply back with how you got on and what they get you doing.. I'm having mine done the following day.. probably at the same place... (st john's wood)

Yep thats the place! I'll report back in the evening ;)


damn was looking forward to the *cough :D :cool:

Well, If I notice him light some candles an put some Barry white music on then I'll be out of that room like a shot! but I'll be sure to let you know what awaits :D

Good luck with your medical ;)

Tony

[Absolute]

Hi Absolute,

be sure to reply back with how you got on and what they get you doing.. I'm having mine done the following day.. probably at the same place... (st john's wood)

damn was looking forward to the *cough :D :cool:

Hi,

As promised an update :)

First off - its only a 1-2minute walk from St Johns wood station.... as you come out of the station you will see a discreet HSBC bank with a cash machine opposite - walk straight over the lights towards the bank and the hospital is in front of you on the left.

The London Dive Chamber is actually in the big white square building next to the main entrance - you will walk past it and then double back down the front of the main hospital.

I went into the main hospital to buy a drink because of the urine test they make you do - although I'd advise buying some water elsewhere beforehand because they only had fizzy drinks and a single bottle of isotonic water (which I ended up buying).

Everyone at the LDC was approachable and didn't make me feel awkward once. Very nice bunch of people :)

First off the Doctor asked me about why I needed a medical - I explained about my childhood asthma etc...

Height and weight tests were then done.

Then I had to sit on the examination table whilst he took blood pressure, listened to my chest/heart and then I had to lay down whilst he played with my belly.

He also pushed down on my jeans - just above my groin area and asked me to cough - testing for hernia I think.

Then it was onto reflex tests and also various tasks where I had to push against his hands. An example was that I would close my legs and then he would push them together and ask me to open them. He did this with hands, fingers, toes, legs and arms.

Then onto the peek flow - I had three attempts at this.... the idea is to blow as long and hard as possible. The first attempt was naff - but the second two came up excellent.

The two forms I took with me for him to sign were :

http://www.bsac.org/uploads/documents/memberservices/self_declaration_medical_form.pdf

and

http://www.bsac.org/uploads/documents/memberservices/refereesform.pdf

All in all it took around 30 minutes.

Best of luck for tomorrow! please feel free to ask any questions :)

[Cosmosblue]

thanks for those directions ;)

went today and got my forms signed... I didn't have much as you to do - which i think was because i have a different reason for a medical (ie no asthma).

i think the tests vary from person to person depending on what ailments you take with you :D


I'm all fit to dive now - very happy :D

[Absolute]

Hey - glad it all went well for you :)

I got the all clear too.... now I just have to get fit enough to do the 200m swim :(

[Ron Evans]

Not quite right about the peak flow - the idea is to blow out as QUICK and hard as you can - it's measuring the PEAK flow rate, not how much air you have.

Glad to hear you are well though!

[Absolute]

Not quite right about the peak flow - the idea is to blow out as QUICK and hard as you can - it's measuring the PEAK flow rate, not how much air you have.

Glad to hear you are well though!

Hmmmmm.... well he made me keep blowing until I turned purple.

Maybe it wasn't peek flow? - he did mention lung function testing?

[BogSnorkeller]

The two basic tests for lung function are 'peak flow' and 'forced vital capacity'. You can do both of them on the same test. Peak Flow is indicated by the steepest part of the graph - i.e the most air you were expelling at any one time. Forced vital capacity is the total amount of air you manage to expel, and is represented by the total area underneath the line on the graph.

This explains why you were asked to keep blowing til you were blue in the face.

[Absolute]

Ahhh... that explains it - Thanks!

[splashman]

Hello!
Is the above mentioned examination the same as the medical you would need before instructor training or is this a different one because you had asthma as a child?
You mentioned a peak flow reading what is the accepted reading for diving? As I thought it varied from person to person?

[Absolute]

This was the standard 'fit to dive' medical... but the test mentioned above produced a couple of graphs on a computer - so I couldn'y tell you what the results were , other than the doc was happy with them.

You can always drop them an email - http://londondivingchamber.co.uk and see what they say.

[ssteve]

hell that was a easy medical, i had one in spain and he took heart beat ,peak flow,etc then made you crouch down and stand up again 20 times then took above readings again !!!:eek: :eek: :eek:
ssteve:)

[Gordon]

You mentioned a peak flow reading what is the accepted reading for diving? As I thought it varied from person to person?

Have a look here: http://www.uksdmc.co.uk/standards/Standards-%20asthma.htm


Gordon