Diver medical form.

Hi, my wife needs to be a member of my branch and BSAC to be covered by insurance while she is driving the clubs boats, but she's doesn't dive due to ear problems (which is why she couldn't complete the course with me). My question is then, when filling out the Diver medical form which looks like it has to be completed (it says "It is necessary for members of the above organisations to complete this form annually"), she has to answer yes to the "ear problems" box (and the asthma one, but thats much milder).

Now technically this means she has to then get a medical referee to sign off the bottom section to get a "fitness to dive" certificate (though ironically, she passed the diving medical we get when we did our first course), but she doesn't want to dive, so what is the point?

Hi, my wife needs to be a member of my branch and BSAC to be covered by insurance while she is driving the clubs boats, but she's doesn't dive due to ear problems (which is why she couldn't complete the course with me). My question is then, when filling out the Diver medical form which looks like it has to be completed (it says "It is necessary for members of the above organisations to complete this form annually"), she has to answer yes to the "ear problems" box (and the asthma one, but thats much milder).

Now technically this means she has to then get a medical referee to sign off the bottom section to get a "fitness to dive" certificate (though ironically, she passed the diving medical we get when we did our first course), but she doesn't want to dive, so what is the point?

Depends on your branch and it's constitution/bye-laws but there _should_ be provision for non-diving branch members which _should_ obviate the need for a diving medical (in a sensible world that is). Check out the constitution situation in more detail first, and if your branch doesn't have one then this would be an ideal opportunity to insitgate one
HTH

Depends on your branch and it's constitution/bye-laws but there _should_ be provision for non-diving branch members which _should_ obviate the need for a diving medical (in a sensible world that is). Check out the constitution situation in more detail first, and if your branch doesn't have one then this would be an ideal opportunity to insitgate one
HTH

Well I spoke to the membership officer, and she said they would treat her like a "normal diving member" which doesn't sound promising. I shall ask about the constitution and see if that has anything useful.

Kamal.

Hi, my wife needs to be a member of my branch and BSAC to be covered by insurance while she is driving the clubs boats, but she's doesn't dive due to ear problems (which is why she couldn't complete the course with me). My question is then, when filling out the Diver medical form which looks like it has to be completed (it says "It is necessary for members of the above organisations to complete this form annually"), she has to answer yes to the "ear problems" box (and the asthma one, but thats much milder).

Now technically this means she has to then get a medical referee to sign off the bottom section to get a "fitness to dive" certificate (though ironically, she passed the diving medical we get when we did our first course), but she doesn't want to dive, so what is the point?

Kamal

If your wife joined as an Associate Member, she would still be covered by the insurance. At least that is how I read the 3rd party insurance info (link on the BSAC home page). As Associate Member is a non-diving grade, I don't see way a medical would be required by BSAC.

Perhaps a direct contact with HQ would confirm this.

Adrian

Hi

This is easy to resolve.

Your wife can join BSAC as an Associate Member for ?38.00 - a non-diving category of membership (snorkelling or aqualung - my input). See the link.

She would then do boat-handing courses and cox your club boat, fully covered by BSAC 3rd Party/Public Liability insurance.

The only drawback if she does all the boat driving is other branch members will become rusty. My last branch had a member's dad who did this for near on 3 years.

As no diving is involved why complete a dive medical? If you still get resistance from your Treasurer, see if you can get your Committee to discuss the issue.

Edward

Hi
I would assume that the 3rd party Boat insurance required
for all branch boats would cover the coxwain. Is BSAC Membership necessary at all? I didn't think that the BSAC 3rd party insurance covered boat use.

As Kamal is a full diving member then is his wife not entitled to abated membership at ?28?

Regards
Declan

Hi

This is easy to resolve.

Your wife can join BSAC as an Associate Member for ?38.00 - a non-diving category of membership (snorkelling or aqualung - my input). See the link.

She would then do boat-handing courses and cox your club boat, fully covered by BSAC 3rd Party/Public Liability insurance.

The only drawback if she does all the boat driving is other branch members will become rusty. My last branch had a member's dad who did this for near on 3 years.

As no diving is involved why complete a dive medical? If you still get resistance from your Treasurer, see if you can get your Committee to discuss the issue.

Edward

Hi,

This is beginning to emerge as "Catch 22".

If the person concerned is entitled to Abated Diving Membership but unable/unwilling to furnish the requisite Self-declaration of Fitness, then Edward's suggested Associate Membership of BSAC is appropriate IMHO (and I can see nothing wrong in the beneficiaries passing round a hat in order to fund such altruism).

That way, the cox may be covered by the general 3rd Party/Public Liability insurance - it is an intrinsic part of recreational diving by BSAC members, so it should be. Anyway Edward says it is, and he's pretty relaible on these things.

However if unfit to dive, is the individual fit to drive a RHIB full of divers and equipment, manage a rescue, grapple & ship kit/diver and so on? There is then the valid point of others losing their skill.

Whilst considering these things, how close are we to saying the Branch insures its RHIB for its particular needs and might elect 3rd party cover along with the rest? Or equally choose to require Diver Cox, International Certificate of Competence, GMDSS, PRM, O2, Day- or Coastal Skipper of its drivers?

A complex equation indeed.

Mike

Hi
I would assume that the 3rd party Boat insurance required
for all branch boats would cover the coxwain. Is BSAC Membership necessary at all? I didn't think that the BSAC 3rd party insurance covered boat use.

As Kamal is a full diving member then is his wife not entitled to abated membership at ?28?

Regards
Declan

Re Boathandling Insurance,

I use DAN (Divers Alert Network)Europe. I feel you'll find answers on their website.

Whilst considering these things, how close are we to saying the Branch insures its RHIB for its particular needs and might elect 3rd party cover along with the rest?

Don't we say that now (or am I misunderstanding you)? As I understand it, BSAC insurance does not cover boating and it is a BSAC rule that boats must have 3rd party insurance.

Philip Smith