SECTION 6.00
MEDICAL STANDARDS
6.10 MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
6.11 General
6.11.1 The UA shall determine that divers have passed a current diving physical examination and have been declared by the examining physician to be fit to engage in diving activities as may be limited or restricted in the medical evaluation report.
6.11.2 All medical evaluations required by this standard shall be performed by, or under the direction of, a licensed physician of the applicant-diver's choice, preferably one trained in diving/undersea medicine.
6.11.3 The diver should be free of any chronic disabling disease and be free of any conditions contained in the list of conditions for which restrictions from diving are generally recommended. (Appendix 1)
6.12 Frequency of Medical Evaluations
Medical evaluation shall be completed:
6.12.1 Before a diver may begin diving, unless an equivalent initial medical evaluation has been given within the preceding 5 years (3 years if over the age of 40 , 2 years if over the age of 60), UA has obtained the results of that examination, and those results have been reviewed and found satisfactory by the UA DCB.
6.12.2 Thereafter, at 5-year intervals up to age 40, every 3 years after the age of 40, and every 2 years after the age of 60
6.12.3 Clearance to return to diving must be obtained from a physician following any major injury or illness, or any condition requiring hospital care. If the injury or illness is pressure related, then the clearance to return to diving must come from a physician trained in diving medicine.
6.13. Information Provided Examining Physician
The UA shall provide a copy of the medical evaluation requirements of this manual to the examining physician. (Appendices 1, 2, and 3).
6.14 Content of Medical Evaluations
Medical examinations conducted initially and at the intervals specified in Section 6.12 shall consist of the following:
6.14.1 Applicant agreement for release of medical information to the Diving Safety Officer and the DCB (Appendix 2).
6.14.2 Medical history (Appendix 3)
6.14.3 Diving physical examination (Section 6.15 and Appendix 2).
6.15 Conditions Which May Disqualify Candidates From Diving (Adapted from Bove, 1998)
- Abnormalities of the tympanic membrane, such as perforation, presence of a monomeric membrane, or inability to autoinflate the middle ears.
- Vertigo including Meniere's Disease.
- Stapedectomy or middle ear reconstructive surgery.
- Recent ocular surgery.
- Psychiatric disorders including claustrophobia, suicidal ideation, psychosis, anxiety states, untreated depression.
- Substance abuse, including alcohol.
- Episodic loss of consciousness.
- History of seizure.
- History of stroke or a fixed neurological deficit.
- Recurring neurologic disorders, including transient ischemic attacks.
- History of intracranial aneurysm, other vascular malformation or intracranial
- hemorrhage.
- History of neurological decompression illness with residual deficit.
- Head injury with sequelae.
- Hematologic disorders including coagulopathies.
- Evidence of coronary artery disease or high risk for coronary artery disease.
- Atrial septal defects.
- Significant valvular heart disease - isolated mitral valve prolapse is not disqualifying.
- Significant cardiac rhythm or conduction abnormalities.
- Implanted cardiac pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators (ICD).
- Inadequate exercise tolerance.
- Severe hypertension.
- History of spontaneous or traumatic pneumothorax.
- Asthma.
- Chronic pulmonary disease, including radiographic evidence of pulmonary blebs, bullae or cysts.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Pregnancy
6.16 Laboratory Requirements for Diving Medical Evaluation and Intervals.
6.16.1 Initial examination under age 40:
- Medical History
- Complete Physical Exam, emphasis on neurological and otological components
- Chest X-ray
- Spirometry
- Hematocrit or Hemoglobin
- Urinalysis
- Any further tests deemed necessary by the physician.
6.16.2 Periodic re-examination under age 40 (every 5 years)
- Medical History
- Complete Physical Exam, emphasis on neurological and otological components
- Hematocrit or Hemoglobin
- Urinalysis
- Any further tests deemed necessary by the physician
6.16.3 Initial exam over age 40:
- Medical History
- Complete Physical Exam, emphasis on neurological and otological components
- Assessment of coronary artery disease risk factors including lipid profile and diabetic screening
- Resting EKG
- Chest X-ray
- Spirometry
- Urinalysis
- Hematocrit or Hemoglobin
- Any further tests deemed necessary by the physician
- Exercise stress testing may be indicated based on risk factor analysis
6.16.4 Periodic re-examination over age 40 (every 3 years); over age 60 (every two years):
- Medical History
- Complete Physical Exam, emphasis on neurological and otological components
- Assessment of coronary artery disease risk factors including lipid profile and diabetic screening
- Resting EKG
- Urinalysis
- Hematocrit or Hemoglobin
- Any further tests deemed necessary by the physician
- Exercise stress testing may be indicated based on risk factor analysis
6.17 Physician's Written Report.
6.17.1 After any medical examination relating to the individual’s fitness to dive, the UA shall obtain a written report prepared by the examining physician, which shall contain the examining physician's opinion of the individual's fitness to dive, including any recommended restrictions or limitations. This will be reviewed by the DCB.
6.17.2 The UA shall make a copy of the physician's written report available to the individual.