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Scuba Medical

Diabetes (for scuba only)

Persons with diabetes who are 18 years of age or older who wish to scuba dive should be assessed by a physician familiar with both hyperbaric issues related to diabetes and medications used for the control and treatment of diabetes. Persons 18 years old or older who are determined to be candidates for scuba diving must submit four hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests, each with HbA1c values less than 7, taken within the previous 12 months. Any test within the past 12 months with an HbA1c value greater than 7 disqualifies a person from scuba diving as part of a BSA activity. Persons less than 18 years of age with Type 1 diabetes will not be allowed to scuba dive. Persons under the age of 18 who control their diabetes with exercise and diet (no medications) and can provide three sequential hemoglobin tests with HbA1c values less than 6 may be approved to scuba dive.

Seizure Disorders or Epilepsy (for scuba only)

Any seizure activity or use of seizure medication within five years of participation disqualifies an individual from any scuba program.

Asthma (for scuba participants only)

Any scuba participant whose BSA Health and Medical Record indicates a history of asthma MUST provide additional information.

1. If the participant can provide written documentation from a physician stating they have not been prescribed medication (including rescue inhalers) and have not had asthma symptoms within the past five (5) years then they will be allowed to dive.
2. If the participant can not meet the requirements in Part 1 they can only be cleared for diving through the following process:
1. Take a methacholine challenge test. Note: the test can be expensive and still does not guarantee clearance for diving.
2. Mail the full results to the Medical Review Officer at Sea Base.
3. The results will be reviewed by a Hyperbaric Medicine specialist retained by Sea Base who will make the determination of eligibility.
4. There is no appeal beyond the physician retained by Sea Base.

Scuba Paperwork and Forms

1. BSA Health and Medical Record
2. PADI/RSTC Medical Statement
3. PADI Standard Safe Diving Practices and Statement of Understanding
4. PADI Liability Release and Assumption of Risk Agreement

A copy of the PADI/RSTC Medical Form is included in the Leader’s Packet; a physician must review and sign this form. The other forms are printed inside the Student File Folder that is contained in the “Crew Pack” box sent to each Scuba Certification participant. Each must be filled out completely and signed by the participant AND a parent if the participant is a minor. When completing the forms, please note that they must be dated day/month/year. For example, November 9, 2011 would be written 09/11/11 or 09/Nov/11. If any of the four forms above is incomplete, the participant cannot be allowed to participate in the Scuba Certification program.

The two forms below are required for Scuba Adventure and Scuba Live Aboard Adventure

1. BSA Health and Medical Record
2. PADI Liability Release and Assumption of Risk for Supervision of Certified Divers.

Each must be filled out completely and signed by the participant AND a parent if the participant is a minor. When completing the forms, please note that they must be dated day/month/year. For example, November 9, 2011 would be written 09/11/11 or 09/Nov/11.

Scuba Paperwork Deadlines - Prior to arrival

The entire crew’s paperwork (all applicable ones listed above) must be sent no later than January 1st (for Spring crews), March 1st (Summer crews), October 1st (December crews). If there are any questions, participants and their physicians should contact the Sea Base Scuba Director at (305) 664- 4173.

Scuba crews that miss these deadlines are subject to cancellation and forfeiture of all fees.