Diving Safety And Medical
Safety and Medical
Diving is an exciting and demanding activity. It is safe when performed correctly, and when applying all the correct techniques. When established safety procedures are not followed there are dangers. To scuba dive safely, you must be in good health, not be extremely overweight or out of condition, and be able to swim 200 meters. If under medication, please consult a doctor and instructor prior to participating in any programme. Please note that if you suffer from any heart condition, epilepsy, asthma, a severe medical problem, are pregnant, have a cold or congestion or are under the influence of any drugs or alcohol you should not dive.
Flying & Diving
When planning you holiday please note that you should not dive within 24 hours of your return flight and it is advisable to make fewer dives in the last few days. It is also recommended that you do not to dive on the day of your arrival, especially if you have travelled lengthy distances. Please note the same rules apply to mountains and cities at high altitudes. Medical Requirements
All guests wishing to undertake diving training or use of facilities in the Diving Centre in the resort are required to complete a medical questionnaire. If the operator is in any way unsure of your fitness and condition to dive, you will be required to undergo a medical examination. This may result in considerable extra cost for which you may be charged locally. No refunds will be given if you are refused medical clearance to dive. You are strongly advised to undergo a full medical examination before booking your holiday, and you must do so if you reply positively to any of the following questions in the following questionnaire. Medical Questionnaire
If your answer is yes to any of the following questions, you will need medical clearance from a doctor before you can dive: | | - Could you be pregnant or are you attempting to become pregnant?
- Do you regularly take prescription or non-prescrip tion medications (with the exception of Birth control)? Are you over 45 years of age have one of more of the following:-
- Currently smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipe?
- Have a high cholesterol level?
- Have a family history of heart attacks or strokes? Have you ever had or currently have:-
- Asthma, breathing difficulties, wheezing with exercise?
- Severe and frequent attacks of hayfever or any other allergy?
- Frequent colds, sinusitis, bronchitis?
- History of chest surgery?
- Any form of lung disease?
- Pheumothorax (collapsed lung)?
- Behavioural health problems?
- Agoraphobia or claustrophobia (fear of open or closed spaces)?
- Epilepsy, convulsions, seizures or under any medication to prevent them?
- History or recurrent back problems?
- History of back surgery?
- Recurring migraine headaches or take medications to prevent them?
- History of blackouts or fainting (full/partial) loss of consciousness?
- Motion sickness, seasickness, car sickness?
- History of Diabetes?
- History of back, arm, or leg problems following surgery injury or fracture?
- History of diving accidents or decompression sickness?
- Inability to perform moderate exercise (walk 1 mile within 10 minutes)?
- History of high blood pressure or take medicine to control blood?
- History of heart disease?
- History of heart attacks?
- Angina?
- History of ear or sinus surgery?
- History of problems equalising, popping ears with aeroplane or mountain travel?
- History of any type of hernia?
- History of colostomy?
- History of drug or alcohol abuse? |
Diving Safety Recommendations:
- Do Not over excercise before or after a dive.
- Do not be rushed into entering the water until you are ready & checked.
- If uneasy about a dive, do not proceed without liasing with the dive master first.
- Do not be afraid to abort a dive, what ever the reason.
- Descent slowly and at the bottom stop and take a couple of minutes to get your breathing & bouyancy under control.
- Always aim to surface with a minimum of 50 bar in you tank, even if you are the first to do so.
- Rinse ears with fresh water after each dive to help prevent infection.
- Drink plenty of fresh water before and after the dive, as this is the best prevention for decompression sickness.
- If you experience any abnormal physical problems after a dive, inform the dive master immediatley and assume it is decompression sickness related, until a professional confirms otherwise.
- Anyone suspected of having decompression sickness (The bends), should be immedialtey put on 100% oxygen, laid flat and kept hydrated with fluids. The nearest dive chamber facility should then be alerted.
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