Scuba Diving

[hugnie21]

I'm travelling to the Red Sea, Jordan, and plan to (try to) learn how to Scuba Dive. I've heard I might need a doctor's letter stating I'm fit to do so but can't find any websites that confirm this. Any ideas?

[scubadiver]

Most diving agencies now rely on a "self certification" form. This is a sheet of questions about your health that you need to fill in and sign. If you have no major health problems, that is all you need- if you answer "yes" to any of the questions on the form, you would need to have further info filled in by a Doctor.

Most countries are now happy to accept these forms instead of full blown medicals, but you may wish to have a medical done anyway, for your first time- the problem is finding a GP that knows enough about diving medicine to know what he/she is talking about and hence make the medical valid!!

Speak to your local Dive shop/club for names of any local diving docs

[scubadiver]

I am assuming you will be learning via a PADI course. If you want to see the type of questions you will be asked in the self-cert form, go to www.PADI.com, then "Courses" then"Forms" then "Medical Statement Form" for a look.

The actual form for you to fill in should be given to you when you start the course. you can find a list of competent diving docs on www.uksdmc.co.uk

If you decide you would rather have a medical

[nickmo]

And just to add, make sure the dive school is recognised by one of the qualifying authorities and that you get the correct tuition.

Ask your local dive school about any resorts you are going to as they may know the facility and also be able to offer a part pre-qualification such as an introduction course here before you travel, which will let you get straight to the course rather than spend some time on a learning curve in the resort pool first.

[rcl1]

the above answers are more specific, but you cant scuba dive if you have asthma, i know this as it was something my brother wanted to do and couldnt for this reason. I went snorkelling in sharm el shaike (think i spelt that wrong) and it was amazing, great alternative if you cant go scuba diving.

[scubadiver]

Asthma isn't an absolute contraindication to diving, as long as it is controlled. I know several divers who dive but have asthma.

This is exactly the type of question that would be picked up by the self-cert forms and need further info from a doc

[hugnie21]

Thanks very much for your replies!