A good diving physical will include several parts that should be examined by a physician. The general examination includes checking for cardiovascular fitness and gastrointestinal function, visual ability, and barotrauma. Doctors may recommend additional tests to evaluate your diving abilities. It's important to talk with your dive doctor if you have a history of ear infections. A dive physical can provide you with the necessary information, even if your ear infection history is not present.
The importance of cardiovascular fitness
It is crucial to assess your cardiovascular condition before you consider diving as a hobby or career. Although this might seem easy, it's not. If you are unable to walk a block, don't sign up for a diving class. You should instead exercise for 20 minutes four- to five times per week. Even walking for a mile is not enough.
Examining the function of the stomach
Because ischemic colitis is possible during a diving expedition, it is crucial to check the digestive function of divers. Although divers may experience belching or abdominal discomfort, there is not much information about severe gastrointestinal complications. Some rare gastrointestinal conditions have been reported, including gastric rupture due to intra-gastric air expansion and massive pneumoperitoneum, which results from lung barotrauma. Scuba diving has never been associated with hemorhagic colitis, acute ischemic and mesenteric vein embombosis.
Examining visual acuity
Dive physicals are done to make sure divers can perform the necessary skills and to assess a diver’s vision. To determine if a diver has good vision, the diving professional will ask him or her to complete a visual acuity questionnaire. The test is designed to measure a person's vision acuity and distance vision.
Examining for barotrauma
If you're going scuba diving, you should take extra precautions to check for barotrauma. Barotrauma derives its name from the Greek words baros which is pressure and trauma which refers to injury. Dive pressure can cause damage or rupture to the eardrums. If you have a cold or congestion, diving can cause this condition. It can also lead to symptoms like vomiting or pain.
Asthma: Check for it
Before you go on a diving vacation, consult your doctor if you think you might have asthma. Asthma symptoms can worsen or wax and wane, and they can even get triggered by diving. Your doctor can prescribe oral steroids to treat your asthma. Keep an extra supply of inhalers with you on board your dive boat. A physician can perform an exercise test to assess your asthma and also do a test of your lung function to determine the severity.