Fitness to Dive: Introduction to the Routine Medical Evaluation of Recreational Divers: 2023 Pre-course

Fitness to Dive: Introduction to the Routine Medical Evaluation of Recreational Divers: 2023 Pre-course is organized by Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and will be held on Jun 15, 2023 at Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, San Diego, California, United States of America.

Description:
This course will strengthen your understanding and confidence in evaluating a routine recreational diver's "fitness to dive." Even in the best circumstances, spending time in the undersea environment isn't without its share of dangers, and various environmental factors can exacerbate them. Divers and those training to become divers frequently lack an understanding of the inherent dangers of the activity or an appreciation for how their preexisting problems may be exacerbated by the circumstances found underwater. To have informed conversations with patients, it is essential for physicians who are asked to evaluate an individual for recreational diving to have a fundamental understanding of SCUBA diving itself, the physiological effects this activity places on the body, and some of the common diving-related pathologies. This will allow the physicians to evaluate the individual appropriately. Sadly, most formal medical training does not devote enough time or attention to discussing these subjects.

The primary care professional who is occasionally requested to evaluate reasonably healthy persons who wish to take a SCUBA diving course or continue diving when new medical concerns occur is the target audience for this course, which is designed to serve as an introduction to medical evaluations for recreational diving and is tailored toward that audience. The overarching objective of the training is to familiarize participants with the process of doing routine evaluations, bring attention to the resources that are available for future assistance, and help participants comprehend the circumstances under which more complex difficulties should be discussed with or referred to an experienced physician who specializes in diving medicine.

This is merely an activity to continue medical education, and it does not lead to either certification or a certificate of additional qualification. This course is NOT meant to qualify physicians for the evaluation of commercial divers, nor is it intended to substitute the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society's (UHMS) Medical Examiner of Divers Course, the UHMS Physicians Training in Dive Medicine Course, fellowship training, or board certification in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. 

During this course, we will discuss the basic principles of diving and aspects of the routine recreational fitness to dive encounter: 

• Types of diving activity and equipment
• Diving injury epidemiology
• Basic diving physics, physiology and pathophysiology
• The Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire (completed by diver prior to visit)
• Pertinent history taking and physical examination
• Common medical and physical conditions related to diving risk
• Absolute contraindications to diving
• Medication considerations
• Documentation including the RSTC Diver Medical Physician’s Evaluation Form
• Available Resources including the Recreational Diving Medical Screening System and referrals

On completion of this course, the candidate is expected to:

    • Have a basic understanding of what is (and is NOT) entertainment diving
    • Have standard expertise concerning the threats of undersea activity and the interaction of underlying clinical conditions
    • Have better knowledge of just how to do and record a routine recreational fitness to dive assessment
    • Understand available resources for aid and also when to refer to a diving medicine professional
    • Understand the availability of more advanced training in diving medication