HSE medical

[londonsean69]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

Don't know where you will do your HSE....but the e-Med Doc wanted 80 reps of the 18" step.....1 rep is left foot up, right foot up....left foot down.....right foot down!.....It is quite hard!

I use him as well, his name's Jules Eden, very clued up. The first time I had to do 100 cycles, this year was just the annual re-exam, and I had 70 cycles.

I'm 6ft3, and that step even seemed tall to me at first, but you get used to it after about 10 cycles, just get into a nice rythym, and try to stay relaxed.

You go on the ECG before (resting echo) do the steps, the do another ECG (Working echo). Thing is, he was trying to chat to me during the second echo, and all he got in return was a few gasps and wheezes! I was actually bricking it the first time because I have a small heart murmur, but he said that was OK, and he didn't even mention it this year, just the usual questions, where have you dived, any bends etc.

Seriously, you don't have to be super fit, but if 2 flights of stairs tire you out, then it's not going to be a pretty exam.

[Devon Diver]

First time I went to Jules I had 120 step ups, didn't change the lead leg at all and could hardly walk for a couple of days.
Annual repeats are 80 steps and I now change the leading leg each 10 steps, makes it a doddle.

[StokieRIch]

Never would have thought to change legs....

Got to go see Dr Clamp in Notts before end of May. That one tip could get me through.

Well, provided she doe not notice the O2 nasal feed im gonna need

[GaryC]

Does this mean that to be a PADI Instructor, then you have to go through this marathon.

I can see the reasoning for the commercial chaps (oil rigs and stuff) but not teaching recreational diving???

[Ed T]

Does this mean that to be a PADI Instructor, then you have to go through this marathon.

Yes - it's a legal requirement as of some time this month.
Bear in mind that there are different requirements for different sorts of diving. For recreational diving you only need an HSE Recreational (ACOP) Medical, for which the standards are much less stringent and no ECG is needed. However many doctors will just give you the full commercial style medical because it doesn't take much longer but they can justify charging c.£100!!

[Tank Girl]

Originally Posted by Ed T

Yes - it's a legal requirement as of some time this month.

Nope, it's law now if you are a diver at work in the UK.

According to the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 (DWR97) and the Recreational Diving Projects Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) if you are a diver (PADI/SSI/TDI Divemaster/Instructor/whatever) and you are in an "at work" situation then you require an approved medical. This isn't a PADI requirement it's a requirement of British law, and has been so for several years.

The HSE's definition of a diver at work is pretty broad, but in respect to the instruction of recreational divers it can be generalised as follows:

1/ You receive remuneration or benefit for conducting a dive. e.g. you receive payment to teach/assist.

OR

2/ The students that you are instructing have paid to be on that course, even if you yourself (the instructor/DM) are not being paid to do the work, i.e. you have volunteered your services to your local dive centre to guide or instruct their customers, even though you receive nothing in return other than the satisfaction of doing so.

The other thing to consider is that if you are classed as a diver at work under the above definitions then you also need to comply with other requirements of the ACoP and DWR97. Along with an approved medical these include: minimum team size of two in the water one at the surface in open water, O2 and first aid equipment and training, documented risk assessment and project plan, equipment servicing requirements, etc, etc.

PADI have a handy booklet of how UK divers in a recreational at work situation can conduct training within the law , also SITA produce a couple of booklets on risk assessment/project plans and general requirements. You download these from the British Diving Safety Group website at http://www.bdsg.org/proservices.htm.

TG

[GaryC]

Originally Posted by Tank Girl

PADI have a handy booklet of how UK divers in a recreational at work situation can conduct training within the law , also SITA produce a couple of booklets on risk assessment/project plans and general requirements. You download these from the British Diving Safety Group website at http://www.bdsg.org/proservices.

TG

Thanks for the info. Will look on the link (dont know whether or not it is me but I had to tap .htm on the end.)

I was interested because I didn't fancy jumping up and down 150 times on a 18" step just to take folk in for a training session. Welding the forth bridge under water I can understand. Will have to book an easy medical if poss.

Gary

[Tank Girl]

Originally Posted by GaryC

(dont know whether or not it is me but I had to tap .htm on the end.)Gary

It's not you Gary, I accidentally left the .htm off! Thanks - I've edited my post...

[wreckweasel]

Originally Posted by GaryC

I was interested because I didn't fancy jumping up and down 150 times on a 18" step just to take folk in for a training session. Welding the forth bridge under water I can understand. Will have to book an easy medical if poss.

Gary

Forgive the obvious sarcasm. "Hello, I'd like to book my wife onto a course in life support skills for an alien evironment. Do you happen to have any instructors who passed an easy medical, since Im not worried about her coming back if the instructor isnt fit enough to control an emergency situation. Whats that,.. garyc... he's the man? Cool. thanks ever so"

Ask yourself one simple question, how will you feel when you have to go and explain to the coroners court that you were too unfit to safely look after the people under your care.

(not meant as a dig, just a reality check)

[Garf]

100 steps a night for me at the moment, as well as an hour in the gym 5-6 days a week. If I fail, it'll be down to the years of smoking and not excercising enough, and I'll pass it eventually. I'd rather thake a toughie and know where I am than pass an "easy" one.