Medical exams for lifeguard/scuba diving

Just wondering if anyone has had a medical exam for lifeguarding or scuba diving? I have an interest in both and was wondering what all is involved.

Never had an exam for either but I would think it would be just a standard physical exam

I worked at a Boy Scout camp for 2 years while in College as a lifeguard. I had to provide evidence of a physical exam and update of vaccinations. I was required to use a clinic in town prior to starting work. The exam was very thorough beginning with blood work and urinalysis. Those were required before being seen. The appointment followed a week later and was very thorough. Undress to my briefs, get weighed, and then meet the doctor who checked every inch: heart, lungs, reflexes, abdomen, genitals including a hernia exam and DRE. I had to receive a tetanus shot at the end.

I have found this very very interesting form:

https://www.adc-int.org/files/Diver%20Medical%20Form.pdf

It includes anus, rectum, sphinchter tone, genitourinary, and detailed reflexes: babinski, abdominal and creamsteric. I haven't found any other form that specifies the cremasteric reflex! I have asked some people on reddit about it, and the thoroughness of the exam is dependent on the doctor doing it.

@Nick321 do you remember what reflexes were tested on you?

All recall is that I was fully exposed when it came time for checking my genitals including a very thorough feel of each testicle and examination of my penis. The DRE was intense. Then again, I wasn't accustomed to having that done! Reflexes seemed to be done in a standard way but I also wasn't a diver so that may have involved other things.

My sports exams including clearance to enroll in a WSI course were pretty basic. Heart, lungs, history, etc. hernia checks, but no other intimate checks

Just wondering if anyone has had a medical exam for lifeguarding or scuba diving? I have an interest in both and was wondering what all is involved.

If you are just diving recreationally with PADI or NAUI, there is no health exam. If you start getting into technical diving, commercial, military, etc. you will start to get into some fairly intense exams because of how much an effect the altered pressure/gas mix can have on the human body.

During all my scuba training there was no physical exam only a general health form to complete.

I understand that the lifeguard exams are quite basic.

I have found this very very interesting form:

https://www.adc-int.org/files/Diver%20Medical%20Form.pdf

It includes anus, rectum, sphinchter tone, genitourinary, and detailed reflexes: babinski, abdominal and creamsteric. I haven't found any other form that specifies the cremasteric reflex! I have asked some people on reddit about it, and the thoroughness of the exam is dependent on the doctor doing it.

I really fail to see the importance of those in a fitness exam for diving. Not that I'd mind, ofcourse 😄

I guess that some of the doctors doing exams for scouting and different physical activities are involved in research projects to obtain statistical medical data about young persons, and therefore add several very specific examination handlings. The detailled reflex rxams and prostate exams could be forr assessing the development staus for different age groups.

For Scuba Diving I read that they also check for Kenia

but also important is the ears because of the pressure

I really fail to see the importance of those in a fitness exam for diving. Not that I'd mind, ofcourse 😄

As this is a form for commercial divers specifically, I can see why they mandate such a thorough exam, especially a neurological and reflex exam. Decompression sickness is a very real risk for commercial divers, as is oxygen toxicity caused by breathing oxygen at higher than normal pressures. Both of these can cause serious neurological issues. In the case of decompression sickness the area of the body affected is fairly random, depending on where the gas bubbles come out of solution.

Because of this I can see the need to have a very comprehensive exam, both to serve as a baseline when assessing someone with acute decompression sickness, and to check for any chronic nerve damage developing. Ultimately commercial diving is a fairly short lived career for many divers because of these chronic issues, and exams like this would be important to detect any issues early in order to retire people from diving duties before severe incurable damage occurs. The job is highly paid for a reason folks!

I have. It was a very thorough exam including a genital exam. No prostate exam though

Really? Was this a lifeguard or a diver exam?

I actually had a physical exam for a scuba diving program i did on vacation. After I booked the session I got an email with the forms. I took it to my doctor and he completed it. It was a pretty typical exam.

I had a younger friend a few years back who worked at a local waterpark who had to have a sports physical when he first started as a life guard. The waterpark was ran by the rec center.