6 Responses to “Scuba Diving & Aviators Medical Certificate?”

1. admin says:

   March 28 at 12:21 am

   In article <4cvjmn$…@tuna.hooked.net>
              kd…@tuna.hooked.net "Ken Cochrane" writes:
   

   > Recently diagnosed with type II on oral meds.  Can diabetics still scuba
   > dive?  Can diabetics get an aviators medical certificate for private pilot
   > rating?  Thanks

   Don’t know about the pilots rating. Cannot see why not. In the UK, diabetes
   (I or II) does *NOT* automatically disqualify divers from B.S.A.C. At least,
   not the last time that I did a diver’s medical, but that’s over a year ago.

   Good luck!
   —
   Nick Hacking
2. admin says:

   March 28 at 12:21 am

   You can scuba dive, but be sure your BGs are good before doing
   so and be sure and tell the dive master.
   

   As to pilot restrictions, that is a very sore point with me, as
   I have been fighting the FAA medical branch for almost 5 years.

   To qualify you must submit the following:

   Fasting and 2 hour post parandial blood sugars, showing 120 or
   less on fasting, 160 or less PP and an A1c of 8 or less.  These
   have to be done, on a monthly basis for at least 3 months.  You
   must have a stress test and EKG, within normal limits and done
   to maximal stress levels.  You must have a letter from your
   endocrinologist attesting to your medications and that they
   will not prohibit your safe operation of an aircraft.  All of
   this then gets submitted to a medical examiner, who will call
   Oklahoma City while you are there and obtain authorization to
   issue the 3rd class medical.  Approximately a month later you
   will receive a letter from the FAA, telling you the medical
   certicate is revoked, and enclosing a replacment for a period
   of 6 months.  During that period, you must submit at least 3
   additional blood tests, in accordance with the above numbers.  
   They will then issue an extension.  They can continue to
   restrict your certificate and continue to require testing and
   retesting and retesting for so long as they like.

   If you change your medication, or dosage, you must immediately
   notify the FAA and until you receive clearance cannot fly as
   pilot in command without a properly rated safety pilot aboard.

   If you begin taking insulin, kiss it goodbye.  There is no
   means by which an IDDM can obtain a medical certificate in the
   United States.  Additionally, you cannot obtain a class II or
   class I certificate with oral medications.

   Any other questions?  Oh, yeah, I finally gave up after 12
   monthly blood tests when my endo changed my medications.  I
   miss it more than anything I have ever done, but I just don’t
   have the energy to continue the fight…
3. admin says:

   March 28 at 12:21 am

   Wes Grady <wesgr…@mhv.net> wrote:
   >If you begin taking insulin, kiss it goodbye.  There is no
   >means by which an IDDM can obtain a medical certificate in the
   >United States.  Additionally, you cannot obtain a class II or
   >class I certificate with oral medications.

   The FAA is currently reviewing the current ban on IDDM pilots, and is
   expected to apply the same standards as the one for NIDDM to issue a
   special certificate.

   Pain in the butt, yes, but if you love flying, it is worth the fight.

   Shyam Jha

   PP ASEL IA
4. admin says:

   March 28 at 12:21 am

   On 9 Jan 1996, Ken Cochrane wrote:
   

   > Recently diagnosed with type II on oral meds.  Can diabetics still scuba
   > dive?  Can diabetics get an aviators medical certificate for private pilot
   > rating?  Thanks
   > —
   > Ken Cochrane

   I’m type I (which I think is generally treated as more severe by the folks
   making these regulations) and I was able to get SCUBA certified here in
   LA county (CA) without any problem about 7 years ago, although I think I
   had to write an explanation of my condition for someone’s files.  When
   you go, a handy sugar source is 2 or 3 peeled oranges, separated and in a
   netted bag.  They’re pretty tasty btwn breaths, though a little salty.
                                           Sincerely,  Bryan
5. admin says:

   March 28 at 12:21 am

   On 9 Jan 1996, Ken Cochrane wrote:

   > … Can diabetics get an aviators medical certificate for private pilot
   > rating?  Thanks

   If you’re taking insulin, forget it. If you’re controlling with diet &
   exercise, yes. If you’re taking oral meds, maybe.
   —
   Bluejay Adametz, CFII, A&P      feathr::blue…@ampakz.enet.dec.com
   AMP-Akzo Co.                    blue…@ampakzo.UUCP
   Greenville, SC, USA             +1 864 675 7425
   —
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   fellow diners who were using the pointed knives to pick their
   teeth as well as cut their food.
   —
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6. admin says:

   March 28 at 12:21 am

   blue…@ampakzo.UUCP (Bluejay Adametz) wrote:

   >On 9 Jan 1996, Ken Cochrane wrote:

   >> … Can diabetics get an aviators medical certificate for private pilot
   >> rating?  Thanks

   >If you’re taking insulin, forget it. If you’re controlling with diet &
   >exercise, yes. If you’re taking oral meds, maybe.
   >—

   I wouldn’t be so categorical and say "forget it".

   After all, the FAA is actively considering letting IDDM’s fly under
   specially monitored conditioned.

   Please see AOPA on CompuServe for details.

   Shyam Jha

   PP ASEL IA