A good diving physical will include several parts that should be examined by a physician. A general exam includes checking your cardiovascular fitness, gastrointestinal function as well as visual acuity and barotrauma. Doctors may also recommend additional tests, such as x-rays, to further assess your diving abilities. If you have any history of ear infection, it is important to speak with your physician. Even if you do not have any ear infections in the past, a dive medical will give you all the information that you need.
The importance of cardiovascular fitness
Before diving as a hobby/career, it is important to assess your cardiovascular endurance. While this may seem like an easy task, it is far from simple. You shouldn't sign-up for a diving course if your ability to walk is not sufficient. 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
It is important to examine the gastrointestinal function of divers during a scuba diving physical. Ischemic colitis can happen during a dive expedition. While divers might experience abdominal discomfort and belching, little information is available about the severity of gastrointestinal complications. There have been rare cases of gastrointestinal problems, such as gastric rupture caused by intra-gastric air expansion or massive pneumoperitoneum. This is due to lung barotrauma. However, mesenteric vein thrombosis, acute ischemic colitis, and hemorrhagic colitis have never been linked to scuba diving.
Examining visual acuity
Diver physicals are used to verify that divers can perform the skills required and to evaluate a diver's eyesight. To assess if a diver's vision is good, a diving professional will ask the diver to fill out a visual acuity questionnaire. The test is designed to measure a person's vision acuity and distance vision.
Barotrauma screening
Barotrauma should be checked if you are going scuba diving. Barotrauma is a combination of the Greek words baros and trauma. Trauma refers to injury. When the pressure changes during diving, it can cause damage or even complete rupture to certain parts of the ear. You can get this condition if you are suffering from a cold, congestion, or while diving. It can also lead to symptoms like vomiting or pain.
Asthma testing
Before you go on a diving vacation, consult your doctor if you think you might have asthma. Dive vacations can trigger asthma symptoms, which can make it worse or worsen. Your doctor will likely prescribe you oral steroids to help with your asthma. You should always keep an inhaler onboard your dive boat as a precaution. To assess your asthma severity, your physician may also perform an exercise test and a lung function test.