A good dive physical should include a few parts that a professional should examine. Checking cardiovascular fitness, gastrointestinal function and visual acuity are all part of a general examination. Additional tests may be recommended by doctors to assess your diving skills. It's important to talk with your dive doctor if you have a history of ear infections. Even if there is no history of ear infections or you have never had them before, a diving physical will provide all necessary information.
Examining cardiovascular fitness
It is essential to assess your cardiovascular health before diving as a hobby and/or career. Although it may seem easy, this is not an easy task. For example, you shouldn't sign up for a diving course if you can't even walk a block! Instead, exercise for 20 to 30 minutes five times a week. You might need to walk for as little as a quarter of a mile.
Examining the digestive function
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. Hemorrhagic and acute ischemic colitis, mesenteric vein bleeding, and acute thrombosis have not been reported to be related to scuba diving.
Examining visual acuity
Dive physicals are done to make sure divers can perform the necessary skills and to assess a diver’s vision. A visual acuity questionnaire will be completed by the professional to determine if a diver is able to see clearly. Although the test's objective is to assess the distance and near vision of a diver, it also measures their visual acuity.
You should check for barotrauma
If you're going scuba diving, you should take extra precautions to check for barotrauma. Barotrauma comes from the Greek words trauma (meaning injury) and baros (meaning pressure). Pressure changes in a dive can cause damage to or even rupture of key parts and organs of the ear. It can also be caused by diving with a cold. You may also experience nausea or vomiting.
Checking for Asthma
Before diving, it is a good idea to consult your physician if you suspect you may have asthma. Your asthma symptoms can become more severe or less severe over time. They can also be triggered by diving. Your doctor will likely prescribe you oral steroids to help with your asthma. It is a good idea to have an emergency supply of inhalers at all times. Your doctor can also conduct an exercise test to assess asthma symptoms and do a lung function check to determine severity.