PSDarchives.annualphysicals

Annual Physicals

11-15-02

Is anyone aware of standards for annual physicals for dive teams?

Our Haz-mat team gets annual physicals paid by the Dept. When I approached them about the dive team they said that it was a national standard for Haz-mat but not diving.

I couldn't find one in NFPA 1670 (unless I missed it).

I have seen some teams have it in their SOG, but our Dept. wants "national standards" Does anyone have any ideas?

Lt. Larry Moore
Akron Fire Dept.
Water Rescue Team

11-15-02

Our dive team has an annual physical program administered through a health care provider. We also have a hazmat team and wanted to cover the divers even though there is no standard to do so. If anyone wants to see our SOP's and or physical program I will be happy to send it out.

Greg Hayes
Fire Inspector/ Training Chief
Chanhassen Fire Department

11-17-02

Our team uses the NASAR PSD Standards which includes a medical standard. I forwarded them to a our health care provider who uses it with some adjustments.

Bob MacKay

3-19-03

The current issue of UHMS Pressure newsletter has an article on should
physical exams for diver be required annually.

http://www.uhms.org/PRESSURE/pressure.htm

How many of your departments require an initial physical?
An annual physical?
to be on the dive team as a diver?

How many teams require pre dive blood pressure checks?
Post dive blood pressure checks?

What vaccinations do you receive to be on the dive team?

Andrea Zaferes
Lifeguard Systems & RIPTIDE

3-19-03

Our team is required to have a physical exam annually that follows the same guidelines as a Haz Mat physical. Because of work being done by the Indianapolis Fire and Police Departments I foresee this physical becoming even more diver focused. The current annual exam also has dive related sections directed at dive team members only. This in addition to a pass/fail annual watermanship evaluation helps to motivate our team to exercise regularly and stay healthy. At this time we do not receive any special vaccinations.

Franklin Township Fire Department
Lieutenant Jerry Richert
Dive Team Coordinator

3-19-03

We require an initial and annual arduous physical to remain on the team. We
do not require Pre/Post BP checks.

Detective Estevan Martinez
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
,

3-19-03

Our team requires an initial physical exam then an annual physical swimming
test. We don't have a requirement for vaccinations, but highly recommend at
a minimum a tetanus shot. We also do not take BP pre/post dive.

Thanks.

Tim McClellan
Lee's Summit Underwater
Rescue & Recovery

3-19-03

Our team also is required to have a rapid neuro exam prior to and after any training's or dive operations. This includes a full set of vitals before and after. All info is documented and attached to the divers profile and put in his or her personal file

Franklin Township Fire Department
Lieutenant Jerry Richert
Dive Team Coordinator

3-20-03

We require an initial physical including respiratory evaluation. Divers
under 40 yrs. old, complete a annual medical questionnaire. If there are no
changes in medical conditions, they need a biennial respiratory physical.
Divers over 40 yrs., are required an annual respiratory physical and
Exercise Stress Test, plus E.K.G. All members of the department (not just
divers) are required tetanus shots and boosters plus Hepatitis B vaccine
and T.B. tests.
We have a special teams medic (T.E.M.S.) that responds with the team and
does periodic pre and post dive B.P.s.

Guy Matthews
Team Commander
Sauk County WI. Dive/Rescue Team

3-21-03

In regards to physicals, we are in the process of
re-writing our SOP's. In the new SOP's we will
require a mandatory annual physical and annual water
test. I have received some resistance from members in
regards to checking vitals on pre and post dives.

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Lifeguard Systems, Inc. Box 594 Shokan, NY 12481

Phone: 845-657-5544

Fax: 845-657-5549