COURSE OUTLINE

 

UHMS PHYSICIANS TRAINING IN THE

MEDICAL ASSESSMENT OF FITNESS FOR DIVING

 

DAY ONE

 

 

0800 – 0805

Welcome  

Chandler 

0805 – 0830

Introduction to the course                                

Wassel

 

Objective:  preparation of physicians to examine

commercial, research, public safety, government,

and recreational divers and determine their fitness

to dive.  Conduct:  introduce staff members;

distribute course syllabus and schedules; and

discuss resources available to participants.

 

 

 

0830 – 0900

Current Status of Commercial Diving                           

Chandler

 

Objective:  The importance of this course in

preparing qualified Physicians and health

professionals to examine professional

divers will be discussed.  The current status

of commercial diving in the world will be emphasized.

 

 

0900 – 1000

History of Diving and Diving Medicine I        

Wassel

 

Objective:  classical chronologic presentation

describing developments in diving and diving

medicine.  The history will serve as a base of

information upon which many of the other 

topics to be covered in this program will be built.

 

 

1000 – 1015

Coffee Break

 

1015 - 1100

History of Diving and Diving Medicine II

Wassel

1100 - 1200

Diving Physics and Physiology I

Vandemoer

 

Diving Physics Objective:  discussion of the laws

relating to the physical environment of diving. 

Topics to include:  the physiological implication

of the gas laws;  partial pressure of gases and their

acceptable limits

Diving Physiology Objective: review of the physiological

effects of the underwater environment.  Topics to

include: nitrogen narcosis, CNS O2 toxicity, HPNS,

CO2 and CO intoxication, and the concepts of

saturation and supersaturation.

 

 

1200 - 1300

Lunch - on your own

 

1300 - 1500

Diving Physics and Physiology II

Vandemoer

1500 -1515

Break

 

1515 - 1600

Pulmonary Barotrauma I

Wassel

 

Objective:  discussion of pulmonary barotraumas

as a clinical manifestation of Boyle’s Law.  Focus

will be on the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical

presentation, treatment, and prevention of pulmonary

barotraumas

 

 

1600 - 1800

Pulmonary Barotrauma II

Van Meter

 

 

 

 

DAY TWO

 

 

0800 - 1000

Non-Pulmonary Barotrauma I

Vandemoer

 

Objective:  the discussion will review the basic

physical principles, the anatomy and physiology

of the related structures, diagnosis, treatment, and

prevention of the nonpulmonary “squeezes”. 

These include otic, sinus, dental, gastrointestinal,

and equipment barotrauma.  Vertigo and DCS will

also be addressed.

 

 

1000 - 1015

Break

 

1015 - 1100

Non-Pulmonary Barotrauma II

Vandemoer

1100 - 1200

Decompression Sickness

Wassel

 

Objective:  presentation will describe the history

of the development of the bubble theory and

discuss the factors believed to play a role in

bubble formation, growth and resolution.  DCS

clinical recognition, treatment, and prevention

will be emphasized.

 

 

1200 - 1300

Lunch - on your own

 

1300 - 1500

Commercial Diving I - Medical Aspects

Van Meter

 

Objective:  Commercial diving activities with their

associated medical hazards will be discussed.

 

 

1500 - 1515

Break

 

1515 - 1700

Commercial Diving  - Medical Aspects II

Van Meter

 

Objective:  examine the organization of the

commercial dive industry.  The training, certification

standards, and professional activities of the divers

will be discussed.  Air, mixed gas, and saturation

diving will be addressed.  Emphasis will be on the

medical hazards relating to these topics.

 

 

1700 - 1800

Public Safety Diving/Contaminated Water Diving

Wassel

 

Public Safety Objective:  To examine the organization,

training, and certification standards of each type of

diving activity.  Pertinent medical problems associated

with each group will be discussed.  The equipment used

in Technical and Public Safety Diving will be demonstrated. 

Emphasis will be on equipment failures or equipment

misuse leading to diving injuries.

Contaminated Water Diving Objective:  Discussion of the

hazards of diving in polluted water.  The level of protection

provided by various types of  diving equipment, the methods

available to reduce risks, and decontamination procedures will

be reviewed.

 

 

 

Medical  - Legal Aspects of Determining The Fitness to Dive

Delise

 

Objective:  Defense and Plaintiff Maritime Attorneys will lead

an open interactive session discussing the legal ramifications

of  the topics covered in this course.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY THREE

 

 

0800 - 1000

Fitness to Dive Assessment

Wassel

 

Objective:  Systemic approach to the absolute and relative

contraindications to dive.  Return to diving after specific

disorders will be addressed.  Neurologic, otic, opthalmologic,

pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, gynecologic,

orthopedic, and emotional factors will be considered. 

Issues pertaining to females, the young, and the elderly

will be covered.

 

 

1000 - 1015

Break

 

1200 - 1300

Lunch - on your own

 

1300 - 1445

The Diving Medical Examination

Vandemoer

 

Objective:  The actual history taking and physical examination

of the diver will be discussed in a practical manner, so that the

physician is able to be thorough but cost-conscious.  The

actual instrumentation for office use will be described.  

A summary of the actual requirements for each class of diver

will be reviewed along with what work-up is necessary if they

are injured.  Finally, an examination of a diver will be demonstrated

 

 

1445 - 1500

Break

 

1500 - 1600

Hyperbaric Medicine - Current Status

Van Meter

 

Objective:  The current state of the art will be discussed. 

UHMS approved indications, treatment schedules,

contraindications and possible complications will be covered.

Emphasis will be on diving related disorders.

 

 

1600 - 1715

Case Presentations

 

 

Objective:  Local Dive Medicine Practioners and course

attendees will be invited to present their cases.  The cases may

involve:  nonpulmonary and pulmonary barotraumas, DCS,

commercial dive accidents, mixed gas and saturation diving,

accidents of surface oriented diving, dysbaric osteonecrosis,

and contaminated water diving.

 

 

1715 - 1800

Scientific Diving

Vandemoer

 

 

 

DAY FOUR

 

 

0800 - 1200

Demonstration and "Hands On" Commercial Diving

 

 

Objective:  equipment used in commercial diving.  Emphasis

will be on equipment failures or equipment misuse leading to

diving injuries.

 

 

1200 - 1300

Lunch - On your own

 

1300 - 1500

 

 

Case Presentations

 

 

Vandemoer

Van Meter Wassel

1500 - 1515

Break

 

1515 - 1630

Self-Assessment Examination

 

1630 - 1700

 

 

Class Review of Self-Assessment Examination

 

 

Vandemoer

Van Meter

Wassel

1700 - 1800

Certificate Presentation/Course Evaluations/Closing Remarks

Wassel

________________________

 

This is a specific training course to prepare physicians to examine commercial, research, public safety, and recreational divers and determine their fitness to dive.  The course will be modeled after the one offered in the UK by Prof. David Elliott, O.B.E.  For those physicians who successfully complete the course, the UHMS will certify him/her as one who has completed the course and should be regarded as an “Approved Diving Medical Examiner.”  Said certification will remain effective for three years; after which the physician will be required to complete a fourteen hour (2 day) recertification.  The UHMS will be working to gain approval of this course by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of the United Kingdom.  Course content will include: diving physics; diving physiology; diving history; hands on equipment demonstrations; nonpulmonary & pulmonary barotrauma; decompression sickness; status of commercial diving; diving medical examinations; contaminated water diving; hyperbaric medicine; and case presentations.  

 

CME Hours:  For MD/DO/PhD, or equivalent advanced degree, a Certificate of Continuing Medical Education Credits will be issued for those who complete an evaluation form.  

 

The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

 

The UHMS designates this educational activity for a maximum of 36 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

All faculty members and planners participating in continuing medical education activities sponsored by UHMS are expected to disclose to the participants any financial relationships with commercial interests.  Full disclosure of faculty and planner financial relationship will be made at the activity.

 

REGISTER ONLINE NOW: http://www.regonline.com/Fitness_to_Dive