Sea Base High Adventure Medical Form (Page 2 of 6) in pdf

INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS

Exercise and the type of food eaten will affect insulin requirements. Any individual with insulin-dependent diabetes

mellitus should be able to monitor personal blood glucose and know how to adjust insulin doses based on these

factors. The diabetic person also should know how to give a self-injection. Both the diabetic person and one other

person in the group should be able to recognize indications of excessively high blood sugar (hyperglycemia or

diabetic ketoacidosis) and to recognize indications of excessively low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The diabetic

person and at least one other individual in the group should know the appropriate initial responses for these

conditions.

A diabetic person who has had frequent hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis or who has had frequent

problems with hypoglycemia probably should not participate in a Sea Base high adventure program until better

control of the diabetes has been achieved. Any form of diabetes requiring insulin control with medication

disqualifies an individual from participation in the scuba program.

SEIZURE DISORDERS OR EPILEPSY

A seizure disorder or epilepsy does not exclude an individual from participating in high adventure. However, the

seizure disorder should be well controlled by medications. A seizure-free period of at least one-year is considered

adequate. Exceptions to this guideline may be considered by the Sea Base health supervisor and will be based on

the specific type of seizure and the likely risks to the individual and to other members of the crew. Any seizure

activity regardless of control with medication disqualifies an individual from participation in the scuba program.

ASTHMA

It is expected that an individual with asthma will have consulted a physician in order to establish control of the

condition. The asthma should be controlled to essentially normal lung function with the use of oral or aerosol

bronchodilators. The patient should bring ample supplies of medication for the entire program. Individuals

undergoing allergic desensitization therapy who require injections during their adventure should bring their

medications and store a portion at Sea Base upon arrival.

At least one other crewmember should know how to recognize an asthma attack, how to recognize worsening of an

attack, and how to administer bronchodilator therapy. Any person who is approved to go to Sea Base who has

required medical treatment for asthma within the past six years must carry a full-size prescribed inhaler for the

length of the program.

Asthmatic individuals whose exercise-induced asthma cannot be prevented with

bronchodilator premedication, who require systemic carticesteroid therapy, or who have required multiple

hospitalizations for asthma should not attempt to participate in the strenuous activities of high adventure. Any

asthma history regardless of control, unless documented by a methacholine challenge test and found to be

resolved, disqualifies an individual from participation in the scuba program.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES

A psychological disorder does not necessarily exclude an individual from participation. Parents and advisors

should be aware that a Sea Base trip is not designed to assist participants to overcome psychological or emotional

problems. Experience demonstrates that these problems frequently become magnified, not lessened, when a

participant is subjected to the physical and mental challenges of a high adventure trip. Any condition should be

well controlled without the services of a mental health practitioner. Under no circumstance should medication be

stopped immediately prior to a Sea Base trip. Participants requiring medication must bring an appropriate supply.

Any psychological and emotional difficulties requiring medication may disqualify participation in the scuba program.

MEDICATIONS

Each participant at Sea Base who has a condition requiring medication should bring an appropriate supply and a

complete listing of medication prepared by a physician. In certain circumstances duplicate or even triplicate

supplies of vital medications are appropriate. People with an allergy to bee, wasp, hornet, or jellyfish sting must

bring an EpiPen or equivalent with them to Sea Base.

Sea Base High Adventure Medical Form Page 2

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