From: jcv26@cas.org (Jon Vander Hill)
Subject: Re: Diving and Lyme disease
Organization: Chemical Abstracts Service, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 20:37:47 GMT

Dave Waller writes:

   jcv26@cas.org (Jon Vander Hill) writes:
   > 
   > (Not quite a) Dr. Waller or DAN?  You be the judge.

   I'd take DAN any day.

   Jon, this appears to be an inflammatory swipe at me; is that the way
   you intended it?  As I clearly stated in the text from my original
   response, I am not a physician, and as such recommended in no uncertain
   terms that a diving physician should be consulted.  What point were
   you trying to make with the above sentence?  I have no quarrel with
   you, but perhaps you're trying to create one.

No flamage intended.  Having just read the original poster's own
response (where he summarized his conversation with a DAN physician),
I was struck by the unintended irony of your post.  As I recall, 
despite your statement that you are not a physician, you proceed,
based on what you know of Lyme disease and presumably of medicine,
to reason that in general a diver with Lyme disease is okay to
dive which is at least inconsistant with conclusions reached in more
informed medical circles i.e. DAN.

   > When in doubt about diving with a specific medical condition,
   > give DAN a call at (919) 684-2948 (non-emergencies).  You don't
   > have to be a member to call.

   While DAN is a good resource, they cannot be a substitute for an actual
   examination by a diving physician. Now, given a third choice,

	   1) Dave Waller's off the top of his head opinion,
	   2) Call DAN to resolve this question,
	   3) An examination by a diving physician

   I would say that #3 is the best choice.

So would I.  And #2 the second best and #1 unnecessary
given that #2 is so easy to do and to advise others to do.

   DAN is obligated to give this
   person the most conservative, worst-case targeted advice.  As with any
   physiological condition, exceptions can and are made.

Of course.  As with any medical advice, if you don't like it, seek a
second opinion.  

   I have a
   student in my class right now, for example, that has a past history of
   asthma, and as such I am requiring a release from a physician before I
   will take this person in the ocean.

YOU'RE requiring?  This may be a difference in agency policy, but aren't
you OBLIGATED as a YMCA instructor to do so?

   As this individual's particular case history is that the asthma was a
   childhood problem, and has not reoccurred in the last 13 years, I feel
   comfortable telling this person that their chances are good that a
   diving physician will grant a release to participate in diving
   activities.  However, I don't KNOW that this will be the case.

The instructor's role is to inform the student to
seek medical advice, not to raise hopes or guess at chances.  A
student saying yes to a question on the medical history is a medical
issue to be resolved by the student and his/her doctor.  It is not a
SCUBA training issue.

   Based upon the sketchy information as present by the original author,
   I stand by my comments, and do not believe that Lyme disease is a
   contraindication for diving, no exceptions, period.
   Each case must be evaluated individually on its own merits.

You're entitled to your opinion and entitled to share it with
the net.  I am not obligated to accept mere personal opinion as
informed medical opinion.  I choose to go elsewhere (DAN specifically)
for that, if you don't mind.  I also suggest that others do the same.

   > Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.

   Perhaps you should take your own advice.

Sorry.  Dave, I really do enjoy your divecomp program.  Not
very random, but hopefully kind.
--
Jon Vander Hill
jon@cas.org
PADI DM, NACD & NSS-CDS Full Cave