PADI Open Water:
the paperwork

As with most things in life there are risks associated with scuba diving. 

Before diving it is important to assess our medical fitness to reduce unnecessary risks.

PADI courses are fun and informative, but before that fun can begin there are a few things

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Safe diving Practices

You’ll see these safe diving practices listed in our Tank-Ha Liability Form, but we have included these key points here to allow you to check-over them quickly.
  • Could you be pregnant, or are you attempting to become pregnant?
  • Are you presently taking prescription medications? (with the exception of birth control or anti-malarial)
  • Are you over 45 years of age and can answer YES to one or more of the following?
    • currently smoke a pipe, cigars or cigarettes
    • have a high cholesterol level
    • have a family history of heart attack or stroke
    • are currently receiving medical care
    • high blood pressure
    • diabetes mellitus, even if controlled by diet alone

Have you ever had or do you currently have…

  • Asthma, or wheezing with breathing, or wheezing with exercise?
  • Frequent or severe attacks of hayfever or allergy?
  • Frequent colds, sinusitis or bronchitis?
  • Any form of lung disease?
  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)?
  • Other chest disease or chest surgery?
  • Behavioral health, mental or psychological problems (Panic attack, fear of closed or open spaces)?
  • Epilepsy, seizures, convulsions or take medications to prevent them?
  • Recurring complicated migraine headaches or take medications to prevent them?
  • Blackouts or fainting (full/partial loss of consciousness)?
  • Frequent or severe suffering from motion sickness (seasick, carsick, etc.)?
  • Dysentery or dehydration requiring medical intervention?
  • Any dive accidents or decompression sickness?
  • Inability to perform moderate exercise (example: walk 1.6 km/one mile within 12 mins.)?
  • Head injury with loss of consciousness in the past five years?
  • Recurrent back problems?
  • Back or spinal surgery?
  • Diabetes?
  • Back, arm or leg problems following surgery, injury or fracture?
  • High blood pressure or take medicine to con- trol blood pressure?
  • Heart disease?
  • Heart attack?
  • Angina, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery?
  • Sinus surgery?
  • Ear disease or surgery, hearing loss or problems with balance?
  • Recurrent ear problems?
  • Bleeding or other blood disorders?
  • Hernia?
  • Ulcers or ulcer surgery ?
  • A colostomy or ileostomy?
  • Recreational drug use or treatment for, or alcoholism in the past five years?

Documents

Do I need to see a doctor?

Probably not, but maybe. You will notice that we do not ask you to submit a specific medical form. This is because as a certified diver you have signed documentation confirming that you will maintain physical fitness for diving and consult a doctor is this situation changes.

If you are not entirely sure if you are medically fit for diving then you should carefully review this medical questionnaire and consult a doctor if you need to answer yes to any of the questions.

Is this everything?

Yes. If you are not completing any courses with us and you are positively sure you are mentally and physically fit for diving, then our standard Tank-Ha Liability Form is the only form you will need to complete and sign.

Are these forms important?

Yes. We have shared all the documentation here so you can read through the information carefully before making a reservation and before diving with us. 

These forms need to be completed in order for us to be able to take you diving. If you are not comfortable or do not agree with statements in the forms then you should not sign the forms. Deciding not sign the paperwork will be treated as you cancelling your reservation and any refunds/vouchers will be issued according to our booking terms and conditions.

Medical Questionnaire

These are the core medical questions associated with PADI Discover Scuba Diving. If you need to answer YES to any of these questions you would need medical sign-off from a doctor.

This is only a quick check to help you right now. Before booking any training you should check the full medical and liability statements associated with the course.

  • Do you currently have an ear infection?
  • Do you have a history of ear disease, hearing loss or problems with balance?
  • Do you have a history of ear or sinus surgery?
  • Are you currently suffering from a cold, congestion, sinusitis or bronchitis?
  • Do you have a history of respiratory problems, severe attacks of hayfever or allergies, or lung disease?
  • Have you had a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or history of chest surgery?
  • Do you have active asthma or history of emphysema or tuberculosis?
  • Are you currently taking medication that carries a warning about any impairment of your physical or mental abilities?
  • Do you have behavioral health, mental or psychological problems or a nervous system disorder?
  • Are you or could you be pregnant?
  • Do you have a history of colostomy?
  • Do you have a history of heart disease or heart attack, heart surgery or blood vessel surgery?
  • Do you have a history of high blood pressure, angina, or take medication to control blood pressure?
  • Are you over 45 and have a family history of heart attack or stroke?
  • Do you have a history of bleeding or other blood disorders?
  • Do you have a history of diabetes?
  • Do you have a history of seizures, blackouts or fainting, convulsions or epilepsy or take medications to prevent them?
  • Do you have a history of back, arm or leg problems following an injury, fracture or surgery?
  • Do you have a history of fear of closed or open spaces or panic attacks (claustrophobia or agoraphobia)?

Small group = big fun

We proudly take our divers in small groups to provide the best service.

Small groups allow us to focus our time and attention on you to make sure you have the safest and most enjoyable experience possible.

Discover Scuba Diving / Open Water
Maxiumum 4 divers per Instructor

Playa del Carmen / Cozumel dives
Maximum 5 divers per Instructor

Cenotes
Maximum 4 divers per Instructor

We believe in quality

We consistently invest in new equipment and maintaining our equipment in excellent condition.

We are proud major-brand equipment we provide. Our standard equipment rental items are:

  • Regulator: Apeks ATA-40 (some with Suunto dive computers)
  • BCD: Zeagle Resort (with weight pockets)
  • Wetsuit: Cressi 2.5mm (ocean)
    or 5mm (cenotes)
  • Mask: 5 models available from Cressi, Beauchat, IST
  • Fins: Cressi branded, full-foot fins