MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS for PEOPLE with DISABILITIES a Doctor Must Issue a Certification Indicating That There Are No Medical Restr

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MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS for PEOPLE with DISABILITIES a Doctor Must Issue a Certification Indicating That There Are No Medical Restr MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES A Doctor must issue a certification indicating that there are no medical restrictions that prevent a disabled person from practising HandiFly. An instructor will issue a certificate of aptitude (tandem or tunnel flight) to the disabled person under their control. Tunnel Flight Conditions that are compatible with the activity : Paraplegia (in this case two instructors must accompany the person in the tunnel to control shoulders and legs Hemiplegia Amputation (with or without the prothesis depending on it’s design) Deafness Blindness (where possible the person should be able to enter the switched off tunnel to feel their way around) Very minor forms of cerebral palsy Conditions that are not compatible with the activity: Tetraplegia Cerebral Palsy Autism (light autism may be acceptable) Colostomy or Urostomy Tandem Parachuting Conditions that are compatible with the activity: Cerebral deficiencies (i.e. Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegia, Stroke, Cranial Trauma Medullary deficiencies (i.e. Spina Bifida, paraplegia, tetraplegia) Neuromuscular deficiencies (i.e. degenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophy or multiple sclerosis) Osteoarticular deficiencies (bone, articular and congenital deformities) Unclassifiable aetiology Dyspraxia Related disorders (i.e. poor memory, sight, hearing, language, sphincter control, temperature control, pain. Conditions that would appear to be incompatible with the activity: Presence of a brain shunt, brittle bone syndrome (Lobstein), upper tetraplegia, serious heart conditions, behavioural symptoms, sickle-cell anaemia, or recent arthrodesis. Comments : Lack of control of the limbs is not a sign of inactivity. Various degrees of uncontrolled movements (spasms, athetosis, spasticity, tetany) can be observed and are often accompanied by a state of stress. Paralysis does not mean there is no pain. A pain pump can be used for self- management of pain relief. Some are fitted with a depressurisation valve. Bladder control is sometimes impossible. An external bag is fitted to collect urine. It must be emptied prior to boarding the aircraft and, if possible, depressurised. Maximum weight of 80kg is recommended. Parascending with a trike (individual flight) Nervous system: Anatomic and motor functions complete, maintenance of proprioceptive senses. An emotional state adapted to paragliding and parascending activities Conditions incompatible with this activity: Any permanent or temporary disorder that leads to lack of control such as: The after-effects of brain or central nervous system disorders whatever the cause as this increases the risk of a high-altitude cerebral oedema. Any alteration or loss of consciousness of unknown origin (i.e. epilepsy) is totally incompatible with the activity until the clinical or electrical symptoms have been absent without treatment for at least two years. Any alteration or loss of consciousness of unknown origin but more common (i.e. neurocardiogenic syncope, hyperventilation syndrome) is totally incompatible with the activity until the clinical symptoms have been absent without treatment for at least two years. Any psychiatric syndrome (known and under treatment or detected during the medical) is incompatible with this air sport (any debilitating psychiatric handicap). The same applies to any form of intoxication: alcohol, drugs or other toxic substances). NB: Pilots are recommended not to use mood-altering medication of any kind (such as a sedative or for stimulation) including those that are not necessarily obvious (codeine pain killers, cough medicine, anti-histamines, some anti-inflammatory medication, or muscular relaxants). A Doctor must take this into consideration when prescribing medicine and inform the pilot of the time it takes for a drug to be eliminated from the system. Also any risk involved in mixing drugs with other substances must be highlighted (risk of hypoxia, dehydration, fatigue or mixing with alcohol). Musculoskeletal System: Full upper body control is necessary. Conditions that are incompatible with this activity: - Untreated Instability of the shoulder following trauma - Loss of proprioceptivity in the arms, particularly following untreated trauma - Ensure that the head can be held in line with the rachis - Hernia or Incisional Hernia, spinal instability, osteosynthesis of the spine still in place. NB: Evaluate the necessity to remove any implanted devices that could cause problems in case of another accident; on removal, take into consideration the time for bone consolidation. Cardio-vascular system: Must be in a position to sustain prolonged efforts (Ruffier- Dickson test) of moderate intensity and of short but submaximal stimulation. ECG recommended for over 35s, mandatory for over 50s and in the case of hereditary or individual risk factors (obesity, high cholesterol, smokers) or for anyone with a clinical or suspected anomaly. Cardiac Stress Test recommended for over 40s and anyone showing a clinical, electrical or blood pressure anomaly or problem during the Ruffier-Dickson test. Hemostasis problems High blood pressure or unstabilised cardiopathy whether or not caused by arrhythmia. Peripheral vascular problems that could be increased due to compression caused by the harness or rig. Respiratory system: resistance under stress or effort (as for cardio-vascular) and tolerance of high altitude hypoxia. Respiratory Conditions that are incompatible with this activity: Chronic respiratory insufficiency, emphysema, untreated pneumothorax, progressive lung disorders. Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders: such disorders are acceptable if they do not lead to loss of consciousness or dizziness (treated diabetes or hypothyroidism) Disorders that are incompatible with this activity: unstable diabetes leading to seizures. Long-term corticoid treatment or adrenal insufficiencies. Ear, Nose and Throat: the person must be able to hear whispering from 1m. Disorder that are incompatible with this activity: Untreated Vertigo and balance disorders (Romberg test), Tubal catarrh, chronic ear infections. Tooth abscesses (barotraumatic inflammation of the pulp). Vision: Normal field of vision, binocular eyesight corrected to 9/10th, non corrected visual acuity in both eyes of at least 2/10th. Horizontal astigmatism must be normal or well corrected (to be able to see power lines). Optical vergence and perception of depth must be normal. Colour blindness is acceptable. Nonstabilised retinal detachment (monthly then quarterly check-ups). NB: It is recommended to have some form of attachment for glasses or to have glasses with non-corrective lenses for people who wear contact lenses. Various: Tetanus vaccination is mandatory and Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended. The presence of specific equipment (catheter, pain pump, colostomy or urine pouch) which interferes with the rig and harness. Ensure that the person has a valid medical certificate issued by his/her Doctor or a Doctor specialising in functional re-education. For a person weighing over 85kgs: - check their personal motivation - check that their condition is compatible with flight particularly with people suffering from spasms or with fragile bones or ligaments as the landing can be rather brutal. A Tandem master will always have the option to refuse a disabled passenger if the tonic neck reflex is insufficient to ensure a stable head throughout the jump. .
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