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Permalink Reply by Scott on February 17, 2010 at 12:14pm

Actually there was an instance in the papers not too long ago of a commercial truck driver that became T1 after getting his CDL. He was allowed to keep it, after appeal, however the DOT doesn't want him to let his BG get below 180...

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Permalink Reply by The Diabetic Welfare Queen on February 17, 2010 at 12:20pm

Wow, that's really irresponsible...

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Permalink Reply by Joe_h on February 17, 2010 at 12:49pm

here in 98 it says you can be a bus driver in some states
http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/1998/09/01/1257/bus-drivers-with...

Arizona and North Carolina recently agreed not to fire or refuse to hire school bus drivers simply because they have diabetes. Both states had laws that prohibited people with diabetes who use insulin from operating a school bus, and had enforced these laws without regard to an individual's safety record.

The U.S. Justice Department challenged the laws under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and recently reached an agreement with both states to have them enact new regulations that do not discriminate against drivers with diabetes.

AND HERE it says you can't be an interstate bus driver:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos242.htm
People with epilepsy or with diabetes controlled by insulin are not permitted to be interstate bus drivers.

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Permalink Reply by Christina on February 17, 2010 at 5:36pm

wow, 180 is still high.

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Permalink Reply by Bug74 on February 19, 2010 at 5:48pm

Scott,
that is scarey!! I have a cousin who is a truck driver and T2. He said there are many drivers who avoid going on insulin for this very reason. Driving a truck with a high bg isn't any better in my opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Joe_h on February 17, 2010 at 12:09pm

I know there are restrictions on getting a pilots license and getting certified in scuba but don't think it's an outright ban on it. can't imagine that a person that can prove they are in control of their sugars can't do that job but guess it would depend on your state rules for driving a bus.

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Permalink Reply by Alicia on February 17, 2010 at 12:19pm

I heard that commercial pilot is a no go as well as Armed Services of any kind...bummer for both things for some people. I did hear that bus driver was a no as well..especially driving school children for fear of a low BS level.

I thought it was a public servant position was something T1 were unable to perform due to changes in BS levels. I advised my son to become anything his heart desires and we will confront things as they come. Chin up Michael,you can be anything you want in some way or another.

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Permalink Reply by Joe_h on February 17, 2010 at 12:45pm

there is always work around any issue.

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Permalink Reply by Marps on February 17, 2010 at 12:30pm

I'm a private pilot and I have the ability to go commerical pilot in the future. I'm T1D. The rules in the AOPA are really outdated and they recognize that. They have strict rules, but with a Continuous Glucose Monitor, they eleviate a lot of those rules.

Here are the rules for USA:
The USA offers pilots with diabetes full private pilot privileges. Applicants must pass a Class 3 medical test and supply additional medical records and tests to demonstrate good overall diabetes control. The Class 3 medical is valid only within the US borders and holders must obtain three-monthly check ups to confirm continued good diabetes control and submit on an annual basis to validate the Class 3 Medical.

The Class 3 medical certificate allows solo flying for training and full privileges of a Private Pilot Certificate. To ensure safe flight, the pilot must adhere to pre-flight and in-flight blood sugar testing requirements that include a test half an hour prior to flying, each hour into a flight, and half an hour prior to landing. A pilot with Type 1 Diabetes must keep sugar levels within 100 – 300 mg/dl (5.5 – 16.6 mmol//l). If above 300 pilots must land and bring sugars back within range before flying again. If below 100, pilots must ingest 20 g of readily absorbable carbohydrate (e.g. sweet drink/soda, candy).

For example, eating 20g of carbs would SKYROCKET me. So, these guidelines need to be catered to us individually, I think, but looking back only 15 years ago and we weren't even allowed to TOUCH a plane. So, this is progress.

I, too, was rejected by the military due to T1D. They said they don't want the lives of other soldiers to be in my hands and I pass out on the infantry line. I've since read other members here who joined the military, but needed to keep an A1c under 6.0 to stay enlisted.

Scuba diving is listed as dangerous for a T1D and I'm not entirely sure why? But I've been rejected by scuba instructors for wanting to go on a trip as a student. They said no. Since then, I've researched and found sites that say we can go scuba diving, but their restrictions are completely unrealistic.

Basically, as long as you're a responsible diabetic, it should be nothing more than having a food allergy or something. Shit's gonna happens sometimes, there's nothing you can do about it. But as long as you prepare for the bad stuff while you're at work, there's no reason why we can 't do what everyone else does. End of story.

You always have the right to appeal. Or witthold your T1D unless asked.

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Permalink Reply by Joe_h on February 17, 2010 at 12:51pm

as far as scuba goes I assume it's because it's hard to test underwater and if you are running a low how do you get sugars? you can't eat underwater and can't surface too quickly or you risk the 'Bends'

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Permalink Reply by Mike Ratrie on February 17, 2010 at 2:15pm

Joe, you are absolutely correct. I am a certified SCUBA diver and the current PADI regs to their instructors say diabetes is an "absolute contraindication". However, if you have a good instructor and can show that you are in "good control", you should be able to get certified. Your doctor needs to be on board, too, since you need something from a doctor to say you are otherwise healthy enough to go diving.

I haven't had to try this yet, but I also carry a tube of glucose gel in my dive vest (BCD), so if I go low I can twist the top off and squirt some in my mouth, swallow, put the regulator back in, breathe and repeat.

I also don't go in the water if my BS is 100 or lower, and typically eat something beforehand so I know I will be heading up. Most dives are around an hour, so I can normally test after getting out and begin any corrections.

Fair Winds,
Mike

PS - I have done 3 dives in the past 10 days.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Ratrie on February 20, 2010 at 10:00am

JT,

Interesting. I guess if your body is working (burning calories) to keep up the body temp, then yes, it could be a factor in a dropping BG. Of course, when diving, I am always wearing a wetsuit to help keep the body temp up. Now I don't have a lot of body fat, so I DO find that when diving in a group, I am the one who gets cold first. Could the D be playing a role here?

Could be another thread...

Fair Winds,
Mike

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