First medical... Any tips?!

[dns]

Initial CAA class 1 coming up on Tuesday and I'm crapping myself...

Thanks everyone who's helped with with the tricky eyesight questions over the past few weeks, I'm feeling (slightly!) more comfortable about that side of things now.

I'm thinking of getting a local hotel Monday night so I don't have to stress about traffic on the day, but I'm not looking forward to the inevitable sleepless night worrying about it.

Will having a couple of beers to help sleep be any disadvantage the following day? (obviously not a full on bender,

Has anyone got any general tips that could be handy?!

Thanks!

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[OvertHawk]

Do whatever you can to make sure it's as normal a day as possible.

Staying in HOTAC the night before might well save you travel stress - but sleeping in your own bed may get you a better night's sleep.

Difficult call but it's up to you. (I'd go for HOTAC myself).

If you can get a good night's sleep without a couple of beers then do so - if you can't then think carefully about whether this is the career for you since that is a slippery slope that is all too easy to fall down in this game. Even a couple of beers will show up on your breath when you're saying "Ahhhhhh" to the doc the next morning. He will notice - he won't necessarily mark you down but it won't win you any points if you're marginal on something else. It also won't help your blood pressure.

Avoid caffeine the morning of - that can send your BP up too and whilst it might make you feel better it probably won't help you perform or appear better.

Don't exercise heavily before the medical - Gentle wander round the car park just to relax a bit - ok. 30 min at full chat on the treadmill in the gym at the hotel not ok.

Give yourself plenty of time (as per your traffic remark). it won't do your BP any good nor endear you to the doc if you arrive ten min late sweating like a pig.

Be ready to give a urine sample - i.e drink enough - nothing more stressful than not being able to pee when required. If necessary on arrival ask to give the sample immediately even if your appointment tis not for a while. Most medical staff will understand this if you explain.

If it helps - any dealings i've had with CAA med branch have been fair and reasonable.

They're there to make sure that your fit and safe - they're not looking for a reason to chop you.

Chill out. Relax as much as you can. Be honest. Do not try to bull****. If you're tired after a crap night's sleep because you're nervous - tell him. If you're a bit out of shape admit it and tell them what you're going to do to address it.

Good luck

[dns]

Thanks for the advice OH!

​​​​​I'll keep booze off the agenda for the night (although ironically it was flying for a living which got me into the habit of drinks before bed as I used to be cabin crew!)

Thanks for the advice on caffeine, hadn't even thought about that. Covid means I've had no reason to get up early for months, so I'd have normally reached for a few teas and coffees when getting up earlier than usual
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[Radgirl]

You are 38 and I presume you dont have any significant illnesses, havent been diagnosed incorrectly with asthma or told your GP in the distant past that you were depressed

Your only hurdle really is the eye test simply because the level required is high for an initial class one and a proportion of the healthy population will fail.

Otherwise you are only being asked to be medically normal. You dont need supernatural heart or lungs, and in any case medicine cant measure super normal, we only detect pathology in general terms. The chances of you failing are therefore infinitesimally low. A fraction of 1%. Dont let the word 'examination' terrify you. It is an inspection. Fear is your worst enemy. You cant prepare but you neednt unduly worry....but you will

[dns]

Originally Posted by Radgirl

You are 38 and I presume you dont have any significant illnesses, havent been diagnosed incorrectly with asthma or told your GP in the distant past that you were depressed

There lies the problem unfortunately... I've previously been treated for depression (going back over the past 10 years) but I'm now symptom and medication free...

​​​​Any idea how I can expect them to look at that part of my history?

[Radgirl]

OK so now you can concentrate on the one issue that might be a problem.......glass half full not half empty ------and we will assume you will fly through the rest of the 'inspection'

There are many many threads on pprune in relation to mental health for you to look through, although they are rather wearing.

[dns]

I've had a look through the forum, but it's hard to find anything conclusive about depression.

Common sense says they can't just stop everyone who's had depression from getting a class 1 (for various reasons like Equality Act, how common the condition is etc).

I'm assuming I'll have to have a referral to a specialist, but I've had a hard time getting any information out of the AeMC on how that gets organised etc

[Beaker_]

I'm not sure if it'll be dealt with much differently with COVID, but here's a rough idea of what to expect: If you've had issues with depression in the past, you'll probably be referred to a psychiatrist who will discuss your history and write a report back to the AME based on this. It won't be anything to worry about; just a chat to understand how it came about and make sure you are well now.

The AME will send this off to the CAA and you'll be invited for a chat with their psychiatrist who will review the notes with you and again make sure you are well now. All being well you should then get your medical in the post shortly afterwards. I hope that helps!

[dns]

Thanks for your thoughts Beaker, much appreciated!

​​​​​By this time tomorrow I should know a lot more about the process and have it much clearer in my head (assuming they don't find anything else wrong with me!)