BODY MASS INDEX (BMI)
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010Well every one, I hope you all have an absolutely FANTASTIC New Year, I know I am looking forward to more exciting times.
Here is an excerpt from an e-mail that I received from one of my clients, Mr. O, concerning his on-going problems with NMC and the Medical Evaluation Branch (MEB). When the new Medical NVIC came out, one of my major concerns was the BMI and sure enough that is a stickler.
Mr. O received a letter from NMC and was told he needed additional information from his doctor concerning his BMI and Sleep disorders.
With Mr. O’s approval and permission, I am posting this.
Well I don’t think its a bad thing that the CG screens folks in an attempt to make the industry safer BUT am a bit amused @ their thought process for example their letter to me Your BMI score of 43.2 (I used the BMI chart on the Internet & came up with 41) still FAT without a doubt! & the letter goes on with “puts you @ higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea, due to this BMI score , coupled with your safety sensitive duties as a master 1600GRT” that statement amuses me, so is that to say that there is less safety sensitive duties @ the 200 ton level? Falling asleep on a 199 ton tug towing a 4000 ton barge loaded with 1 million gallons of fuel seems quite safety sensitive to me?? so anyway I need to go see the Dr & have him tell them I do not suffer from lack of sleep.
As Mr. O states, and I agree, it is a good thing that CG is trying to make the industry safer.
Mr. O gave me permission to publish this so that others with BMI problems will be aware of at least one item that needs to be addressed. This will prepare you, in advance, and you can have the doctor (at the time that the physical is done) write a letter concerning any sleep disorders, breathing disorders, or any other weight related problems that the doctor can think of, to add to your physical. I am sure it won’t be the “end all” letter, but it will be one less thing that MEB will have to write you a letter about.
You should consider this as a proactive measure on your part and it might save you some heart aches, head aches, frustration and time, when going down the MEB road.
With this new physical form, BMI is not the only thing you need to pay attention to. Make sure your doctor writes you a letter to put with your physical should you have any of these problems: vision, hearing, heart, medications, surgery’s, mental, breathing, digestion, renal, etc., etc., etc.
Touch Keys with you later,
N.