With Medico's hat firmly on... I endorse that people should regularly visit their GP for a general health check (i.e. at least once a year).
OK, because I have a PPL, I have to see a DAME (Designated Aviation Medical Examiner) every 2 years (now I am over 40). I must say, this is very much an incentive to remain healthy and practice healthy living so I can continue to fly. We do a Form 2 once a year for our aircraft, why shouldn't the same apply to the pilots ;-) There are diseases that can silently creep up on you (that is no symptoms): i.e. high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes. If caught early enough, many of these diseases are amenable to treatment. Also, because us glider pilots are a sun loving lot, having your skin checked (for moles, carcinomas, melanoma). Melanoma is a potential killer, but if caught early may be curable. Mental disease (especially depression) is also amazingly common, although not many people would like to admit that. Again early intervention is much better than later treatment. Blokes tend to be notorious for denying the existence of depression (see: http://www.beyondblue.org.au). I am sure many of us know of someone who has taken their own life. Prevention, or even early intervention is much cheaper than cure in many cases. If at all possible, try and have a regular GP and visit them regularly. My 2.2c Michael _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
