ASA Mission Specialist

Going to camp soon? Have questions about camp? Post them here for those that have gone to answer.

Moderator: Vincent

Post Reply
User avatar
DanM
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 233
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 9:11 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

ASA Mission Specialist

Post by DanM »

I might get the chance to go back to camp one last time before I graduate high school in 2013. I've been looking at the Mission Specialist track. What are the missions like? Do you have roles like Commander, Pilot, etc, or do kids from Pilot Track fill those? I also read to do the SCUBA, you might be excluded due to medical conditions. If I get a doctor's approval, would I still be able to do it with asthma? My allergist, who knows nothing about SCUBA, said I shouldn't because of the pressure on the lungs, even though that has no effect on scuba divers. If I get a pediatrician to sign it will I be good? Thanks!
Space Camp July 9-14 2006
Phoenix Bay-Team Armstrong

Space Academy June 17-22 2007
Bay 205-Team Orville

Advanced Space Academy-June 26-July 1 2011
Bay 221-Team Von Braun
User avatar
Boomerang
Counselor
Counselor
Posts: 6696
Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2001 8:36 pm
Location: Elizabethtown Kentucky

Post by Boomerang »

If you do the mision specialist track you will serve as an MS on the shuttle or similar role on ISS mission control will also have a related role. Pilots and commanders are only taken by pilot track trainees. MS track trainees do the EVA's and experiments as well depending on what your assignment is specificly.

As for the asthma I have seen campers turned away from scuba because of it thats not a definate no though. if your doctor approves you you might beable to do it but the dive team at camp make the final determination when you are there. I have seen them contact a doctor if their was any question as to whether a camper can dive. I was told asthma can cause problems breathing the compressed air from the scuba tanks so their is a chance you may not beable to.
Jason original callsign Loverboy
SC 1991
SA Level 1 1993
AC Intermediate 1996
ASA 1998
Corporate Space Camp 2005
AC Counselor Summer 07 callsign Boomerang
Adult Alumni Camp 2007
Adult Alumni Camp 2008
Official Space Camp Ambassador
User avatar
DanM
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 233
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 9:11 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Post by DanM »

I might become a certified diver before too, and I have dove before, when my asthma was much worse. I think if I am certified at the time, they'd let me.
Space Camp July 9-14 2006
Phoenix Bay-Team Armstrong

Space Academy June 17-22 2007
Bay 205-Team Orville

Advanced Space Academy-June 26-July 1 2011
Bay 221-Team Von Braun
User avatar
monkeynautt
Counselor
Counselor
Posts: 1910
Joined: Fri Mar 08, 2002 2:20 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Post by monkeynautt »

If you have asthma you will not dive. Doesn't matter if you have dived before or not. Even if your doctor says you can dive, the dive staff has final say and will not let you with any history of asthma.
-Laura
ASA:
Aug 2001 - Shepard
Aug 2002 - Shepard
July 2003 - Goddard
Dec 2003/Jan 2004 - Von Braun
May/June 2004 - Enterprise
Alumni SA:
June 2007 - Challenger
July 2009 - Columbia
Counselor:
Summer 2009
Robotics Counselor:
Summer 2010
User avatar
DanM
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 233
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 9:11 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Post by DanM »

monkeynautt wrote:If you have asthma you will not dive. Doesn't matter if you have dived before or not. Even if your doctor says you can dive, the dive staff has final say and will not let you with any history of asthma.
Wow, really? That policy seems somewhat extreme. It's probably for insurance reasons, or something along those lines. There's always a high liability for anything involving minors and water.
Space Camp July 9-14 2006
Phoenix Bay-Team Armstrong

Space Academy June 17-22 2007
Bay 205-Team Orville

Advanced Space Academy-June 26-July 1 2011
Bay 221-Team Von Braun
CRS
Counselor
Counselor
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:15 pm

Scuba Question

Post by CRS »

Unfortunately that is correct, there are 3 medical conditions that are automatic an "no" for scuba diving here on site - asthma, diabetes and epilepsy.
User avatar
Vincent
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 1167
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2001 12:55 pm
Contact:

Post by Vincent »

And therefore, it's probably a conversation that you should have with your doctor about what needs to go on your medical form...

...Everything relevant, of course! :D
bnaivar
Camper
Camper
Posts: 160
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:48 am
Location: Atlanta, GA

Post by bnaivar »

Just in case anybody is curious why diabetes is on the list, it's because diabetes medications change effectiveness with depth and pressure.
Outstanding Trainee Award-Adult Space Academy Sept. '90
Best Mission-Parent & Child Space Camp
Right Stuff Award-Adult Space Academy
Most Enthusiastic-Adult Space Academy
Best Mission-Adult Alumni Weekend June '08
Benji
HabForum Junkie
HabForum Junkie
Posts: 2050
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 11:52 am
Location: Madison, AL
Contact:

Post by Benji »

That's interesting, Bill. I had assumed it was because they were worried about your blood sugar dropping with the exercise and not being able to surface quickly enough. I know there are plenty of places that will let diabetics dive if they have very good control.
Ad astra per aspera.
User avatar
DanM
Pathfinder
Pathfinder
Posts: 233
Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 9:11 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Post by DanM »

Benji wrote:I know there are plenty of places that will let diabetics dive if they have very good control.
Again I'm guessing that they're so strict about this kinda stuff at camp because of the liability.
Space Camp July 9-14 2006
Phoenix Bay-Team Armstrong

Space Academy June 17-22 2007
Bay 205-Team Orville

Advanced Space Academy-June 26-July 1 2011
Bay 221-Team Von Braun
Post Reply