A deceptively easy way to die

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That's one of the things I'd like to see addressed in an updated version. Overheads in general. In my experience far more people are led by irresponsible and dangerous operators into so called swim thru's on "clean wrecks" and in reefs than are led into caves. A number of the deaths in caves were by people going in on their own with a buddy that was equally clueless.

People have died after being led on tours of wrecks put down as artificial reefs and natural wrecks. They have disappeared after being led through formations such as the Devil's Throat in Cozumel by so called "professionals". These "pros" have only a cursory idea of the skill level and comfort level of the people they are leading. If they have any at all. This is why such a video exists and why it should be shown to every new diver. So that they can be informed of one of the real risks of diving in an honest way.

Giving people information about the real risks is not going to scare them off if they really want to dive. Reports of the deaths of people will do a much better job of that. What I find ironic is that the agency that helped to produce this video does not make it mandatory viewing in the OW class. It's a 15 minute film. It can save lives and create better informed divers.

It might have some impact on those instructors and shops that take OW divers into caverns and overheads though. Like I was when I first got certified. Had maybe 20 dives and was taken on a night dive into the ballroom at Ginnie along with 7 or 8 other divers by the instructor. Some of them had just completed their OW checkouts a day before. No way in hell I'd do that had I seen this.

I have a student that tells me every time he's on a guided dive my voice pops into his head. Most recently it was when he was with a group that was being led and the DM entered the hold of a wreck that was wide open. He didn't go in as all he heard was my voice saying "You are not overhead trained. You have no business in there."

Even the most benign looking sites can kill a diver who is unaware. Those strands of algae hanging down from the ceiling conceal a control lever that could hook a bc or hose. Those planks laying on the floor have gaps big enough to trap that dangling console or octo and cause a panic reaction. That hole in the ceiling looks deceptively large. So you try to exit via it and you get stuck on something you can't see because you misjudged the clearance.

Being an adult has nothing to do with it. Look at the number of "here, hold my beer" videos on you tube. Or "hey, watch this" and tell me people are not sometimes idiots. Underwater that can kill, and one of the best ways to guard against that is education that is not sugar coated or glossed over.
 
Done according to rec guidelines and instruction, it's a safe activity, and one that doesn't necessitate a lot of worry and is actually pleasant.

In my opinion this being repeated over and over and over again by the agencies and by instructors is the single greatest fallacy in the sport. One that lulls divers into a complacency of gear maintenance and skills practice that is dangerous and reckless. What's worse, is that the people who put themselves at the most risk by not being well-trained, well-practiced, and well-equipped don't even know they are doing so BECAUSE instructors and agencies keep telling them, "Your're fine, scuba diving is perfectly safe."

It isn't. You don't need to go into a cave to die. As soon as submerge you are in an alien environment where the environment is trying to kill you. All divers would do well to remember it and to practice how to avoid it.

Oh... and they should stay the hell out of caverns/caves unless trained.

I'm all for an updated Deceptively Easy Way to Die being mandatory for, perhaps, Advanced Open Water, just as a new diver is starting to think they know it all.
 
Why assault patrons of basic scuba diving with this stuff? Wouldn't it be just as fruitful, maybe more, in Advanced or Cave or Instructor?

It just struck me as gratuitous.


I fail to see how any additional information that can provide new divers with knowledge and awareness of the potential risks in entering an overhead environment is gratuitous or counterproductive - this is precisely the group that will benefit the most. Those who are technically trained and equipped are more than likely well aware of the risks.
 
In my opinion this being repeated over and over and over again by the agencies and by instructors is the single greatest fallacy in the sport. One that lulls divers into a complacency of gear maintenance and skills practice that is dangerous and reckless. What's worse, is that the people who put themselves at the most risk by not being well-trained, well-practiced, and well-equipped don't even know they are doing so BECAUSE instructors and agencies keep telling them, "Your're fine, scuba diving is perfectly safe."

It isn't. You don't need to go into a cave to die. As soon as submerge you are in an alien environment where the environment is trying to kill you. All divers would do well to remember it and to practice how to avoid it.

Oh... and they should stay the hell out of caverns/caves unless trained.

I'm all for an updated Deceptively Easy Way to Die being mandatory for, perhaps, Advanced Open Water, just as a new diver is starting to think they know it all.
I am glad my instructors stressed that SCUBA CAN be safe. If you stay within your training. Anything outside of that and you are asking for trouble. I thought when I was certified I would be good to go dive anywhere. Apparently OW is only the start. He stressed no caves, no wrecks, never alone, and I should be diving with a more skilled diver until I advance my skills. Not saying that some people don't act like the sport is completely safe, but I was well warned of the dangers I could face. That said, it only made me thirst for me.
 
^^^^This! ^^^^^

Informed divers keep diving! Those who are not often get the crap scared out of them and drop out. Or are intimidated and pissed by how much they didn't learn and drop out. Or view it as just something else to do, do it once or twice, and drop out. They don't buy gear. They don't buy fills. They don't dive locally. So it's a one shot little bit of profit instead of a long term relationship with an instructor and shop.
 
They have disappeared after being led through formations such as the Devil's Throat in Cozumel by so called "professionals"

I don't disagree that this dive should not be for the rank beginner, but, probably not the best example of a recklessly dangerous dive. Considering the huge number of divers that do it, hard pressed to finds deaths related to it. Is it wise for all divers to follow their divemaster here, absolutely not.
 
^^^^This! ^^^^^

Informed divers keep diving! Those who are not often get the crap scared out of them and drop out. Or are intimidated and pissed by how much they didn't learn and drop out. Or view it as just something else to do, do it once or twice, and drop out. They don't buy gear. They don't buy fills. They don't dive locally. So it's a one shot little bit of profit instead of a long term relationship with an instructor and shop.
Yeah back in the day I had a friend who dived and always asked me to go with him. Said I didnt need training just follow his lead. I now realized hes potentially a statistic waiting to happen. Or at least possibly going to contribute to someone becoming one. Glad I never took him up on his offer. Although after studying all of my material and paying attention my instructor, I do feel like it's not that hard. I felt natural down there. But I still feel like getting to comfortable might lead to accidents. Back when I was a roofer it was the uncautious know it alls that just walked off the roofs!
 
I just wanna add that the most tragic outcome of untrained, ill-equipped divers getting into an overhead environment is not always death... I am sure we have all met people who have had the **** scared out of them and don't dive any more... that is an unfortunate stat that nobody keeps track off.
 
I know lots of former divers like that who have never been into an overhead environment.

The simple truth is that these lessons apply to a lot more than cave divers, and I dispute the notion that "adults" will recognize the obvious danger. Many ... if not most ... would not.

We humans are incredibly good at thinking we're more skilled at many things than we actually are. In scuba, that can tendency can get you into all sorts of problems you're not qualified to get yourself out of. Those who survive the experience often decide that diving isn't for them ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)
 
Is it bad that after seeing this I wanted to learn to cave dive?

I don't think so. After watching that, you should either want to get cave training, or want to stay the hell away from caves.
 
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