Ozwald
Contributor
First, forgive me because I am of little experience BUT....
I keep reading about all these dive accidents which has me thinking that perhaps any and all certifications should be accompanied by a "common sense" lesson right from the get go.
Prior to my getting into the sport of scuba I joined this board. I read about all of the different posts on dive preparedness and equipment malfunctions, different exposure protection and all of the different scenarios that divers with a lot of experience, some not, have faced in different environments. With all of that information I have come realize what my comfort levels are. Prior to my partaking in my certifications i interviewed the person who would be instructing me and I made it quite clear how my world waggles.
Prior to any diving I run through the scenario's in my head over and over. If at any time I feel "hey, somethings a little wonky or I'm not as comfy as i'd like to be"...that's it, thumbs up!
Now while I'm not so sure that this doesn't happen but reading about all of these incidents it has me wondering if common sense is leaving the room because someone has been to 100 feet and feel that they are invincible.
In my rather short time of diving I have witnessed more than one "accident waiting to happen". All the way from a "Divemaster" candidate with two students asking my instructor/dive buddy how to read his gauge to 80 year old men who could barely carry his equipment or walk onto the boat without assistance and actually died 3 months prior and was revived, blaming it on his gear wanting to try new gear on a dive 130' plus.
This to me screams "no common sense".
I know accidents are going to happen but I firmly believe that most of the time it's diver error or bad judgement. Also, the "macho factor". Is it hammered into a diving student that it's okay to call a dive or to not do the dive because you are unsure? I don't think so because it wasn't in my original OW cert done up here in Canada. It was however while going through my different certs in The Keys.
I know my limits and what I am capable of and I strictly adhere to those limits. I check my equipment 2 or 3 times before taking a plunge and again before hitting 30 feet. I'm always checking my gauges and monitoring my air at least every minute or two. Too much perhaps but it makes me comfortable.
Perhaps before OW any certifying agencies course should be "the common sense approach to diving safely".
I really do hope I haven't offended anyone and this post is in no way intended to criticize those that have had the unfortunate happen, but there just seems to be a lot of unnecessary loss of life and close calls happening.
I keep reading about all these dive accidents which has me thinking that perhaps any and all certifications should be accompanied by a "common sense" lesson right from the get go.
Prior to my getting into the sport of scuba I joined this board. I read about all of the different posts on dive preparedness and equipment malfunctions, different exposure protection and all of the different scenarios that divers with a lot of experience, some not, have faced in different environments. With all of that information I have come realize what my comfort levels are. Prior to my partaking in my certifications i interviewed the person who would be instructing me and I made it quite clear how my world waggles.
Prior to any diving I run through the scenario's in my head over and over. If at any time I feel "hey, somethings a little wonky or I'm not as comfy as i'd like to be"...that's it, thumbs up!
Now while I'm not so sure that this doesn't happen but reading about all of these incidents it has me wondering if common sense is leaving the room because someone has been to 100 feet and feel that they are invincible.
In my rather short time of diving I have witnessed more than one "accident waiting to happen". All the way from a "Divemaster" candidate with two students asking my instructor/dive buddy how to read his gauge to 80 year old men who could barely carry his equipment or walk onto the boat without assistance and actually died 3 months prior and was revived, blaming it on his gear wanting to try new gear on a dive 130' plus.
This to me screams "no common sense".
I know accidents are going to happen but I firmly believe that most of the time it's diver error or bad judgement. Also, the "macho factor". Is it hammered into a diving student that it's okay to call a dive or to not do the dive because you are unsure? I don't think so because it wasn't in my original OW cert done up here in Canada. It was however while going through my different certs in The Keys.
I know my limits and what I am capable of and I strictly adhere to those limits. I check my equipment 2 or 3 times before taking a plunge and again before hitting 30 feet. I'm always checking my gauges and monitoring my air at least every minute or two. Too much perhaps but it makes me comfortable.
Perhaps before OW any certifying agencies course should be "the common sense approach to diving safely".
I really do hope I haven't offended anyone and this post is in no way intended to criticize those that have had the unfortunate happen, but there just seems to be a lot of unnecessary loss of life and close calls happening.