DivemasterDennis-

Summertime is the time for open water training in Colorado, and we have 5 events over the summer. We call them "open water weekends," and we have anywhere from 15 to 30 students at each, in classes from open water through rescue and many specialties. Dive master candidates work on their requirements as well. We set up a large canopy, fire up the grill, and make it a real event. I have attended about 50 of these weekends, a couple as a student and the rest as part of the training staff. Last week I encountered a first. A couple of students showed up , and this is before 8:00 a.m. mind you, drinking beer from just opened cans, and with a supply for later use as well. Now, we all know the rule "the first drink of the day marks the end of diving for that day." When confronted about the issue, the students were very contrite. They begged to dive, they were really sorry, and on and on. They showed how they had had only a "sip," and after the staff caucused, removed all the other beer from the area, and observed the would-be students for over an hour, it was determined that they in fact had essentially no residual alcohol and were allowed to dive, after a delay to assure their sobriety status. They completed their certification and learned a real valuable lesson. It was a "teaching moment," and the impact of alcohol on a diver was reviewed in depth. I am all for a cold beer after the diving is done- it is the best form of re-hydration. But NEVER before a dive. Let's remember, diving is serious fun, requiring our focus and attention. The formula is simple: First beer FOLLOWS last dive. If you mistakenly thought the rule was "first beer followed by first dive," then you need to correct your thinking. These divers did.
DivemasterDennis