Student aquarium diver bitten by shark - China

[DandyDon]

I read the report to imply this was a first dive for the group. Maybe DSD? Regardless, I gathered she was a novice diver. In that case an instructor seems partially to blame.

Something like that, but based on the report - she ignored the rules & warnings, did what she wanted, and he didn't want to piss off the rich tourist and lose a tip.

 

[chillyinCanada]

DandyDon, did we read the same article?

 

[DandyDon]

DandyDon, did we read the same article?

Huh?

 

[SapphireMind]

It certainly does sounds like a DSD type situation. I don't think DSDs that are intended to do stuff like that (anything with a higher danger profile or needs extra concentration to do) should be allowed. DSDs should be for a basic introduction to scuba, and all your thoughts and energy need to be focused on that and making sure you are safe there. Purposefully going into sharks or dolphins or a wreck or anything like that, it just seems like an accident waiting to happen. If you want to do that, you could put people in a cage (even if the sharks are typically not aggressive, people who are working on buoyancy and all the other skills can't be expected to do that.

Task loading is such a huge issue. When I tried to do my dives for the navigation class, I almost immediately called it and said I'd have to do my dives for that later when I had more experience. I was too task loaded to be able to figure out navigation as well as everything else (still a novice) I didn't even really grok what people meant by it until I was overloaded.

Scuba needs to be taken more seriously as a danger.

 

[MrBigfins]

Back when I started me and my son did a DSD, I have dove with sharks. Never at any point would I think combining the 2 to be a good idea.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Doesn't say it's a DSD. Says its a Level 1 dive lesson. This could just as easily be a free diving class and not necessarily a scuba class. After all, she darted towards the shark, so some said.

I've seen a few DSD or try dive classes and I've never seen anything like that.

 

[Wingy]

I hate speculating but perhaps this level 1 is an "experience dive" like many aquarium dives where you book a time slot, watch an e learning video, have a mini dsd and have to demonstrate breathing in and out and clearing mask in a pool before going into the aquarium usually overweighted as hell. I hate to think the chasing of shark and excitement of touching it may be a cultural thing, but it's not without possibility. A harassed shark in a confined environment doesn't have hands to slap you with.

 

[Dogbowl]

Level 1 dive seems like a DSD to me too - it could be a translation thing.

It’s not a cultural thing. More likely than not, it’s a “nouveau riche stupidity thing.”

 

[chillyinCanada]

"Doesn't have hands to slap you with" especially if she bumps right into his teeth

 

[JohnnyC]

It's China, it could mean anything.