Are Rescue Skills really needed by the average diver.... ?

[MXGratefulDiver]

I vote to not dive with you.

Not because you don't have rescue skills... because you don't believe you need them.

I wish I knew as much after nearly 1,000 dives as I did when I only had 25.

... I find that opting to dive with new divers is the absolute best way of showing them what they don't know. I often don't even have to say a word ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[RJP]

... I find that opting to dive with new divers is the absolute best way of showing them what they don't know. I often don't even have to say a word ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Oh, I do agree. I love diving with new divers. But typically the new diver "doesn't know what he doesn't know" even if he doesn't know that. They are open to learning things and tend to seek to expand their experience and understanding. Even the tech instructors I trained with, who have thousands and thousands of dives, are open to learning. Divers I try to avoid are the ones that "know what they don't need to know."

I suppose it might be interesting to dive with DayBob, and just go unresponsive on the bottom and see if he changes his mind... :d

 

[DayBob]

I interpreted the question as "Does the average diver need to take the Rescue course?". I also would define average as, well, average. Like me.

I didn't claim I knew everything about diving. One of the reasons I frequent ScubaBoard is to learn. I paid attention when I took my OW class and put into practice what I learned. While I greatly enjoy diving I understand that attention to detail is required to prevent unsafe situations. Avoiding a rescue situation is what i aim to do.

RJP, if we were to dive together I would inform you of my experience level. We would discuss the dive plan and perform the pre-dive checks. If you went unresponsive while on the bottom I would get you to the surface. If you went unresponsive for fun just to see what I would do, I wouldn't dive with you again.

I believe in continuing to learn. The Rescue class is something I am interested in and will probably take in the future but I don't think it is required by the average diver.

 

[mathauck0814]

I believe in continuing to learn. The Rescue class is something I am interested in and will probably take in the future but I don't think it is required by the average diver.

Distinction between the Rescue CLASS (your word) and Rescue SKILLS (in the thread title). Perhaps if you were a lifeguard as a kid and have kept your CPR training reasonably current into your adulthood you don't need the rescue CLASS because you have a handle on the SKILLS.

I can't think of a single reason why the "average diver" shouldn't be expected to have some basic understanding of first aid, CPR and in-water emergency management. I could care less what plastic they carry.

 

[RJP]

RJP, if we were to dive together I would inform you of my experience level. We would discuss the dive plan and perform the pre-dive checks. If you went unresponsive while on the bottom I would get you to the surface. If you went unresponsive for fun just to see what I would do, I wouldn't dive with you again.

I believe in continuing to learn. The Rescue class is something I am interested in and will probably take in the future but I don't think it is required by the average diver.

Thanks for clarifying - big difference between thinking average diver "doesn't need rescue skills" and "doesn't need to take the Rescue Diver course." Though, once you take the course, I bet you'll change your mind.

That said, and not to sound semantic, but I think it's worth clarifying what "average diver" means. Fact of the matter is, the "average diver" does a handful of dives once a year on vacation, ordinarily being escorted by a DM. So in that context, the "average diver" probably doesn't need to take rescue class. However if we're talking about the average diver from among those that dive a few time a year, locally and/or traveling, they (and anyone who dives with/near them) will benefit from taking rescue class. The more you dive, the more likely you are to encounter an issue/incident/accident. More importantly, the more likely you are to be in a position to avert an issue/incident/accident, or at least contain it to a nuisance occurrence that merely thumbs a dive.

Check back into this thread after you've got 100 dives and Rescue Diver under your belt. Will be interested to see if your opinion changes.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I vote no. The average diver doesn't need rescue skills.

More than anyone the average DIVER needs rescue skills. The average underwater tourist that relies on a DM or Instructor for everything needs them even more. They are more likely to get into trouble by trusting someone else to keep them safe. Based on your statement I don't want to be in the water with the "average diver" and sure don't want anyone I care about in the water with them.

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[DayBob]

More than anyone else an instructor needs rescue skills. Please don't be so patronizing.

 

[lowviz]

Seriously??? You trust JIM with your life? He is one of the best, by the way...

 

[Jim Lapenta]

More than anyone else an instructor needs rescue skills. Please don't be so patronizing.

Actually if done right the instructor does not need them as much as the average muppet that you find on most dive boats. Classes are easy to control and you make sure you don't take people into open water before they are ready or push them too far too fast. It's not patronizing when it's the truth. I spent the better part of a year looking at dive accidents where someone died. I have autopsy and police reports, computer logs, and eyewitness accounts.
My assertion is based on that research as well as the fact that many people have no idea how close to becoming a statisitic they are. And I can spot them with their equally oblivious and inattentive buddies at any OW training site. When you have done the same research we can have a real discussion on it.

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[DayBob]

Never mind. I'll take my ball and go home.