Diving, Fitness, Obesity and Personal Rights

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

This thread has been split from another thread located elsewhere... http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ac...519645-diver-dies-st-maarten.html#post7578513

The content is interesting, but of a general nature not directly connected to the referenced death and hence, inconsistent with the TOS for that forum. Political comments have been removed as that is a subject for The Pub. Please avoid making such if you comment in this thread. Marg, SB Senior Moderator

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Sea conditions were heavy and the captain was unable to pull the diver on board as she was a fairly large person.

Cause of death appears to be a heart attack as there was no water found in her lungs, however the autopsy report has yet to be submitted.

Unfortunately these types of incident are getting more common. People are generally lacking the physical conditioning needed to be safe in even moderate exercise and also are of a size it makes it difficult or impossible to recover onto some design boats.

 

[John A Lewis]

Unfortunately these types of incident are getting more common. People are generally lacking the physical conditioning needed to be safe in even moderate exercise and also are of a size it makes it difficult or impossible to recover onto some design boats.

It is becoming alarming. Many threads here on the board would indicate that more and more divers are simply unfit for not only diving, but any physically exhausting activity.


Perhaps it's time to seriously rethink the idea that the sport is something that anyone can be involved with safety.

 

[Bob DBF]

It is becoming alarming. Many threads here on the board would indicate that more and more divers are simply unfit for not only diving, but any physically exhausting activity.

And, more importantly, they don't know when to call the dive. Knowing your limits is the number one skill you can learn to keep you safe.

Perhaps it's time to seriously rethink the idea that the sport is something that anyone can be involved with safety.

It's never been a sport that anyone can be involved with safely, it has just been sold that way.


Bob

 

[BRT]

Hey, we are old now. Golf, scuba, bar-hopping or sitting in a chair, a bunch of us are going to die of heart attacks.

 

[Bob DBF]

Granted we are all going to die, but if that woman had collapsed on the fourth green, a call to 911 and CPR till the ambulance arrived could have saved her life. As it was she was left in the water without treatment due to her size, a problem you would not have on the fourth green. No, there is no water hazard on the fourth hole.

I do believe it is her choice, but it may not have been the best choice.



Bob

 

[BRT]

Yes. There are risks associated with scuba. It is our choice. It may not be the best choice if we die doing it. If she had her heart attack at 70 per driving down the freeway she may have killed others too. That also would have been a bad choice. Living is dangerous.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

He should have thought about the circumstances he would be in if he had to save her before he took her out.

So if someone is obese or more heavy than they can handle and wants to dive - the weakling DM or cautious captain is going to say no - we don't want your money you are a liability?
Hmmmnnn - how well is that going to go over and what is going to happen to their business?

Not sure that is an option - you and only you are responsible for you...

 

[wgw04024]

I firmly believe everyone takes their own risks, especially with diving. It's unfortunate these things happen. That being said, I don't think people want operators to be determining who is fit enough and who isn't. Everyone should make their own choices and live with the consequences.

 

[Hatul]

PADI medical clearance for diving includes a nice requirement that we should all meet. It's the 13 MET Bruce Protocol treadmill exercise test. It may weed out those of us who are not fit to dive and those with occult heart disease.

 

[camkole]

So is someone is obese or more heavy than they can handle and wants to dive - the weakling DM or cautious captain is going to say no - we don't want your money you are a liability?
Hmmmnnn - how well is that going to go over and what is going to happen to their business?

Not sure that is an option - you and only you are responsible for you...

Maybe the dive master should have accommodated and had extra help onboard. That question can go for many possibilities and circumstances. Their business now has probably lost valuable customers because people know they can't handle larger people. Either they accommodate or they lose the business either way. I agree, the first thing you learn in OW class is that you are responsible for yourself no one else.