Thanks for weighing in Wookie,
Just because no one has ever asked you these questions doesn't mean the answers are not important. I learned to drive when wearing a seat belt - not the three point shoulder harness model of today, I might add - was a sign of cowardice or a passenger's lack of confidence in the driver. "Air bags in cars?" No one will pay for them! "A parachute for an entire airplane?" Science fiction and even if possible, will be unaffordable. "No smoking allowed on a public beach, outside!"... unimaginable just a few years ago.
When I learned to dive - in the stone age - octos (safe seconds) were only for divemasters and instructors, even the suggestion that everyone should have their own was considered "beating a dead horse", being wasteful of money and not gleefully accepting the "risk" of the sport. These days, no one would consider diving with a buddy who lacks some type of safe second. SMB? Dive sausage? Ten years ago, those questions would draw a blank stare.
Now I am not here to suggest we take the fun out of diving, if so then why dive? This is not our profession, at least for the most of us it is a sport or hobby. Also, I am not so naive to think one can purge any sport - or life itself for that matter - of inherent risk. Just crossing the street in the morning involves some degree of risk. I am simply suggesting there should be a modicum of disclosure when it comes to the dive safety gear aboard commercial dive vessels and this disclosure should be posted somewhere on the operator's web site. If posted in a clear and professional manner, it can only strengthen the public's perception that the dive community is serious about safety and can "police" itself without the intervention of authorities.
I do not believe asking a professional about their qualifications, experience, or equipment is either disrespectful, arrogant, rude or stupid. In fact quite the contrary, as our esteemed contributor Vladimir chimed, the operator's answer told me much about their operational philosophy, their ego and their probable lack of the very equipment of which I had inquired.
Perhaps no one asked you any of those questions because they were too intimidated to ask, perhaps they could observe the gear on your boat, maybe they were uneducated as to the correct questions to ask or it never crossed their minds. But those days may change and I'd hope you'd have no problem answering the questions... if asked.
Based on your statement it strikes me that you would consider yourself to be a consummate professional in your occupation. This I respect. I also assume reputation is important to you. I think you could only gain by proudly demonstrating your professionalism and this would help serve to shame those who do not hold themselves to your exemplary standard.
Garv
so I care to ask - all the time, always! Shocking to hear from your experience that no one cares about safety equipment on board the boat. Where I dive at home in New England it is paramount - diving conditions are cold, deep and dark - I need to trust that my boat captain has taken care of his safety equipment since my life may depend on it.
