Child diving while sharing regulator

[Guba]

I might have been swayed to the "it's their kids, so it's their right to play scuba instructor" mindset until the part about the asthma. Unless that parent was a diving MD, they had no idea what the ramifications of diving with a respiratory disease might be. Taking a kid down on an octo to the bottom of the pool? Maybe. Diving to 2 atm with improper equipment and no training...I don't care how much "life" is being lived there, it's a really, really bad idea. It might not be criminal (unless the child is injured or killed...then let's see whether charges are filed), but I certainly can't respect the parent or any of the other adults in the group, simply because they are showing such bad judgement.
No, I'm not a fan of hiding from the world and sequestering oneself from all dangers. But when my kids and I climbed rock, they had harnesses and were belayed; when we canoed, we had PFD's; in karate, there was ample training and if full contact was to be practiced, they had headgear. In short, we managed to live life but with prudence as well as boldness. There is a pragmatic balance in all activities. That adult didn't exemplify that balance. (But still...this is just my opinion. While I have a right to it, I do not foster it upon others, except for perhaps the children for which I am responsible...hehehe).

 

[tomboyy]

I would gladly make the arrest for child endangerment and turn the child over to Health and Welfare. Then let the ambulance chasers fight it out.

Gary D.

I've read the whole thread and think the parent was a bone head. That being said, I seriously hope your not in law enforcement ! It's officers like that, that give the rest of them a bad name. HHmmm lets see .. an officer can either have a 2 year degree ( at most ( most likely)) or nothing at all to become a poloice officer.. this depends on the state and/or county. So you..with a 2 year degree know everything about the law?

This is the same type of personality that is pissed off at your additude and throws you in jail and says ... we'll let the judge sort it out... Bull crap!

Sorry if I pissed off any police officers... No disresect was meant with regards to training or additude. It's just that I've seen this exact same thing happin and its wrong

 

[highdesert]

What is odd to me is how so many people see scuba as more dangerous than say, crossing a street. I would wager way more people die crossing a street than in scuba..

In absolute numbers ... sure. As a percentage of the whole ... IMHO, I doubt it.

 

[gypsyjim]

Now I got you all going, here are the rest of the facts. This was OUR daughter, who was on vacation with her biological father and his parents. The biological father has had a positive meth test and two DUI's this year alone. Because of a long history of child endagerment and abuse, the biological father is only allowed to be around his daughter in a supervised setting. She was sharing his equipement (held his weight belt to get down and used his back up regulator). It was not hear say, as the child told us about all about the dive. She also stated that they had picked some coral for us while diving. She stated that they did not bring her asthma meds on the vacation, thus none on the boat. She is an experienced swimmer, but has never dived before.

1) "The rest of the facts" could certainly alter ones interpretation of the story, for sure, as well as possibly change the perceived "correct" action by witnesses.

2) The fact that you are not exactly uninterested dispashionate witnesses could also alter ones interpretation of your interpretation though.

Makes me realize how terribly difficult it must be for judges to sort out the full story.

 

[bubba105]

I dont agree with giving average Joe or Jill 15-20 yr old kids cars they should not be in. I forgot to mention that we also AutoX our cars about 10 times a year. The kids? They come with us. When they are old enough, the ride along. Until I get them a shifter kart (budgeted for next year). We also have a race only car my 14yr old daughter is helping me wrench on.

You seem like a very reasonable person & a very good parent The reason you get them a shifter cart instead of putting them behind the wheel in AutoX is because they are not ready for AutoX yet. Same as, I bet, your 9 year old was not given a full size dirt bike. She's not ready. Yet, after getting certified by a scuba instructor yourself, you feel it's a good idea for you to take your little one diving. Why does she deserve less than you? 10 years old is the age when kids can start scuba. Your daughter may be ready now, but, she needs an instructor who works with kids to walk her through certification. By taking her down you're displaying the "It'll never happen to me" attitude. And, it never will, unless it does. I pray it doesn't. Everyone who's house was on fire never thought their house would go on fire. Things happen. My point here is that you seem like a very loving parent, who does things for the kids all the time. That's great. You walk your kids up the ladder in all other activities, why not scuba??? I could tell you stories that would give you nightmares. If anything ever happened, you'd never forgive yourself.

What is odd to me is how so many people see scuba as more dangerous than say, crossing a street. I would wager way more people die crossing a street than in scuba..
But if a kid darts out across a street are you poeple knocking down that kids parents doors and wanting a public hanging? No.. You curse the kid for being stupid.. maybe even the parents.. and continue moving along..
Thats sad.. (*by the way, I would curse the parents for raising an idiot but would then rationalize that they themselves, are probably idiots too.)

Bad analogy, if I had a nickel for every time someone crossed a street, just today, Bill Gates would be my neighbor. Scuba is dangerous unless you play by the rules. You may get away with one once in a while, but, keep poking that dog with the stick and... Again though, we teach our kids to look both ways before we allow them to cross by themselves. Being a responsible parent takes constant vigilence.

 

[Capt Scotty]

You can't fix stupid.........

 

[john1bl]

You can put a guard over a chain,a guard over a belt. You can even have a guarder belt but you can't a guard over stupitiy.

 

[adurso]

Now I got you all going, here are the rest of the facts. This was OUR daughter, who was on vacation with her biological father and his parents. The biological father has had a positive meth test and two DUI's this year alone. Because of a long history of child endagerment and abuse, the biological father is only allowed to be around his daughter in a supervised setting. She was sharing his equipement (held his weight belt to get down and used his back up regulator). It was not hear say, as the child told us about all about the dive. She also stated that they had picked some coral for us while diving. She stated that they did not bring her asthma meds on the vacation, thus none on the boat. She is an experienced swimmer, but has never dived before.

So his parents were the supervising parties? How experienced is he as a diver? It would seem that he did not share the whole idea of leaving the coral alone. Does she use an inhaler, or is she on pred or singulair?

If you seek to use this incident in a further custody matter I would suggest you speak with competent counsel in your jurisdiction and follow his/her advice

 

[psychocabbage]

not all coral is alive.. some of it is broken up and on the sea floor.. right?
That was not relayed in the message. Was it living or not?

 

[kodiak1961]

Our daughter said they picked some coral......so I assume it was alive. She uses an inhaler and needs nebulizer treatments w/ prednozone when having attacks. I do not know the experience of the family as divers, I can only assume it is limited since I have never heard them mention diving in the 7 years I have known them. We are not running to get them arrested, and we are not running to the attorney. Just wanted to have the facts before we had a talk with them, about responsibility and stupid actions. My wife has been a diver for 20 years, PADI certified and certified for caves. She is climbing the walls right now. We have never taken our children diving, although we have taken them snorkling.