A friend of mine posted this article on FB, generating a discussion about the ethics of rich, undertrained, underconditioned people buying a $70,000 selfie. About the complicity of the Nepalese government. About the involvement of the Sherpa communities, their politics, their financial pressures, and their potential exploitation. It's an interesting discussion. As an outsider to that world, I try not to have strong preconceived notions, but rather to listen and learn.
I think that most non-divers reading about high profile scuba cases feel confused: Wes Skiles, Rob Stewart, the deaths on the U-869 or the Andrea Doria, cave rescues, etc... It is probably hard to understand from outside the tribe why people take certain risks, when that is justifiable, when it isn't, and when it's greedy actors pushing people beyond appropriate boundaries.
Here's one sentence from the article that struck me: "This has been one of the deadliest climbing seasons on Everest, with at least 11 deaths. And at least some seem to have been avoidable."
I'm pretty sure that all of them were avoidable...
What do you think? Does this remind you of the Discover Scuba Diving tragedies? Of cramming advanced technical or rebreather training into shorter and shorter time frames? Of that trimix trust-me dive that was discussed here? Of the finances of dive pros in tropical locations being forced to race to the bottom in terms of safety and reimbursement?
How is it similar to diving and how is it different?
PS. Not sure if this is the right forum, if anyone has suggestions of where it would fit better feel free to say so. Was thinking accidents and incidents, but since it's not about a specific event, didn't think that made as much sense.
I think that most non-divers reading about high profile scuba cases feel confused: Wes Skiles, Rob Stewart, the deaths on the U-869 or the Andrea Doria, cave rescues, etc... It is probably hard to understand from outside the tribe why people take certain risks, when that is justifiable, when it isn't, and when it's greedy actors pushing people beyond appropriate boundaries.
Here's one sentence from the article that struck me: "This has been one of the deadliest climbing seasons on Everest, with at least 11 deaths. And at least some seem to have been avoidable."
I'm pretty sure that all of them were avoidable...
What do you think? Does this remind you of the Discover Scuba Diving tragedies? Of cramming advanced technical or rebreather training into shorter and shorter time frames? Of that trimix trust-me dive that was discussed here? Of the finances of dive pros in tropical locations being forced to race to the bottom in terms of safety and reimbursement?
How is it similar to diving and how is it different?
PS. Not sure if this is the right forum, if anyone has suggestions of where it would fit better feel free to say so. Was thinking accidents and incidents, but since it's not about a specific event, didn't think that made as much sense.