As a community, scuba divers are one of the most safety-conscious of sportsman. In some ways this is good because we find creative ways to be safer even in the most extreme environments. Yet, at the same time this attention to safety can really take a toll on the camaraderie within the community because on this very board people are divided by being solo divers, DIR practitioners, vintage equipment divers, public safety divers, etc. People have strong opinions about how they dive and some have strong opinions as to how they believe others should dive too. When someone dies, the community analyzes the accident at best and crucifies those in error at worse. If it's a medical accident, it seems to be much more okay somehow that too many cheeseburgers and French fries took their toll on a dead diver than if that diver died due to pilot error. Yet, some would argue that eating poorly is just as much pilot error as failure to analyze gas or be properly trained for a dive We are all going to die someday. Is dying while diving okay? If so, what circumstances can you die heroically and with dignity underwater? If not, why? In what ways (other than diving-related) can a diver die with the dignity and support of the community? Why do we feel the need to place blame on something or someone? Why do we criticize those in our sport who are willing to take huge risks with their lives when the same sort of athletes in other sports are admired?
