At the risk of starting an extra fury here...
The Libra in me wants to temper this thread. By no means am I minimizing the seriousness of Neil's actions, particularly his failure to learn from the incident, but this forum has the ability to do serious damage to an operator's reputation.
In my time here in Florida I have dove with at least 15 different operators - from large to 6-packs. I cannot recall more than two or three using the roll call method to assure all divers were on board. Head counts are the norm not the exception.
As a strong forum we have the ability to effect change by being the ones that learn from this lesson. How often do we even ask the dive operator what their procedures are before we get on board? If we all starting making it our policy to insist on a roll call we will make a change and will also help educate, and protect, divers who are not part of this forum.
The Libra in me wants to temper this thread. By no means am I minimizing the seriousness of Neil's actions, particularly his failure to learn from the incident, but this forum has the ability to do serious damage to an operator's reputation.
In my time here in Florida I have dove with at least 15 different operators - from large to 6-packs. I cannot recall more than two or three using the roll call method to assure all divers were on board. Head counts are the norm not the exception.
As a strong forum we have the ability to effect change by being the ones that learn from this lesson. How often do we even ask the dive operator what their procedures are before we get on board? If we all starting making it our policy to insist on a roll call we will make a change and will also help educate, and protect, divers who are not part of this forum.