An open letter to lobster divers

[trtldvr]

July 24, 2007
9:30 PM
Key West, Florida

I went to bed last night a very proud man. With the help of many talented and dedicated individuals, and the support of many organizations, I had managed to put together First Annual Florida Keys Lobster Rodeo and Safe Dive Expo. It was a small but successful event. This was the culmination of many months of work and planning. This event, along with the Dive A.L.I.V.E card, was a multi-agency public education campaign designed to remind scuba divers of the safety skills we are all taught when we are first certified. A couple of hundred people attended the rodeo and literally thousands of the cards have been distributed throughout the Florida Keys. In addition to the obvious benefit of education to the public, the unforeseen benefit of an enhanced working relationship between the public safety entities has been forged, making the Keys an even safer place to dive.

Tomorrow is the opening day of the annual “Lobster Mini-Season”. Unfortunately the odds are that by noon my phone and many others will ring calling us into action. This sobering thought saddens me, but regardless of what happens tomorrow or Thursday, I know we have made a difference. We have already saved at least one divers life, even before they hit the water. As I tell my rescue students, the best rescues are the ones that you never have to make.

To those that will be out “Lobstering” on Wednesday and Thursday, please dive safe and please Dive A.L.I.V.E..


Trtldvr
(aka Bob Guhl)
FKCC Dive instructor
MCSO Dive Team

www.divealive.org

 

[trtldvr]

Truly Amazing

Florida's Lobster "Mini-Season" ended last night at midnight. This year the "Keys" only recorded 1 diving fatality in the 48 hour season. Not that 1 death is exceptable, but this is drastically lower than any year in recent history.

Lets hope that this is the beginning of a new trend.

trtldvr

www.divealive.org

 

[paradicio]

Amazing dedication to safety trtldvr! Glad to see your hard work made an impact someone(s) will literally live to talk about!

 

[DepthProducts]

Excellent - how can others help?

 

[kuma1720]

I don't believe this was the busiest mini season either. I definitely saw plenty of Law Enforcement and Marine Patrol units this year though. They did an excellent job getting the education out as well.

 

[Ice9]

Excellent - how can others help?

I'll second this! How can others contribute to this?

 

[GSDMan]

Major kudos from me and a "Thank You" on behalf of all the families and friends who'll never know their loved one might not have been here had it not been for your efforts.

 

[trtldvr]

I'll second this! How can others contribute to this?

There is talk from the Coast Guard to expand this program beyond the Florida Keys. If divers from different areas would go to our website and sign the guest book expressing interest, it may help. Especially divers involved in public safety.

In the mean time if you are in the Keys stop in any dive shop and ask for a Dive A.L.I.V.E. card. The card can also be down loaded from the web site.

We will soon begin planning for next years Rodeo. We learned a lot doing the first one, so the second will be a bit bigger. Keep an eye on scubaboard for details.

thanks for the words of encouragement.
trtldvr

www.divealive.org