ChrisM
Contributor
SSI does not give a whit. I sent them an email and link when the vid first popped up a couple years ago, no response. I suspect their position is it's not a "training issue", however that is defined, and thus outside their jurisdiction to do anything about. I also suspect they don't want to get involved in local store politics
As for the store, never been there, never will go, but I've met Rusty once, and he sent me a couple emails after I was vocal about the video. He's like the bully that is proud, rather than ashamed, at the way he treats others (including angel sharks). In fact, one of his public posts was to the tune of "hey thanks guys, I'm getting lots of free publicity from this and lots of people are calling to do these kinds of dives." I'm afraid that wasn't all bluster.
In fact, here's his post (he posts under VoodooGas) http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=568692 This thread was from when the vid first reared its ugly head
[EDIT] - here's SSI's official response from back then, as well as another missive from Rusty http://dive.scubadiving.com/d2d_archive/read-search.php?f=1&i=896349&t=896349
I wouldn't expect him to be contrite about this, or to respond to any emails.
As for the store, never been there, never will go, but I've met Rusty once, and he sent me a couple emails after I was vocal about the video. He's like the bully that is proud, rather than ashamed, at the way he treats others (including angel sharks). In fact, one of his public posts was to the tune of "hey thanks guys, I'm getting lots of free publicity from this and lots of people are calling to do these kinds of dives." I'm afraid that wasn't all bluster.
In fact, here's his post (he posts under VoodooGas) http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?p=568692 This thread was from when the vid first reared its ugly head
[EDIT] - here's SSI's official response from back then, as well as another missive from Rusty http://dive.scubadiving.com/d2d_archive/read-search.php?f=1&i=896349&t=896349
I wouldn't expect him to be contrite about this, or to respond to any emails.