Angel Shark riding video

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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.
 
HilaryRN71:
Jeff... SSI seems to keep a pretty tight rein on their shops in this area...I wonder if the regional SSI guy even knows about the video's existance.

And I agree..it's in poor taste. Not just to post it once, but TWICE. Apparently a longer version. They figured they had let the ruckus die down enough that no one would remember.

I'm sure it was a rebreather training dive with a new rebreather client. I found all the posts about the divers in the video " obviously have alot of training as evidenced by the gear" interesting because I know them to be not true. I know of an SSA diver (who is a nice guy and I'm certainly not bagging him) that has logged less than 50 dives, and something like all but 4 were on a rebreather. He got certified and went straight to a rebreather. I just have SUCH a hard time with that. I know of NO diver, no matter how good he is as a new diver, who is ready for the task-loading of a rebreather. It's like...do you give a 14-year-old with a learner's permit a Corvette? I see it about the same. But for whatever reason, he was willing to spend the $10K and they sold it to him. Maybe they figured if he truly wanted it, he would have bought it anyplace, so let's give him the training here. But I still have issues with it.

Hi Hillary,

I couldn't agree with you more! One thing that blows me away about some divers is there mad dash to get as many cards as possible and not gain the "vital" experience needed.

Unfortunately, more times than not they miscalculate something and end up as a statistic....it is truly sad. I am a PADI diver and I for one have seen ppl go straight from OW to AOW to rescue diver it Dive Master in 40 dives or less....40 dives to get into the DM course and 60 to graduate that is....which IMHO is no where near enough experience.

If rebreather boyz in the video didn't have enough experience to "keep their hands to themselves" then it's probably a good bet the barely had enough experience to use their kits....

safe diving all!
 
mccabejc:
This shop is only a few miles from my home, and I've been in full boycott mode of this store for a while now. It has achieved the distinction of being one of only two stores I've ever placed in "Platinum Lifetime, Till Hell Freezes Over" boycott.


Hmmm I'm sensing something here mccagejc...but I just can't put my finger on it.... :D

Well, I know when I finally make it back down to the coast I know ONE shop I won't be supporting..EVER nor mentioning for "free publicity"...
 
Tulsa, thanks for the blast from the past! Sad to see them still engagin in that behavior. and taking pics of it. And posting it on their site (if true, haven't gone over there.....)
 
Rather telling evidence that at SSA money can buy gear but does not seem to buy skills. Trim sucks.
 
Look at their body angle, even when not on the bottom they're fins down/head up. That would be unacceptable (to me) in a brand new student.
 

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