Are you a Dive Hypocrite?

[TMHeimer]

I agree with everyone here on everything. And ask non-Quebecer Canadians their opinions in general on Quebec.... The only dive regulation that stands out in my mind is prohibiting diving in areas of dangerously high boat traffic and requiring dive flags in some places. These are good laws, and hopefully will remain the only ones. Other "risky" diving will only affect the diver (not boaters, seadoers, etc.), so the Govt. has so far kept out of it. Of course, there is the suing of buddies & DMs, etc., but that's another topic we've discussed to death. Everyone's responsible for assessing their own risk.

 

[SteveAD]

I agree. Everyone has the right to be as conservative or as foolhardy as they individually choose. They also have the duty to live (or not) with the consequences of their actions.

 

[Slamfire]

Not counting Quebec, right?

Right... I'd forgotten about what's going on in that part of the country.

 

[DCBC]

...The only dive regulation that stands out in my mind is prohibiting diving in areas of dangerously high boat traffic and requiring dive flags in some places. These are good laws, and hopefully will remain the only ones.

Thanks for your answer. I would like to point-out that due to a number of diving fatalities in Quebec (that have been attributed to insufficient training), a provincial registration/certification is required to dive. The lowering of standards by some agencies seems to be having consequences (at least in Quebec).

 

[D_B]

You guys have it covered ...

my thoughts ...
1 .. If you understand the risks of the dives (or whatever) you want to do, and
2 .. do what you can to mitigate those risks, then others should not worry about it

 

[TechBlue]

I have prohibited certain dive activities for me. I don't have the right to prohibit them for anyone else.

I believe any diver should be free to do anything they want as long as they understand none of the rest of us have any obligation to save their ass.

All well and good but fatalities bring unwelcome attention to the sport and particularly in the US it doesn't end with the fact that the idiots should not have been diving beyond their limitations or experience. Lawyers get involved and everybody within range gets dragged in and regardless of wether you eventually "win" the lawsuit the costs can be crippling. This can result in companies either going out of business or simply not supporting the scuba industry.

The second obvious fallout can be that it becomes more difficult if not impossible for trained and conscientious divers to enjoy their sport, cave diving being a perfect example.

As has been pointed out diving is self regulated in the US you guys definitley don't want to get involved with goverment regulation, in the Eurozone it is ridiculous you not only have to deal with all of the "safety for your own good" laws and regulations which are jammed down our throats each individual country can also inflict their own personal BS into the mix, Spain being one of the worst.

 

[Walter]

All well and good but fatalities bring unwelcome attention to the sport and particularly in the US it doesn't end with the fact that the idiots should not have been diving beyond their limitations or experience. Lawyers get involved and everybody within range gets dragged in and regardless of wether you eventually "win" the lawsuit the costs can be crippling. This can result in companies either going out of business or simply not supporting the scuba industry.

I understand. Those type of suits should not be allowed.

 

[Meng_Tze]

You guys have it covered ...

my thoughts ...
1 .. If you understand the risks of the dives (or whatever) you want to do, and
2 .. do what you can to mitigate those risks, then others should not worry about it

and that is the crux.... your point 1. Not everyone understands, or refuses to acknowledge those risks. Secondly, even if the diver does; most of the times the family does not. This often leads to arguments that 'this should not have been allowed to happen, who is to blame for letting little Jimmy kill himself?. Litigious as we are here in the US, it is an open invitation for suits.

Personally I believe we should all make educated decisions about diving, whatever type. But with all the suits, people, outfits and operators will have to impose limitations to protect divers not operating under point 1.

So yes, I guess I am one big hypocrite when it comes to that. I myself can take care of my own dives and planning. but having seen many 'accidents waiting to happen' jump in the water, it is a good thing to have people watch out for them.

I am sure others say the same of me....

 

[mikemill]

While I think people should have the right to do stupid things I don't find it hypocritical at all to point it out and try to discourage it though social pressure.

 

[TMHeimer]

[QUOTE=

So yes, I guess I am one big hypocrite when it comes to that. I myself can take care of my own dives and planning. but having seen many 'accidents waiting to happen' jump in the water, it is a good thing to have people watch out for them.

I don't know. After the dive/decompression class in DM course our instructor asked if we were now more wary of what could happen diving because we knew why. I thought--No, I have always taken diving as a very serious activity with possible serious or fatal accidents. Think I heard of the bends when I was a kid. If the seriousness of it is not obvious to someone and he jumps in anyway we can watch out for him, but regulating him? I don't think so.