Webmonkey, with all do respect, you are continually basing your argument on an assumption that Mrs. Wood hired this DM. Furthermore, while it would be nice if all DMs checked C cards and assessed the divers ability, we know it isn't happening like it should be and PADI sits on the sidelines and does nothing. The death of Brendan in the Caymans is the most recent example.
And most likely not the last unfortunately. I am doing an AOW class with the OP from that thread and her husband next weekend. They are traveling from North Carolina to Pennsylvania to take my AOW class that addresses many of these issues and those involving being responsible for yourself. Any time dive pros fail to recognize problems before they start the potential for an accident is there. One of those times is with divers who feel they know everything and will do just as they please. If I'm not mistaken Cappyjon had one of those not too long ago. They are headstrong, adverse to taking direction and pose a threat not only to themselves but other divers and any pros who may be charged with guiding them.
If the deceased truly needed a buddy other than her husband this to me is a red flag. Why do they not want to dive together? I want that clear before I assign a Dm to the person. Is it because of differences in skill, experience, or lack of it? In which case maybe I take em to a safe site with a hard bottom or insist on a checkout dive first. If they choose to go somewhere else oh well. If there was any indication of a medical issue perhaps that person goes as a bubble watcher or not at all. If they fail to disclose issues that pose a risk to staff then why should staff risk their lives to protect a liar or deceitful person? If this woman had the reputation that she seems to then that is usually not a hidden thing. Better to let them get pissed an go elsewhere than deal with them.
I;ve been around many like this when employed where interaction with the general public is required. Before my present job I spent many years in the grocery business as a butcher. My grandfather taught me the trade starting at age 8. For over 20 years I put up with nasty, picky, evil tempered people that were satisfied with nothing. They enjoyed running you down and demonstrating their self importance. Their lives and opinions were miles above everyone else's. And they did not fail to let you know it. If they had money they were even worse.
These were the ones that no one wanted to wait on. THere would be straws drawn, coins flipped, seniority pulled to get out of dealing with these people. It was one of the major reasons for me getting out of the business. But then there were those whose kindness, sincerity, and respect for the fact that you were preparing their food that made some of that easier to deal with. But for me there were not enough of those people.
But the former were easily identified and pose problems that have to be dealt with if the person so chooses to. I'd like to know what Mrs Woods behavior was like prior to the dive. How did she interact with the others on the boat? Was she exhibiting any signs of stress or agitation? If so why was she allowed in the water? If acting as a personal DM I would be trying to engage them in conversation. Find out recent experience, diving style, air consumption, and their interests. If I encountered any behavior that struck me as odd I;d let someone else know and perhaps refuse to dive with the person.
Her age may have also given the DM a false sense of security. How many here would really expect a 67 yr old female vaction diver to take off for 140 or deeper? Factor in Narcosis of the DM and the resistance of the victim to assistance and I'm willing to give the DM more slack now. I feel confident I could have handled the situation but can't say for sure since I was not there. And then if indeed the DM had succeeded in forcing Mrs Woods to the surface and that had caused a medical issue what then? Or if in the course of doing this the DM had been injured? All over what appears to be more and more of a case of a mean person bent on doing themselves in. Maybe I missed it but has the body even been recovered? What is the coroners inquest or it;s equivalent saying? How is the DM dealing with it? I was one of those who initially faulted her but as more and more came out it seems that the person responsible for causing the most damage, pain, and trouble was the victim.
