Belize: Death of Corey Monk

[peterbj7]

Would you have let this poor diver do a night dive alone, as it was described here?

No, because all dives have to be accompanied by law. But otherwise I wouldn't have a problem with it in principle, so long as there were adequate safety measures and I knew and accepted the dive plan. I've done it myself enough times.

 

[DiverBizz]

I looked up the emergency beacon link...here are some comments: if Cory had on one the family might be able to at least have him rest in peace, my question is if there are several divers wearing them from a dive does the sound the beacon makes have an impact on the sealife around? I understand this for the memory of Cory Monk but if it helps one diver in anyway...

 

[peterbj7]

My EPIRB (when I had one) was silent.

 

[DiverBizz]

The link for the ELP pinger said it can be detected from a mile away. EPIRB is silent sounds good with no sound.

 

[cakayakdiver]

I looked up the emergency beacon link...here are some comments: if Cory had on one the family might be able to at least have him rest in peace, my question is if there are several divers wearing them from a dive does the sound the beacon makes have an impact on the sealife around? I understand this for the memory of Cory Monk but if it helps one diver in anyway...

I would think a passive device with some programmed triggering criteria would work best. The devices I've seen on the web all last for months if they aren't triggered, and then can transmit constantly for a month or more.

Basically, there would be no noise unless a diver caused at least one of the triggering conditions to be met. I think it would make the most sense if the criteria could be set after the factory, or perhaps have several different models for different situations. Recreational criteria might be something like this:

1) 3 hours after being submerged
2) Below 250 feet
3) No air and still submerged

Obviously, programmability and or different versions would be necessary for tech diving applications.

 

[DiverBizz]

1) 3 hours after being submerged
2) Below 250 feet
3) No air and still submerged

I would invest in something that could be triggered with that criteria. Very good idea CAkayakdiver.

 

[MikeFerrara]

You're talking absolute rubbish, and I suspect you know it. The industry is pretty well agreed on appropriate and usable rules for what redundant gear should be carried. Not 100%, but certainly 90%. Sure, there is no such thing as perfect redundancy and despite your preparations you may come unstuck, but that's no justification for ignoring the recommendations completely.

Maybe you'd like to list the rules your talking about and name your source.

Some solo diver use vintage equipment...double hose reg, no bc, no redundant breathing source and so on.

TDI allows just about any redundant breathing source in their solo course, including doubles...only many don't concider manifolded doubles as solo diving equipment...to that would be added a "buddy bottle" or the "doubles" would be independant.

It all kind of depends on the nature of the dive and the environment.

Notice how comon it is for a DM to jump in solo with nothing but a single tank to hook a wreck? Isn't that "the industry"?

Not so. I am obliged by law to try to find/help/save/recover you if you were diving with my operation. And I can be held criminally liable if the authorities believe I was in any way responsible for or compliant with what happened to you. That's true here in Belize, I know it's true in Britain, and I'm sure it's true in the US. It's true in the Egyptian Red Sea. And in the Maldives. And in Australia. In fact, I think it's true in every country I've ever dived in.

It's very simple - if I know of your attitude before I take you out you'll be looking for another operator. And since I'll feel duty bound to warn others you may have a long search. And your first dive with me when you behave seriously irresponsibly will be your last.

You make it sound like everyone dives with an "operator".

We live in a society in which we look out for each other.

No. We live in a society where nobody wants to be responsible for anything and people a becoming satisfied with living in nanny states that make all their decisions for them.

Society norm provides that the emergency services WILL look for you and try to save you, and that is enshrined in law and practice in most civilised countries. I'm not familiar with detail of law in the US, but in Britain if by your reckless behaviour you do endanger people you should reasonably have expected would try to save you you can be held responsible to them.

Well, I read someplace that someone in Britan was trying to introduce legislation to outlaw knives...and they've already done away with plenty of things that many of us wouldn't want taken away here. I don't think that I want to use Britan as a model.

Suppose by your own reckless driving you're in a car crash - do you think that EMS will try to get you out? If they're hurt is that their responsibility or yours? What if your house catches fire?

Lets not suppose anything about driving because we're not talking about driving. We're talking about diving and if I dive alone, it's pretty hard to get anyone else hurt without them making some poor decisions of their own.

The expression "no man is an island" is absolutely true these days.

If you jump into a great big ocean you might be lost. It's pretty much a given that someone will be. If one finds that unacceptable, then maybe they would be better off not diving. Either way, I don't want them sticking their nose into when, where and how I dive.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Very funny. Certainly this is the best forum for sarcasm. Cory's family will be very thankful.

Do you think so?

Perhaps legistration is the inappropriate vehicle. The point is that if the devices were attached to all tanks then families all over the world not be left without a body and with so many questions unanswered.

Not all tanks. My tanks are already equiped with valves that i'm satisfied with.

Ask your mom or dad or spouse or children what they think about the situation where you might be lost and something could have been done but wasn't. I'm sure the Monk family is asking these questions. I wish we had answers for them. Answers would certainly be more appropriate than sarcasm.

Since my wife and I cave dive together and both my children are divers rest assured that we have thoroughly discussed the subject. Haven't you discussed any of this with your family?

Sarcasm? People start getting themselves in trouble doing something like diving...something few do well...and the next thing you know their talking about legislation. Look after your own house and if you need help with yours don't assume that the rest of us want or need help with ours.

 

[pilot fish]

Any piece of equipment that helps find a lost dver on the surface is a great idea. Why would anyone be againist that?

Good idea,cakaya

I would think a passive device with some programmed triggering criteria would work best. The devices I've seen on the web all last for months if they aren't triggered, and then can transmit constantly for a month or more.

Basically, there would be no noise unless a diver caused at least one of the triggering conditions to be met. I think it would make the most sense if the criteria could be set after the factory, or perhaps have several different models for different situations. Recreational criteria might be something like this:

1) 3 hours after being submerged
2) Below 250 feet
3) No air and still submerged

Obviously, programmability and or different versions would be necessary for tech diving applications.

 

[pilot fish]

If you jump into a great big ocean you might be lost. It's pretty much a given that someone will be. If one finds that unacceptable, then maybe they would be better off not diving. Either way, I don't want them sticking their nose into when, where and how I dive.

It should NOT be.

Any equipment that will help recover a lost diver BEFORE they persih should be standard. Why would anyone have a problem with that?