Dangerous Divers

[Doc Intrepid]

Like Nemrod, I would be very hesitant to intervene, verbally or any other way, except for two specific circumstances: (1) if I noticed that another diver was in immediate danger of being hurt or killed by some moron; or (2) if I noticed a diver dispensing immediately dangerous advice to brand new divers who might not be in a position to recognize that the advice was dangerous.

Otherwise, its MYOB.

Diving is one of the last unpoliced frontiers, and it isn't my job to define "dangerous" for other divers. Perhaps what I consider dangerous they consider fun. Besides, as scubak noted, most experienced divers will recognize strokaphilic spewage for what it is, and will back away slowly...

YMMV.

 

[almitywife]

Originally Posted by almitywife
what constitute "dangerous"

.....i also know one instructor that is an insulin dependant diabetic and in our country they shouldnt even be diving let alone teaching ......

The UKSDMC certainly disagrees and I know of several diabetic divers who are well-controlled, safe divers.

UKSDMC diver information- diabetes and diving study

Last I read, DAN disagrees with you.

i said "in our country" and down here DAN doesnt make the rules

he is actually a very good and well liked instructor - i like the guy, he not fool hardy and i wish him nothing but good health - thats why i mind my own business but i hope to god i never hear of him having a incident and putting others at risk but the fact remains that if his certificing agency knew his crediation would be pulled. legally he would be considered an at risk diver and in regards to OP original question - i mind my own business on this one

cheers

 

[dave4868]

It's such a rare situation that I really can't remember personally someone who dives in a "dangerous" way, but I suppose they're out there.

It's even harder for me to envision any of the divers I know being endangered by a "dangerous" buddy's actions. Like me, they would just use good judgment and not follow such a person beyond their comfort zone. They feel pretty self-sufficient and wouldn't feel obligated or dependent on the buddy.

But I suppose some divers might not be able to set limits on a buddy, especially during the dive, and might be inclined to follow such a buddy into risky situations. I guess they might not realize they can end the dive safely alone and without recriminations.

I guess I'd "warn" them about a risky buddy and suggest how they could handle the potential problems or suggest they might be placed in situations that would overwhelm them. I'd probably tell them it's more about setting limits on their own responses to the buddy.

For example, the warning might be that if the buddy ignores your signals during the dive that you don't want to continue deeper, then wave goodbye and just don't follow them. If they abandon you, just stay within your safety envelope, which, for many, will mean to ascend and end the dive.

I probably wouldn't broadly slander someone as "dangerous", but I certainly might use more objective descriptions such as "unpredictable" or "takes chances" or "pressures a buddy" or "doesn't stick to the dive plan", "doesn't listen", "doesn't stay close", etc.

A warning like that would be fair and prudent, I think.

And probably unnecessary if they follow their basic dive training.

Dave C

 

[dave4868]

i said "in our country" and down here DAN doesnt make the rules

he is actually a very good and well liked instructor - i like the guy, he not fool hardy and i wish him nothing but good health - thats why i mind my own business but i hope to god i never hear of him having a incident and putting others at risk but the fact remains that if his certificing agency knew his crediation would be pulled. legally he would be considered an at risk diver and in regards to OP original question - i mind my own business on this one

cheers

Some people just don't realize the government knows what's best for them.

Count me as one of those.

Without knowing how well he controls his blood sugar, it's really hard to comment on his risk, isn't it?

Dave C

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Yes I would and have done so. I don't want to see anyone get hurt due to the actions or inactions of another. If they want to kill themselves fine. But don't take anyone else with them.

 

[adurso]

As others have stated, MYOB, unless something there is some sort of imminent danger going on.....
Oddly enough several of us seem to share the same middle name....

 

[boat sju]

what constitute "dangerous"

they shouldn't even be diving

Almighty,

Don't backpedddle. If you want to be judgemental that's your business, but don't spread uninformed information. You called a good guy (your words) dangerous and implied he was a danger to his students.

 

[almitywife]

Almighty,

Don't backpedddle. If you want to be judgemental that's your business, but don't spread uninformed information. You called a good guy (your words) dangerous and implied he was a danger to his students.

wow - what were you reading... this is my orignal post, where do i say in my own words that i was spreading uninformed information??

my post (copy below) is actually 4 different divers and im stating the legislation in place for my country legal requirements.

what constitute "dangerous"

i know 2 divers that i suspect will die one day because of their actions & attitude to diving but hope desperately i am wrong

i also know one instructor that is an insulin dependant diabetic and in our country they shouldnt even be diving let alone teaching

i have known a diver who lied on their medicals to be giving diving certs (and car license) and a few years ago he nearly killed a family after a blackout while driving

unfortunately i worry about karma and if i was to dob people in, i worry about the reprecusions.

so what do you mean by "dangerous"?

if you want to make more of it than i state go ahead i guess but i think your claims that i am "spreading uninformed information" is a bit rich when i have been told by these 2 divers themselves of their condition and one chooses to keep it quite to continue teaching and the other is now using his med condiation as his legal defense so he can avoid jail. the first 2 i mention, i have seen them go from OW to 140ft dives in less than 8months, tossed out of 2 dive clubs so far and refused onto boats as their diving actions are erratic (and yes, i choose not to dive with them although they offer/ask quite often)

cheers

 

[Gary D.]

I would be interested in your opinion of whether divers with ill health constitute a dangerous diver.
A year ago I met a diver in his 60s on vacation, who was diving with a terminal cancer.
I have also dived with an old guy, that admitted that his eyesight was so poor he could no longer read his guages as we got suited up. I hadn't the heart to refuse to dive with him, but I did feel I was doing a solo dive.
Are these dangerous divers ?

Poor eye sight should never be an excuse not to dive or say someone is a dangerous diver. I think someone that lives everyday with poor or no eye sight could be a much better diver than someone that gets surprised when their sight gets silted out.

Hearing impaired divers make for much better communicators UW than those of us with good hearing.

What’s wrong with diving when one has a terminal disease? Why not enjoy what life is left?

I have seen people treat someone that has a disease that was non threatening to them like they were Lepers. They are people just like everyone else and should be able to enjoy life just like the rest of us. If they want to dive lets help them become divers.

My wife has MS. Some have jumped all over me for letting her dive because it was dangerous for her and everyone around her. BUT, she wants to dive and the increased pressure relives her symptoms for long periods of time. She is actually a better diver than a LOT of multiple card holders and she only uses half the air that I do making for a cheap date.

Gary D.

 

[Joe-Diver]

Well Almighty, I gotta say that I didn't know much about diving requirements in Oz, but after researching it and the requirements under AS4005.1 and the SPUMS website....wow. Tough to become a diver down under! You gotta be tip top and athletic. Almost sounds like it was back in the 60's here.

Must you also speak French and have no more than 3% body fat?