In Britton’s defense
Let’s be careful casting stones here. I would like to hear a roll call from those reading this forum who have never, ever pushed a training limit, broken a rule, did a dive without a required piece of equipment, cut school, sped down the highway or threw a snowball at a car, etc. If you have never sinned say “aye”. You won’t hear my voice.
You are right. As a cave diver of 18 years we hate to see an accident occur from someone not trained,because unlike the early 70s,cave training is abundant. From a selfish stand point,gaining access to these caves is very difficult,and maintaining access is very difficult too. With constant development in Florida many sites have been closed,and at the present time one site is about to be closed come Janaury 1st,and another "tourist cave" is under threat of possible closure. There are a lot of people behind the scenes expending a lot of their time and personal money to keep these sites open. One concern for owners of property is accidents that result in their liability and litigation,and when there is a fatality of an OW diver at a site,it causes nervousness among these people because the media calls it a cave diving accident,not what it is,which is an untrained diver entering a cave. Look at what happened at School sink. Two unqualified divers trespassed and entered an advanced level cave diving site,which resulted in their death. The owner who took all possible steps is being sued,so how does this translate in the mind of an owner who we are asking us to have access. So,if I cut school,would school be closed and everyone else would be unable to attend,speeding down the highway might result in my getting a ticket,but would that highway be closed to others.................