Agreed. But here is the problem, does not matter what we HERE on this board wind up finding out regarding the role of DM and Dive guide, if the Dive ops continue to be vague and misleading about it.
They need to have a sign posted outlining what
new divers should expect from DG and DM, and what the specific difference is. A newer, learning diver with less than 50 dives might be confused by all this? Clarity would help the newer diver and help prevent any more fatalities.
Pilot Fish,
I understand the thrust of what you are trying to say, and I appreciate that you are taking up the cause for the OP in her "absence", however, based on your statement above, consider the following;
The best operators in the world, probably monitor threads like this even though they are probably squeaky clean in these matters. The worst operators in the world, the ones that we increase our personal risk(s) by diving with, probably do not monitor sites like this.
Let us say in this instance, the operator involved in this incident survives the scrutiny of the police and they do change their ways, it does not change the operator two streets/beaches down, or in Egypt or any other popular dive resort/location.
Lets face it the police are on the case of this operator as we speak. If there is any justice in/on Grand Cayman, then we have to assume that this degree of focus, will (for this operator at least) put them out of business or make them re-consider the safety of their operation.
In Reality, nothing that you, me or anyone else on this forum says about this incident will have an effect on the operator or any other operators out there,
however, it has a significant effect (if individuals get anything out of this) on the way that each diver (either participating or looking on silently) in this forum will think of their own personal diving operation. This includes taking personal ownership of decisions regarding the way they dive, choose buddy's, respond to "DM's", choose dive operators, advise other "less experienced" divers on the same boat etc....
So, this can/will never be an enquiry, it is and can only be a (sometimes passionate) discussion. However, even though the emotionally charged statements that started this thread were intended to sink the operator, they have actually enabled a valuable & significant amount of discussion (and a whole new thread) that I believe is hugely advantageous for those who are able to descend (safely) below the areas of questionable visibility.
I for one will;
1. Look differently at the dancing DM if I ever come across one,
2. Try in the most diplomatic possible way to dissuade a novice diver from exceeding their limits outside of a training environment.
3. Be very sure that the extent of my Buddy Relationship is very clear before I dive so that the guy standing close by does not assume that he/she is.
4. Ask loud and leading questions of a DM/DG as to the extent of their responsibilities.
5. ..... You get the picture.
In this regard, I applaud the OP for bringing this matter here to the forum.
Lastly; For anyone not directly affected by this incident including, the family and loved ones of the deceased, other guests on the same boat, the crew/DM and other employees of the operator, who cares about who was (or should be) to blame? Surely this should be about us as individuals taking some solace from the fact that it was not us involved but more importantly, what do we do to reduce the risk of us (or people in our care) being the subject matter in this type of discussion in the future.
Best Regards, go and get wet!
Richard
