all4scuba05
Contributor
in your opinion (or facts if you have them)how do diving deaths affect the diving sport/industry?
diving deaths affecting us?
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red_infinity
Contributor
Not a diving death experience but this comes close...
On my very first ocean dive at Catalina Island (and this was still during my OW training), I witnessed a pretty bad accident. I was already on deck, and they happened to pull an unconscious diver up. She had suffered an air embolism from shooting up from ~60fsw. I watched as they treated her...and as this going on I hear that she is not breathing nor does she have a pulse. I watched in awe as the crew continued to perform CPR on a seemingly lifeless body. Minutes later, a Coast Guard boat came to take her to the chamber on the island. She does manage to survive this ordeal, but she stayed unconscious for months after. I moved to college shortly after that, so I'm not sure what her status is now.
Witnessing this affected me a whole lot, especially since it took place on my first ocean dive. I was pretty nervous on my second trip for my checkout dives, but once I was in the water I was fine.
Did this stop me from diving? No. HOWEVER, it did teach me that I should always, ALWAYS monitor everything I'm doing. It also taught me to keep calm in emergencies, as this incident showed me what could happen if I don't use my head.
-Francis
On my very first ocean dive at Catalina Island (and this was still during my OW training), I witnessed a pretty bad accident. I was already on deck, and they happened to pull an unconscious diver up. She had suffered an air embolism from shooting up from ~60fsw. I watched as they treated her...and as this going on I hear that she is not breathing nor does she have a pulse. I watched in awe as the crew continued to perform CPR on a seemingly lifeless body. Minutes later, a Coast Guard boat came to take her to the chamber on the island. She does manage to survive this ordeal, but she stayed unconscious for months after. I moved to college shortly after that, so I'm not sure what her status is now.
Witnessing this affected me a whole lot, especially since it took place on my first ocean dive. I was pretty nervous on my second trip for my checkout dives, but once I was in the water I was fine.
Did this stop me from diving? No. HOWEVER, it did teach me that I should always, ALWAYS monitor everything I'm doing. It also taught me to keep calm in emergencies, as this incident showed me what could happen if I don't use my head.
-Francis
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no, I accept it and I think the industry does for the most part. It effects operators reputations, usually more than it should, because it is not usually their fault but works against them, especially with an unfortunate string of deaths, even if it is just their bad luck.
It makes an impression on you emotionally when you see things.. I think some people seperate it out to different degrees.
It makes an impression on you emotionally when you see things.. I think some people seperate it out to different degrees.
Interesting. The question was how it affects the industry, but the answers seem to be responding to how it affects individuals.
Sasquatch
Contributor
It's a pretty broad question you pose. My response, IMO, is that, yes it does affect the industry/sport. Initially because through the process of developing systems and equipment over the years the goal has been to increase diver safety and comfort partially as a result of accidents.
On another level it reminds us of what can happen if we don't follow our training. Humans really have short memories.
On another level it reminds us of what can happen if we don't follow our training. Humans really have short memories.
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well, I tried to answer both because WE make up the industry to some degree. (If the Bull shark ate you, I would be sad) If enough people were upset about the Bull shark eating Walter, then that could create some heat for shark feed operators in Florida.
red_infinity
Contributor
I just thought that I would bring that up, as individual experience, in my opinion, plays a pretty great role in the sport.
catherine96821:
Never gonna happen
I think trends affect the industry, no single accident carries significant weight.
Actually, I think the non-diving public thinks there are a lot more deaths than there really are. I haven't done any kind of study, but it seems like even people taking OW classes have an exaggerated sense of the number of deaths.
I bet many of you, like me, are frequently asked about "all the divers who get killed by sharks." Questioners are stunned to hear that such deaths--non-fatal attacks even--are so extremely rare.
So how does the number of actual deaths affect the industry?
Like Walter, I don't think they do. The perception of the number of deaths has a greater effect because it affects the number of people who will take OW classes and thus help the industry grow.
I bet many of you, like me, are frequently asked about "all the divers who get killed by sharks." Questioners are stunned to hear that such deaths--non-fatal attacks even--are so extremely rare.
So how does the number of actual deaths affect the industry?
Like Walter, I don't think they do. The perception of the number of deaths has a greater effect because it affects the number of people who will take OW classes and thus help the industry grow.
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