diving non-certified

[Gary D.]

Happens all the time.

I know it does. But I was also refering to take off and landing.

On second thought, anyone can fly, it's just how controlled the crash is going to be.

Gary D.

 

[Hank49]

My first dives were long before I ever took a class. I thought spending a few hundred bucks for a class to swim and breath was about the stupidest thing I ever heard of. LOL About 10 years later I decided to get certified so I could dive whenever and wherever I wanted.

There were no revelations in my OW class or most of the other classes I've taken.

For most people a class is the best option but there are LOTS of uncertified divers out there and even more who dived for years before getting certified.

I guess what surprises me is the shocked reaction so many have concerning diving without certification. I guess it's part of living in an age when people have everything handed to them and pieces of paper are given so much weight.

Until I took the class, ( I never dived again until then) I had no clue about dive tables, slow ascents, surface intervals......I'd heard about it but didn't know how to plan a dive, etc. You're right though. I could have learned that from more diving with an experiened diver. (sshhhhh, I didn't say that on SB though...)

 

[MikeFerrara]

I know it does. But I was also refering to take off and landing.

On second thought, anyone can fly, it's just how controlled the crash is going to be.

Gary D.

LOL, taking off is easy. When the plane is going fast enough it flies and it's pretty hard to keep it on the ground. Landing is a little harder and though I've taken a few lessons and have done it, I'd rather not. If, for some reason I had to land, I'm reasonably certain I could do it again without damaging the plane too bad but I wouldn't make any promisses.

 

[rstone]

If I'm just a basic certified open water diver, that is not a dive instructor, what are the rules on taking a non diving buddy to the lake for a shallow dive. Is this a complete no no? Can you get in legal trouble?

Thanks,
Steve

VERY BAD idea... the rules are your not suppose to do it, are you going to get arrested if you do.. no, but if he bolts to the surface and hurts himself you better have alot of money to pay for an expensive attorney.

 

[ScubaSarus]

Be honest with us. What have you descided ? Seems harmless but I'm sure your smart and will heed our advice. I know of freinds who have a 5 ft above ground pool who will let a buddy breath of their regulator and wonder if thats even bad.

 

[triton94949]

...are you going to get arrested if you do.. no, but if he bolts to the surface and hurts himself you better have alot of money to pay for an expensive attorney.

If the local district attorney believes that a death resulted from an act of gross negligence it could be ruled as a manslaughter homicide and therefore there could indeed be an arrest and a state trial.

Anytime someone dies there is always a preliminary criminal investigation, followed sometimes by a criminal indictment.

 

[H2Andy]

the consequences could be dramatic, as outlined above

1. you, your friend, or both, could end up hurt if things get out of control

2. you could end up in the hospital or dead

3. your friend could end up in the hospital or dead

4. if you survive, you could face criminal charges (do you want to take the chance?)

5. if you survive, you could face a civil lawsuit for damages

 

[Tom Smedley]

Legal as in conforming to industry standards - not in the context of knocking off the local convenience store. Maybe a symantechnical faux pas but maybe not...

In conformity with positive rules...
The doctrine of salvation by good works rather than free grace...

You imply that taking a non-certified buddy scuba diving is illegal.

Heh.

 

[DEEPSEAWOLF]

Years ago there were no classes, there were also many deaths from diving. There were no depth limits and there were many deaths from diving. Today we still have a few deaths, but it is usuallyfrom untrained individuals doing what they are not trained or equipped to do. In today's society, even an accident can result in prison terms. Liability is at the forefront of our society and to even breathe air allows you to sue someone for the quality of it.
For personal sake, would you want your friend's death on your hands? I wouldn't even want to place my friends in that kind of danger. Its cool your friend trusts you that much with his life, but then maybe he doesn't understand the risks involved. As a certed diver, you do. We all take risks in life. That is our choice. We must weigh what we do with its consequences. I am trying to teach my teenager the tables and laws because he grasps things differently from some people. I know that is a risk in and of itself. However, I first taught him the risks of diving to show him why he WILL take classes if he wishes to dive. For now, he is quite content to freedive. He also knows THOSE risks. He is learning to drive as well,... yada yada yada.

Bottom line, it's NOT a competely stupid question because at least you have the sense to ask. There are many people I am sure that would not even think twice about risking this situation. I know of one personally that I will never let near my family becase he would be willing to do exactly this.
"I took a class so I'm an EXPERT!" Can you say,... EGO-PROBLEM!!!!!
I know you didn't want lectures from a thousand people (even if they're right), but at least you saw something in your training and had some sense to doublecheck what felt like a bad idea. It never hurts to ask. It hurts to not ask and pay a heavy price.
As for the piloting issue,... it's not the fall, it's the sudden stop at the end that gets ya!

 

[SteveC]

No, really guys, don't candy coat it.... what do you really think.....

Well at least now I know what the valve operator at 3 mile island felt like....

Did I say my name was Steve.... I ment Bob.