es601:
OK you guy's are scaring me. Mainly for my 2 children that I've just introduced into scuba. From what I gather here is that it is nearly impossible to free yourself from a mono gillnet and only a slightly better chance with a buddy who should have been within 3 feet of you and probably got tangled as well. Did I lead them into the lions den? As for myself if something happens while I'm diving and I don't come back.. well I was doing what I loved and I've had a good run. For them they have their whole life ahead of them and put their total faith and trust in me to keep them safe. What can be done to minimize the risk of this particular danger? Would it be safer to only dive with large groups that are led by a DM where many divers at slightly different depth and position are around? Are there areas in the world that have less risk of net's?
Gill nets are a real concern, no doubt. I've been physically present when an experienced diver had a dramatic encounter with one. It was a nonsurvivable outcome, had it not been for at least four other divers who responded.
But there are many things you can do to avoid them. First, gill net fishermen in the state of Washington string the nets out only during certain times of the year. The nets are well marked on the surface. They hang down from the surface perhaps 20' or so (there are different sizes). If you do a site survey before you go diving, you'll certainly be able to see nets in the area - assuming they are there. (Dive someplace else...)
Obviously you won't find them in quarries, and you likely won't be diving where they're used in the open ocean offshore. I suspect you're most likely to encounter them when diving in saltwater near the shoreline. They're often used in Puget Sound, harbors, waterways, and other semi-confined bodies of water. They used to be used in the Great Lakes, however, it's been awhile now and I've no idea if this is still allowed or not. Primarily it is a tribal authorization, TTBOMK, gill nets are illegal for many other commercial fishermen to use.
Like many other hazards, they're best dealt with by teams. Know when and where the nets are deployed and avoid those areas (State Departments of Fisheries and Wildlife). Do surface surveys of dive sites before committing to the dive. Always dive with buddies. Learn to dive as teams. Carry shears, not knives.
Many activities offer significant risks: hang gliding, parachuting, rock climbing, white water kayaking, etc. As you said, we introduce our children to these things and we teach them not to be afraid of them, but to be cautious and professional in minimizing the inherent risks. It is the same with scuba and gill nets. You cannot eliminate the risk (except by not diving), but you can be cautious and professional in ensuring you have the best options available to reduce and mitigate the risks. Education is, as it nearly always is, the best preparation.
Regards,
Doc
PS - As Diver0001 said, reports of verifiable deaths due to gill nets are pretty scarce. OTOH, reports of divers being crushed while lifting heavy objects during salvage operations are rare also, but I've a few citations sitting in one of my notebooks. It is wise to at least be aware of the issue, but your concern should be tempered by recognizing that actual risks are very low.
