I'd like to add in here as well. First, Randy Cain is not related to me.. But I do agree with him, on all of his points. The instructor makes the difference. That need to be able to think under stress is critical. Unless you have been stressed and challenged with a rescue, there is just no way to predict what you will do. But a good course can go a long way here and the rescue course is in my option the most important course you will ever take. Not because you "might be called upon to rescue a diver in distress someday", but you might save someone and never know you did it.
Let me explain. One of the first lessons in a good rescue course is learning to recognize the dangers. I'm not talking about swift current or black water. Rather, someone that forgot to plug in the power inflator hose, is nervous about getting in the water, or is pushing their wife to dive when she just doesn't want to. All of these can lead to an accident.
If all you do is notice the husband trying to get his wife to dive and offer to be his buddy instead, you might have just saved that wife's life. But the fact is, you will never know you did it. Yet you did!
A lot of very excellent instructor can teach you to be the hero and rescue a struggling diver. Experience will teach you to stop the accident before it happens.
I pull dead bodies out of the water here in Nashville. On average we pull 10 - 15 bodies a year. From fishermen with out a life jacket to children. Non-swimmers to certified lifeguards. Anyone can be a victim. Even the rescuer can become a victim. I've been one of the instructors that worked to train the first LaVergne Police, Fire and Rescue dive teams. So I have some experience here, enough to know that I'd rather prevent the accident.
I hope the skills Randy is referring to using are these prevention skills. I too use them all the time. In fact I used them this weekend. One of my students was starting to panic on his first ocean dive. I stopped him and just talked to him. I helped him calm down and relax. Maybe I saved his life. Thank God I'll never have to know. But, he went on with the dive and had a wonderful time. The second dive he said was "Just excellent!"
Well, to finish off here. I will also commend you in furthering your training.
David Cain
Tropical Breeze Diving LLC
http://www.nashvillescuba.com
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