Looking for info on Seattle/Alki Cove 2 diver

[lamont]

why does our society view it as such a virtue to "face your fears"?

 

[TSandM]

I would like to hope that the Rescue training I got would help me figure out how to ditch my buddy's weights and keep him on the surface. But I guess it's the kind of thing you'll never know until you're in that situation, and I'd just as soon never be there.

 

[Kayla]

Just saw the story on the news tonight... training, speculations, and all else aside... There is a family missing their son, fiancee, friend, etc tonight... Sending my thoughts and prayers out.

 

[rhadamantus]

same with Kayla... sending my thoughts and prayers, too.

p.s. read the details about his u/w engagement proposal to his fiancee.

 

[Matt S.]

First of all, on topic, I am very sad to hear of our loss. I didn't know the diver but I guarantee any time I hear about a local death it makes me think, and I feel it a lot more than anything I am likely to see on the evening news.

...who may or may not get any more training as they reach adulthood, instead saying "pfft.. I've been a diver for X number of years, why do I need more education".

Training itself is, I think, a small part of the whole safety issue. Even if I took a safety class for a whole weekend every year... how much would that really help? And as you said, if you panic, training may not help much at all... the trick is to avoid those situations to start with, as much as is possible. There can always be a stray lightning bolt.

I think that the habits you learn from other divers, the drills that you do with them, and the skills that you pick up can be much more important than what you learn in a class you paid for.

I see driving as being like diving. Getting a license doesn't make you a good driver. Only YOU can make yourself into a good driver. If you don't put any effort into that, you may skate by your whole life without getting in trouble... Or, you may not. Taking more classes can help you down that road but it takes a personal commitment to really improve your skills. Being around people with the same commitment will help put you in the right mindset.

We need to maintain a culture of safety among all divers. By and large I think we do a good job at that, though there is room for improvement. Of course you can't make the proverbial horse drink, but if the attitude of the scuba community as a whole was a little more conservative, perhaps some divers who have had accidents would have instead realized that they were setting themselves up for trouble.

I don't know how to further advance the "culture of safety" though.

Just my two cents.

 

[Bobby Berenson]

Well, you did the best you can do, but he did not make it. Being in the medical field, all the heroics sometimes is not enough. From what I have read it sounds as though he had an anxiety attack and panicked. I could be wrong, but we'll never get the whole story either. As an Divemaster/ Assistant Instructor it would be nice if all the information is let out because hopefully information gained can possibly save a life in the future.

 

[gcbryan]

why does our society view it as such a virtue to "face your fears"?

So that we don't live our lives in fear? Granted if anxiety regarding diving is your fear solo diving isn't the best solution.

 

[lamont]

So that we don't live our lives in fear? Granted if anxiety regarding diving is your fear solo diving isn't the best solution.

I've got a fear of heights. I don't live my entire life in fear, I just don't go rock climbing or skydiving... That may seem like I'm limiting myself in terms of experiences, but I focus on the things that I can relax and enjoy, like diving in the caves in mexico, so I don't feel particularly limited...

 

[Gombessa]

I've got a fear of heights. I don't live my entire life in fear, I just don't go rock climbing or skydiving... That may seem like I'm limiting myself in terms of experiences, but I focus on the things that I can relax and enjoy, like diving in the caves in mexico, so I don't feel particularly limited...

If I had a fear of a particular African beetle that only exists in a 2-square mile radius in one part of Nigeria, I wouldn't feel particularly limited either. But some people have a fear of flying, or of public speaking, or normal social interaction, and they probably feel VERY limited.

Similarly, some people may be absolutely enthralled with marine life and environments, but have a fear of water or diving or small spaces (such as the tunnel-vision of a mask). These fears are not within the scope of normal daily life, but I'm sure you can see how someone in that position would feel particularly limited, and could like very much to face that fear.

Facing our fears is not just to avoid fear, but, if you'll excuse the schmaltz, is a very real way also to broaden our experiences and capabilities and to reach what we want in life.

I think you may be better off asking "why" some people want to face certain fears.

 

[lamont]

If I had a fear of a particular African beetle that only exists in a 2-square mile radius in one part of Nigeria, I wouldn't feel particularly limited either. But some people have a fear of flying, or of public speaking, or normal social interaction, and they probably feel VERY limited.

actually, i've got the first two of those as well -- fear of heights translates pretty well into fear of flying. worst way to die i can think of is falling out of the sky in an airliner...

people keep on trying to 'save' me from being an introvert as well, i wish they'd stop... can't we just be happy the way we are? why is it a sin if you aren't constantly trying to overcome your limitations?

Similarly, some people may be absolutely enthralled with marine life and environments, but have a fear of water or diving or small spaces (such as the tunnel-vision of a mask). These fears are not within the scope of normal daily life, but I'm sure you can see how someone in that position would feel particularly limited, and could like very much to face that fear.

okay, but why the riskiest way possible to heighten the fear and try to overcome it in order to intensify the situation? if i'm going to work on the fear of heights i'm not going to start out with basejumping to try to get over it... in fact, i know it would take me a lot more jumps than average to get to the point where i would skydive without paying someone else to pull my ripcord... you have to respect your fears even if you're going to try to confront them...