Negligent homicide: Swiss diving instructor convicted over student's death

[BoltSnap]

It really is surprising to see that someone has reached the level of instructor without any dives to 100 feet. In my early diving, I was just looking for ordinary diving experiences, nothing special. I just checked my old log books, and I found that by dive #100, I had 8 dives in excess of 100 feet, and many more than that in the 85-99 foot range.

As surprising as it is, it is certainly possible. The requirements for divemaster and instructor are primary geared toward skill instruction. I think there needs to be a bigger emphasis on a professional's overall experience. It should not be possible for a divemaster or instructor to conduct an NDL dive that takes divers deeper than they ever gone.

Perhaps the one that should have been prosecuted was the original CD/IE who certified the victim as an instructor. This is SO unbelievable. The victim, who is a certified instructor, should have known his limits. He was supposed to be a professional who teaches people not to exceed their limits and to say no when they need to.

 

[FishWatcher747]

This makes little sense. I suspect this victim had more diving experience and training than 95% of all students who take a recreational deep diving course.

But it does show that diving is dangerous. RIP.

 

[Bob DBF]

I cannot begin to estimate how many AOW divers have taken the deep dive specialty world-wide, which is essentially what the victim, who was an instructor rather than an AOW diver, was doing.

In this case, the victim was a certified dive instructor, which is very odd. He was acting as if he was on his certification dive for the ow course.

This makes little sense. I suspect this victim had more diving experience and training than 95% of all students who take a recreational deep diving course.

Do not underestimate the stress that deep cold water, even with good viz, can be challenging if one is not throughly acclimated. Add the learning curve for the change in gear from warm water gear. I'd be interested in how many dives he had below the thermocline before the class