No dive light allowed?

[captain]

The smart diver will not go in without a light, the dumb diver will. So by not allowing lights we reduce the dumb diver gene pool.

 

[DaleHall]

The "no lights" policy is a testament to sorry training. A properly trained diver can be trusted with a light, but experience has taught the places that prohibit lights that divers are not properly trained, and therefore punish the ones that are to keep the ones that aren't from killing themselves.

I don't agree.. For most of us that are certified divers, we were given the proper training by our respective certifying agencies. Granted some instructors are better than others, but that isn't the case here. What's questionable is what the individual does with that training. Just because they have a c-card, doesn't mean they have common sense. The no-lights rules are more for the uninformed, stupid brave, or just plain stupid. :no We're all taught not to go into overhead environments during our O/W training. But, every year, there are those that don't listen and die because of it.

Just like an old saying I've heard:
The difference between Genius and Stupidity? Genius has it's limits.

 

[Soggy]

The smart diver will not go in without a light, the dumb diver will. So by not allowing lights we reduce the dumb diver gene pool.

I'd say the opposite. We are increasing the dumb diver gene pool. A smart diver won't go in even with a light if they aren't properly trained whereas a dumb diver will. Thus, we are pushing against natural selection and allowing people who would otherwise be removed from the gene pool to survive.

In principle, I think the rule is bad and would rather see freedom rule over idiocy, but in practice, it's probably better for everyone since the sites would just get closed down.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

The "no lights" policy is a testament to sorry training. A properly trained diver can be trusted with a light, but experience has taught the places that prohibit lights that divers are not properly trained, and therefore punish the ones that are to keep the ones that aren't from killing themselves.

I dunno ... you can be very well-trained in OW conditions, and still have no business venturing into an overhead environment.

I guess it's a regional thing. Where I dive, a light is pretty much a required piece of equipment in OW if you're planning to go below 20 feet or so ... and sometimes even then. But we don't have caves here ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[vondo]

I dunno ... you can be very well-trained in OW conditions, and still have no business venturing into an overhead environment.

But a properly trained diver will know that, which is what his point was, I think.

 

[wedivebc]

as to overhead sites, the thinking is that without a light, a diver won't venture too far into the cave, develop a problem, and die

Same thinking that prevents intro cave divers from diving doubles:no

 

[H2Andy]

Same thinking that prevents intro cave divers from diving doubles:no

yup...

but no cave diver has died wearing a single tank in ... how long?

whereas the same can not be said of cave divers wearing doubles ...

so ... i would say in the absence of better evidence, that is a good indication that things should not be changed

or to put it another way: the risk of single tank failure is much smaller than the risk of a new diver misusing the doubles through poor dive planning and dying as a result

just like the risk of not carrying a light is much smaller than the risk of carrying a light and getting in too deep and dying as a result

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Just wondering, but where it says "VIDEO", does it mean VHS? I'd like to add it to my collection, but if it's not a DVD, I'd have to get my hands on a VCR. (Hmm... if it's not Macrovision-encumbered, it might be worth the effort to find a VCR so I can record a proper personal-use-only DVD for myself.) Anyway, just wondering (since you seem likely to know the answer off-hand).

I got mine a few years ago and it was a video, I had my husband make it into a DVD for me last year. This site has it in DVD format but I don't know if the NSS site does.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[cinder4320]

Same thinking that prevents intro cave divers from diving doubles:no

Really? I know the NACD class can be taken in doubles (using a sixth of gas instead of a third).

I plan on only diving doubles and following the rule of 1/6ths until full cave. Better to be well versed and confident in the set-up ....and smart enough to follow the rules and not dive beyond my training.

~Miranda

 

[airsix]

I think rules preventing the use of STANDARD pieces of diving equipment are misguided and dangerous. Period.

I can understand a rule banning a diver from carrying a spear-gun into a marine sanctuary, but to ban lights and gloves is just stupid. Punish the people who mis-use their equipment, but don't punish the whole population! I can be a good boy without someone always trying to be my babysitter.

-Ben