Quarry Accidents

[Boats]

I was in a local dive shop, and was sort-of "LISTENING" in on a conversation by a gaggle (gaggle being 5) of divers. I don't know if they were local, experienced or just learning, but I thought the conversation interesting.

Basically, the conversation can be summed up as the following:

1. "Gilboa is a dangerous trap."

2. "A person dies each year at Whitestar."

3. They are diving Portage.

Now, I just dove Whitestar. It looks great! I GOOGLED the web, and didn't find anything amiss regarding diver deaths or accidents. The only thing I found was the woman who was life flighted, but she survived.

I never dove Gilboa, but I was out there yesterday doing the pre-register for the big weekend! I thought the area nice, and the woman I spoke with was very friendly as well as helpful. It looks like Gilboa picked up some property for camping, has built a few cabins, and has a bunkhouse. All good! GOOGLE showed four diver deaths fairly close together. I didnt see if the cause was listed.

So, what's up with this talk? It's unfortunete when anyone passes, let alone in our sport. Is there some undercurrent out there regarding these dive sites? Has this been discussed before? I don't want to re-hash. IF this has been posted before, could someone just post the thread link for me?

When I was living down in Hudson Florida, two divers died in a sink hole not two miles from my place, just off the Gulf. It was a known spot for experienced cave and technical divers. The two who drowned, had no training and it was unfortunete they died. The feedback from this, was harsh. Papers spoke on diving but obviously didn't have a clue. And non-divers talked about how unsafe the sport was. So, I realize people can talk, without a bit of common sense. :shocked2:

Anyways, just my two cents!

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Dive sites vary as to risk. Gilboa and White Star have their challenging areas. However, if you follow their rules and dive within your limits, both are perfectly safe location. As to dive quarries, they are both top notch on par with the best training sites in the country. Diving beyond your limits and diver complacency cause problems at those two sites, not the sites themselves. Also, both sites are amazingly fast to deal with any emergencies.

I've not been to Portage but I'm sure the same can be said for it.

What you experienced is a very odd phenomenon that is unique to NW Ohio. The fans of one like to bash the other two. Why? I have no idea! All this BS between the three ... Gilboa, White Star and Portage is just childish. NW Ohio is blessed by 3 great dive training sites. I've personally been to 2 of the 3 and they blow away anything Indiana has to offer. But this childish bickering between "fans of..." Gilboa vs. White Star vs. Portage just gets really, really old.

 

[ScubaSteve]

......people can talk, without a bit of common sense. :shocked2:......

The only part that matters from everything that you typed (not literally).

IMO, people want drama in their lives and will therefore create it from anything they can. You even see it here on SB with as many divers as we have. Something happens and some people jump on a bandwagon and others go on the defensive. We here on SB are the "sensible" group (for the most part )........if you get a group of new or uncertified divers look out. The stories will fly and change with each passing minute. Just read most articles written about Scuba related Incidents (fatal or not).....people do not know what they are writing about, but write it none the less.

 

[diverdown78]

Dive sites vary as to risk. Gilboa and White Star have their challenging areas. However, if you follow their rules and dive within your limits, both are perfectly safe location. As to dive quarries, they are both top notch on par with the best training sites in the country. Diving beyond your limits and diver complacency cause problems at those two sites, not the sites themselves. Also, both sites are amazingly fast to deal with any emergencies.

I've not been to Portage but I'm sure the same can be said for it.

What you experienced is a very odd phenomenon that is unique to NW Ohio. The fans of one like to bash the other two. Why? I have no idea! All this BS between the three ... Gilboa, White Star and Portage is just childish. NW Ohio is blessed by 3 great dive training sites. I've personally been to 2 of the 3 and they blow away anything Indiana has to offer. But this childish bickering between "fans of..." Gilboa vs. White Star vs. Portage just gets really, really old.

as a nw ohio local diver i agree with u on this...all three site are excellant dive spots and iv only heard of one fatality...and it was due to stupidity

 

[TheScubaBOB]

iv only heard of one fatality...and it was due to stupidity

When is a fatality ever "Due to Intelligence"?


{not implying that all fatalities are due to stupidity}

 

[diverdown78]

When is a fatality ever "Due to Intelligence"?


{not implying that all fatalities are due to stupidity}

i was just making a statement...thats all

 

[TheScubaBOB]

i was just making a statement...thats all

I know, I was just sharing my amusement at the thought....

 

[diverdown78]

I know, I was just sharing my amusement at the thought....

oh ok

 

[Boats]

Oh, I am in agreement with the un-intelligent talk! I think divers are lucky to have the three sites in this part of MI / OH / IN to dive!

I guess people can be people. Down in Florida, you would occasssional run into the same thing. I just would hate to have a new diver, get a ear full of that, ya know?

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Oh, I am in agreement with the un-intelligent talk! I think divers are lucky to have the three sites in this part of MI / OH / IN to dive!

I guess people can be people. Down in Florida, you would occasssional run into the same thing. I just would hate to have a new diver, get a ear full of that, ya know?

The majority of conversations I overhear in dive shops leave me shaking my head and gritting my teeth.