redrover
Guest
I had a real interesting conversation with an attorney once on a chair lift. The ski resort was open, conditions god awful and I was impressed it was, they weren’t making money running empty lifts. And thinking I was out of my mind. To be out in this (now) rain/wind/sleet/frozen rain weather, to ski what had to be a horrendous mix of ice base and cat scat nicely frosted with a foot and a half of cement near to slurry consistency. We may have been the only 2 people on the chair, that day.Dive operators and instructors are--and should be--held to a higher standard of accountability.
What do you think the dive operation told the divers?
--Hell, yes, you could be attacked; that's what makes the dive exciting!
--Of course you're safe; we've done this numerous times and no one has ever been attacked.
--We're creating a situation that knowingly makes sharks aggressive; if you're stupid enough to jump in the water without protection, that's your problem, not ours.
In none of those situations would the operation have acted in a reasonable and prudent manner.
...
The very fact that a dive operation offered this type of dive implies that it is safe for divers who act reasonably under water.
...
Dive operations, however, are expected to adequately ensure the safety of the divers they bring out.
...
Passengers have a reasonable expectation that an operation (diving or airline) has their well-being in mind.
In the end, though, I hope this tragedy at least helps divers better understand how foolish it is to use operations that chum the water (whether sharks are present or not); they're more interested in taking your money than keeping you safe or offering you an authentic dive experience.
This guy began complaining first at poor customer service – just plain everywhere. First he had a hard time just getting to the base, the plow hadn’t come by recently enough he was able to keep his feet in street shoes dry. Next he got a lift ticket with considerable discussion along the line of, “ are you sure you want to buy one today?”
Still determined, had to talk the rental people into accepting his money. The ski shop was hesitant to sell him the hat the rental guy was pushing him to get, “you really want to have a hat today.”
Making his way to the lift several minutes before me; then, the lift operator was doing his best to get him to reconsider. Seeing me slide up, he bolted in beside nearly knocking me out and scrabbled to climb up in as the chair left the ground.
His story was how he’d looked forward to skiing in Alaska. He had taken lessons 2 winters ago (somewhere else) and not skied since. He was a good strong snowplower and damm proud of it. I suggested the conditions were for advanced skiers today, he might want to ride the lift back down and I’d bet he could get his money back (tell Georgia Lisa asked as a favor.) Oh no! None of that by golly, I came here to ski and ski I will. Despite all these rude and unfriendly people; are you all like that?
I did my best to gently and politely explain how his competence level was just not up to snuff (you idiot) for what he would be facing. “If it’s good enough for you, why not me?” Well, to be honest, I said; I think I’m crazy. This is miserable weather, I’ve no expectation of enjoying myself and 1 pure survival run is all I expect I can take. Just as one run is labeled suitable for beginners, others are marked as advanced. One would be wise to follow the advice given. In short; this mountain today, is no place for a beginner.
He thought about that a while as we now got into the open with the full brunt of the storm making us drug up hill against the wind. Not having seen what the bowl looked like, I was trying to figure out if was worth risking the chance it would be even worse that what I could see.
And planning a little stop at the Patrol to let them know there was a touron on the hill. They might want to have their own extreme experience with a sled following him, at a discrete distance of course.
His story changed. Now as we neared the summit it built slowly into outrage that the resort would allow him to endanger himself in this careless, disregard for safety manner. This resort has no business being open. It is clearly unsafe for me to be here. They should have never let me buy a ticket, get gear, let alone on the lift. If I get hurt, I’m suing them for every penny they have. I’m an attorney by god and I know my rights!