Should the dive industry support record attempts?

[Jax]

Let's put it this way - As an industry it shouldn't ban record attempts, but any support or lack thereof should be at the individual discretion of a center, operator, company, manufacturer etc..

Hear, hear!

There is a big difference between "risky" and "stupid". Risky is when you have planned and accounted for everything to the nit-noid detail. The risk is in "if the slightest thing goes wrong" and in the unexpected.

When the most basic of technical divers reads this story and immediately reacts with WTF, stupid is the word.

 

[rhwestfall]

NO!

If this dive had been utilized by dive research organizations to further research the physiology (& seemingly, psychology) of deep diving, it might be supportable, however, it seems this really would not have accomplished any of this, as it has been studied, the expected results were common in discussions, and the outcome was merely validated....

 

[dreamdive]

You guys! What do you mean by "support"???? I can tell you that these are costly events which are not funded by people like you but by the people doing it. Some manufacturers may lend you some support, but the MAJORITY of the cost is on the team doing it!

It's their cash and their bacon! Maybe the post should be renamed to "approve" rather than "support".

 

[redacted]

I would interpret such support as the dive industry vouching for the safety of the endeavor. I did not check a block.

 

[The Chairman]

It's their cash and their bacon! Maybe the post should be renamed to "approve" rather than "support".

Actually, many of these attempts reach out to the manufacturers for free gear and yes, even financial support. Chris pissed off a ton of people when he refused to support one of these attempts. He lost business over this.

 

[underH2Oman]

With such a diverse sport the term record is too vague. Records could be had for depth, distance, time, environment, altitude etc. the fact that someone visits a new area that has not had the fortune of other visitors could constitute a record (1st to dive ???) the fact is that we as divers do our best to explore the unknown. If the record is part of an attempt to explore the unknown and provide the information from knowledge gained that it should be considered for some support. If the record is a personal attempt to achieve a personal goal then it should be up to the individual to make it happen. Like all attempts at exploration/records the money could come from anyone individual or business that wishes to support the effort. Leave the support to the planning team to see where they think they can get it as the choices are large with such a diverse industry. training agencies, retail stores, equipment manufacturing, travel and tourism etc it is hard to think that anyone could get even a small part of it to agree to support any record attempt.
How can a training agency throw support to an activity that may not have specific training.
How can a manufacturer throw support to an activity that it has not tested or verified its equipment will function at 100%
Would a retail store in California see any benefit to supporting a record attempt in Florida? the chance is small.
Would travel and tourism support a risky venture that would lead to a headline good or bad that does not promote an activity that someone could come and try? I think not.

I say leave the support option to those that accept to participate.

 

[Bob DBF]

I voted yes, not because it is any of my business, but because you asked. I would hope that any part of the SCUBA industry that gets involved with any record attempt would exert a positive influence on the team involved.

Darwin or death wish, I don't know, it's not my business to decide what others should do.



Bob

 

[redacted]

Actually, many of these attempts reach out to the manufacturers for free gear and yes, even financial support. Chris pissed off a ton of people when he refused to support one of these attempts. He lost business over this.

Chris or Pete want to tell us more about this??

I am most intrigued with the idea that such endeavors may employ threats to garner support.

 

[Wookie]

Actually, many of these attempts reach out to the manufacturers for free gear and yes, even financial support. Chris pissed off a ton of people when he refused to support one of these attempts. He lost business over this.

Just so you know, Light Monkey was shaken down on a recent depth attempt. "If you don't sponsor us to the tune of 3 grand, we will cover your logo with duct tape so no one sees your logo".

---------- Post added August 18th, 2015 at 11:13 AM ----------

Chris or Pete want to tell us more about this??

I am most intrigued with the idea that such endeavors may employ threats to garner support.

^^^^^^^. See above.

---------- Post added August 18th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ----------

I've been thinking more about this. This most recent attempt has garnered the interest of the Coast Guard. There will be an investigation. Then, there is the insurance issue. My policy requires a supervisor on the boat certified to conduct the type of dives being completed. I would call an expedition trimix instructor such a supervisor. I have such a person on my staff. I also have a diver who has dived to 700+ feet on staff. Her instructor is available for a fee. Dive boat insurance is a pool, so if one operator does something completely off the reservation, we all pay the price through increased regulation or scrutiny, and if the operator is sued, all of our rates reflect this.

 

[underH2Oman]

Just so you know, Light Monkey was shaken down on a recent depth attempt. "If you don't sponsor us to the tune of 3 grand, we will cover your logo with duct tape so no one sees your logo".

---------- Post added August 18th, 2015 at 11:13 AM ----------
.

^^^^^^^. See above.

I think it is sad that this would happen. I only hope that light Monkey told them "thanks for using our equipment I am sure you made an excellent choice and we will happily supply the duct tape".