Should the dive industry support record attempts?

[Wookie]

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".

That's exactly what I was told....

 

[Diver0001]

I didn't vote. What I think is that we should discourage "tourists" from attempting record setting dives. This is similar in my mind to the need to discourage "tourists" from climbing Mt. Everest.

 

[RJP]

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".

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".

In the real world of marketing this is very commonly done, albeit with a greater degree of tact... on both sides. Ever watch a TV show that ends with voiceover/text saying "Promotional consideration has been provided by..." Variants include Product Placement, Product Integration, and traditional Promotional Consideration.

Typically one of two things happen:
1.) Where a product is "one of multiple acceptable products" the opportunity to supply product and pay a product placement/integration fee is offered and whichever brand agrees to the most lucrative deal gets their product used.

2.) Where there is a specific product desired - or no alternative - the opportunity to supply product and perhaps pay a product placement fee is offered to that one company. If there's interest, there's negotiation. If a deal is struck, the brand is shown. If there's no deal... the brand is struck. (Usually with something better than duct tape.)

Also note, any time ANY product is paying a fee (including simply running ads during a show) it is common to strike the logos of any/all other brands that can be seen in a production. It's simply not fair to anyone who is paying to have THEIR brand featured to see other brands featured as well... for free.

Ultimately, I guess whether any brand/company feels like they were "shaken down" comes down to a matter of style. Done properly, Light Monkey would have been "offered a promotional opportunity" that they could have either accepted or declined.

 

[FinnMom]

No. Mainstream divers should not be taught that going deeper is bigger, better or in any way admirable..
Any fool can achieve more in this game by simply being willing to take a greater risk. Every now and then some ridiculous attempt will succeed because even 1 in 10,000 really does roll around every now and again. Meanwhile each and every death is more mud on the reputation of our sport.

 

[RJP]

Meanwhile each and every death is more mud on the reputation of our sport.

Right. The "World Record Dive Ends In Tragedy" story is all over the general, non-diving news. But there's never a breaking news headline on CNN saying "Tourist Sees Pretty Fish In Grand Cayman, Had A Great Time"

So the perception is "all you ever hear about is divers getting killed"

 

[cerich]

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.

Add Helium got bent out of shape when I didn't give them free gear for a record attempt a few years back. They started to tell everybody that HOG regs were crap and they ended up running over 60 (IIR) HOG regs they had sold and had to take back with their truck in the parking lot because they weren't safe and they wanted to make sure nobody dived them on facebook. Except that Add Helium never even bought anywhere close to the amount of regs they claimed (yes, I checked sales records at the time). I posted a rebuttal and even at the time made my position clear that I felt being the official equipment supplier to a dive depth record was akin to being the official ammunition supplier to a russian roulette tourny. Needless to say there is no love lost between us. That's OK IMHO they are beneath contempt. I have been tiold by other folks in the manuf side of things they pulled similar tactics with them as well.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I think as long as the record has something to give back to the community it's fine...endurance records, penetration records etc are fine....depth records should be blackballed. We already know what the limits of human endurance are in that regard....depth record breakers are merely trying to one up the last guy that almost died.

While I believe that from a "business" standpoint the industry can do as it pleases, "morally" I'm with Tom on this.

Does the record attempt have any uses other than propping up the ego of the diver attempting the record? Will it yield valuable info that can help forward diving science, making diving as whole safer for the general diving population?

Depth records seem pointless, other than from an ego, back-slapping, t-shirt printing standpoint. If individuals want to do that, fine. Just don't make their rush to suicide any easier by providing material support.

Best wishes.

 

[NAM001]

I think that as long as it has to do with euipment it is ok. IE a new rebreather scrubber system allows longer dive times. Record breaking would be the result of a method for testing. if its just for the glory of breaking a record then no. The recent deep dive death should not be sanctioned.

 

[smellysocks]

A diver should be ready to pull the plug on the slightest inkling that something isn't right. The added pressure of a public 'record breaking' regardless of what record is being challenged too easily clouds judgement and leads to divers making mistakes. These mistakes are not always recoverable.

 

[kr2y5]

I have a problem with answering the poll, because it's unclear what "support" means. If it means "encourage", then I think not. On the other hand, the diving community maximizes the chances of having influence on the outcome by getting closely involved, and by offering help and advice, and that is certainly a form of "support".