Should the dive industry support record attempts?

[Wookie]

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.

Sorry Peter.

I guess when I posted this, The head of a certain training agency immediately called Add Helium and asked them if they were the "staff" that had done a dive to some depth beyond 400 feet. Put your fears at rest, Tom. Peter Sotis has never been on my boat, I have no knowledge of him teaching expedition trimix, I have no idea if he is even an instructor for expedition trimix. The person on my staff who has been to 700+ feet (I guess it's really 600+) is not an instructor, and is not on Add Helium's staff.

 

[Akimbo]

pushing boundaries is human nature. man on the moon etc etc. years ago 30metres would have been considered deep we only know what is possible by doing.

Exactly what human boundary are you talking about? Divers have performed a lot of work much deeper than that for decades. The only boundary I see being crossed is who can make a completely pointless dive for the lowest possible cost.