Should the Seaworld trainer death video be released?

[mike_s]

so what exactly is this video?

1.) security camera footage? (above water"

2.) or tourist video taken underwater at the rear window viewing area of the tanks?

 

[Cave Diver]

There is no option for "I say release the video but not under the guise of training". People will watch the video for whatever reason they have.

I think option 2 covers this.

 

[crd_kats]

so what exactly is this video?

1.) security camera footage? (above water"

2.) or tourist video taken underwater at the rear window viewing area of the tanks?

These are my questions as well. I personally don't want to watch her death. I would rather view a video of the orca 30 minutes prior to entering the "stadium" pool up to the point where he drags her off the platform. What was his behavior pattern and how was it different from other days.

I don't know what Seaworld's policy is for exercising these huge animals, but being confined in such a small space and expected to perform on command takes a toll.

 

[Cave Diver]

so what exactly is this video?

1.) security camera footage? (above water"

2.) or tourist video taken underwater at the rear window viewing area of the tanks?

As I read it, it's security footage that shows the entire accident.

Here's one article:

Should SeaWorld trainer's death video be sealed? - WDBO Local News on wdbo.com

 

[mike_s]

As I read it, it's security footage that shows the entire accident.

Here's one article:

Should SeaWorld trainer's death video be sealed? - WDBO Local News on wdbo.com

There were people who were at the "viewing glass" when the incident happened also and saw it (or part of it) of what happened underwater.

I just wasn't sure if one of them had a video cam, cell cam, point and shoot cam, etc taping it.



As for releasing it... If the family doesn't want the video of her death to be released, then I say comply with that request.

I mean with the internet the way it is, i'll be all over the world and other sites withing minutes/hours. Then her kids (if she had them) at school will be subjected to "hey I just saw a video of your mom dying". not what we really want.

I think the reference of the Dale Earnheart autopsy photos is a good one. There was no reason I thought for the public to see pictures of him dead on a autopsy table. it just provided no benefit

 

[ScubaSteve]

Right out of the gate......her husband does not want it released so I side with him. Seal it up.

 

[Cave Diver]

Right out of the gate......her husband does not want it released so I side with him. Seal it up.

Are you opposed to keeping trainers or other people that work with such animals from viewing it, even on a limited basis for educational reasons? Or do you think some allowances could be made to view it under controlled circumstances to prevent other incidents?

 

[ScubaSteve]

Are you opposed to keeping trainers or other people that work with such animals from viewing it, even on a limited basis for educational reasons? Or do you think some allowances could be made to view it under controlled circumstances to prevent other incidents?

I believe that it is impossible to "control the video" if it is released to anybody. If the family does not want it released, then I say hide it away for life. One does not have to physically view the incident to come up with ideas on how to improve safety procedures etc. The people that need to know what happened do know, and can discuss in detail what they know. I believe the wishes of the family should be honoured 100%.

 

[H2O 70]

I think the reference of the Dale Earnheart autopsy photos is a good one. There was no reason I thought for the public to see pictures of him dead on a autopsy table. it just provided no benefit

I don't think photos of the autopsy of an accident victim vs. the video of how the victim got into the accident is a good reference at all.

I think a current relevant issue would be the luge accident of Nodar Kumaritashvili at the 2010 Winter Olympics. It is sad and tragic, but we saw that and we saw how the luge officials reacted. We/they learned from watching that tragic accident. That occurred on international TV, so it is out there. The accident at Sea World didn't, but I think people can learn regardless.

We have reality shows that show security footage of people accidentally walking in front of trains, not paying attention. You turn on the History Channel and we can watch footage of those two Russian bank robbers who were better armed than the police put a gun to their head and pull the trigger. I don't know how much learning we get from watching these.

I think people who work in marine parks and aquariums could learn from Sea Worlds video.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I think people who work in marine parks and aquariums could learn from Sea Worlds video.

But how would you propose to "control" the delivery of the video? Or would it just get released to the general public against the families wishes? I personally do not see how it is possible to control the delivery of the tape once it is released "once". I would agree that IF people could learn from seeing it when they could NOT learn without seeing it, and we could 100% guarantee security (i.e. not a single chance in the world that it could get leaked), then I would say use it (but still not without the families wishes).