Smoking and diving

[boulderjohn]

Nonetheless, I find the judgemental nature of some of the divers posting here just as off-putting as a disrespectful smoker, and hope not to be on a boat with you.

Wow! That is quite a judgment! I am sure glad you don't have a judgmental nature!

 

[gcarter]

Wow! That is quite a judgment! I am sure glad you don't have a judgmental nature!

LOL.

Judgemental people tend to spend all of their time complaining. Not what I want to listen to on a dive boat, that's all. I am there to relax.

 

[boulderjohn]

Both of my parents smoked. As a result, I grew up with chronic childhood bronchitis. This health problem is virtually unknown outside of smoking households. In elementary school, several of the students called me "cough drop" because of my frequent bouts with bronchitis. As a high school athlete, I sometimes had to stop for coughing fits during wind sprints. Smoking was common when I went to college, and my bouts of bronchitis continued. I never was a smoker myself, though, and after a few years of post college life, my chronic bronchitis disappeared forever.

I thought about it, though, when talking to some Germans about the issues of restricting smoking in public places. We were in a beer garden at the time, and there were no such restrictions there. "What about my right to smoke?" one asked. "How can you take that right away from me?" As he spoke, the smoke from his cigarette was blowing into my face, and I started to cough.

I am sorry if my desire to exercise my right to breathe clean air comes across as judgmental.

 

[Dogbowl]

LOL.

Judgemental people tend to spend all of their time complaining. Not what I want to listen to on a dive boat, that's all. I am there to relax.

I don’t see the comments in this thread as “judgmental”, as in “Eeew! He smokes, I don’t like him!”

All I see are people saying that second hand smoke bothers them, especially on a boat where others can’t avoid it. If something is affecting them to their detriment, I think that’s a valid point. Not being judgmental at all.

And others discussing the effects of smoking and diving. Pretty tame stuff.

 

[CathyE]

@boulderjohn,

my home country is Lithuania. In Mongolia i currently reside and work. Yes, you are right that in Asia people tend to smoke much more. In European union there are laws that prohibit smoking in many places. Also, cigarettes and cigars are very expensive. I wrote this post due to the following:

1) In FB very famous dive resort posted picture with smoking divers on the boat (including instructor). PADI and other organisations very clearly say that smoking and diving do not go together. So, if you are diving instructor it is extremely bad tone to smoke in front of your students. This would be the same if you start learning driving and your instructor sits in a car with you with bottle of beer.

Not the same, sitting beside you, in a car, with a beer is illegal. Smoking is not illegal it is just not recommended.

2) This picyture was posted by some stupid person who is responsible for dive center marketing. I would fire such person immediately because he/she does not understand that this is a very bad publicity.... if i see that diving center instructors and all they students smoke i might get impression that this dive center does not look into diving and safety very seriously. At least i would avoid such dive center.

You obviously don't agree with the decision to post the picture nor believe that they should allow smoking, and you might have the right to fire them if it was your shop. Calling someone you disagree with a 'stupid person' is a behaviour that should have been left back in grade school.

Regarding GUE - this is really great organisation and according to their rules you should be non-smoker. I think that this is really right approach. I already completed PADI recreational courses and intend to enroll into GUE Fundies or UTD Essentials. At least, what i read about GUE and their philosophy it seems that tehy are very close to my internal value system and thinking.

This is exactly what you should do! Alligning yourself with an agency that reflects your personal beliefs and values is very appropriate. Same as you get to choose who you dive with to ensure you get the experience that is right for you.

 

[Snoweman]

On the 17 of October 2018, smoking marijuana will be 100 % legal across Canada from coast to coast. So, if it's the tobacco smoke that bothers you, you can always consider moving here.

OTOH, from a cardiovascular and respiratory point of view, 1 joint = 5 cigarettes.

Where are you getting this data? Most weed should not include the additives the tobacco companies put in their cigarettes. Plus..., there's always the edible option.

 

[boulderjohn]

Where are you getting this data? Most weed should not include the additives the tobacco companies put in their cigarettes. Plus..., there's always the edible option.

Do a google search and you will get a wide variety of answers to this question. It leads me to believe there is nothing definitive in the research. Of course, I have to assume that no smoke is in the best interest of your lungs.

 

[Snoweman]

Do a google search and you will get a wide variety of answers to this question. It leads me to believe there is nothing definitive in the research. Of course, I have to assume that no smoke is in the best interest of your lungs.

Being a schedule 1 narcotic (up there with heroin and cocaine for reasons I will never understand), research on it is scarce. This is changing, and more information will be forthcoming. I agree with you, for now. Especially if you don't grow your own and can't verify the absence of pesticides. But, like I pointed out before, there's always edibles.

 

[Dogbowl]

Being a schedule 1 narcotic (up there with heroin and cocaine for reasons I will never understand), research on it is scarce. This is changing, and more information will be forthcoming. I agree with you, for now. Especially if you don't grow your own and can't verify the absence of pesticides. But, like I pointed out before, there's always edibles.

If edibles were the only way to consume cannabis, that would negate so many negatives. Go ahead, eat your heart out! Who am I to judge what one puts into their bodies?

Unfortunately, the smoking part affects other people, in communal living, in social places, etc. Same with smoking cigarettes.

 

[Snoweman]

If edibles were the only form to consume weed, that would negate so many negatives. Go ahead, eat your heart out!

Unfortunately, the smoking part affects other people, in communal living, in social places, etc.

I'm old and only feel like beating up on my liver. I'm an ex-smoker, so I don't want to put anything in my lungs for fear of taking up smoking again. That being said, smelling pot doesn't offend me. I can see where parents might not like their kids smelling it, though.