Smoking divers

[Beachman]

At the risk of bwerb considering my comment petty, and recognizing the small sample size in this poll may not be representative, it seems possible that Conner's original observation that divers (particularly DM's and instructors) may smoke more than other groups could be right.

It seems to me I read recently that the general population now has something like 25%-30% smokers. This poll of divers at this point shows a little less than 40% of those responding are smokers.

Noting that the DM's and instructors I see are generally pretty physically fit people (aside from the smoking issue), maybe they've chosen smoking as the lesser of evils compared with obesity and/or poor cardio conditioning which plagues the average American today.

 

[bwerb]

Beachman once bubbled...
At the risk of bwerb considering my comment petty

Dude, I don't consider your comment here petty, have at it.

Interesting question concerning do divers smoke more than the general population. Personal observation would say no, not in my area. But then again, where I live our percentage of smokers is much lower than the national average.

Keep smiling Beachman

 

[SeaJay]

GQMedic once bubbled...

I enjoy smoking, I have no plans on quitting, in fact, I'm smoking right now. *puff puff*

Hahahahaaa!!! That's hilarious...

I applaud your determination to smoke. Enjoy it. I know I did.

 

[victoriawtx]

that smokes, but I think that we all have choices, and I can't push my opinions on someone else. I don't like smoking at all, for several reasons, not to mention my eyes cannot take it. I also think that it may be a reflection of someone's dedication to their health, however, it is an addiction, and a very hard habit to break.

My mother was a chain-smoker for many years and her addiction almost cost her her life. I remember sitting by her bedside as a little girl, holding her hand in the hospital, just wanting my mother to live. Luckily for me, and the rest of my family, she did. I have never tried a cigarette, and I never will....and being around someone that is smoking is very difficult for me.

So could I dive with someone that was a smoker? I say maybe I could, but in reality, maybe I could not.

 

[tinman]

GQMedic once bubbled...
I enjoy smoking, I have no plans on quitting, in fact, I'm smoking right now. *puff puff* As far as as quitting, nah, no one likes a quitter! *smirk* Care for one? Do you smoke on dive boats or other places where non-smokers are? Or, do you breathe on dive boats or other places where smokers are? ;-P

Smoking: No time better than NOW to start!

...I have first dibbs on his gear - is Cidex still the best hospital grade disinfectant for regs?

At least in your profession, you should have no shortage of fellow smokers to commiserate with, just have someone else drive the ambulance while you talk with the patients - sorry I meant smokers - you drive to the hospital or morgue...

Sorry, couldn't resist jerking your chain, you being a medical professional and all....

P.S. I breath on dive boats or other places where smokers aren't.

 

[cyklon_300]

on non-combustion forms of nicotine delivery, we wouldn't have this debate.

Simply administer the drug via a drinkable liquid, topical lotion, transdermal patch, gum, or tablet, and non-smokers would have no beef as there would be no vile odor or second-hand inhalation hazards.

The nicotine junkies could party all day long with no complaints from anyone. No more suffering withdrawl in planes, office spaces, etc.

Of course, they'd lose that glamorous look of sticking a burning log in their face...

 

[divemistress]

go after the obese.

Reading five pages of (mostly) anti-smoking and anti-obesity posts at one sitting is overwhelming. I come away with the general impression that smokers and the obese are dangerous, thoughtless, careless and/or lazy. (Pick as many as you feel apply.)

Life isn't that simple. Both groups are drug abusers; every person has his/her own reasons for taking drugs. Yes, they would be better off if they quit -- and millions are trying. But reality is, it isn't always easy. In most cases you have to eliminate the reason for needing the drug to eliminate the drug itself.

)Bwerb and SeaJay may be exceptions. With their strength of will, they probably can slay fierce dragons, climb tall mountains, and abandon negative behaviors within moments of identifying them. But they are SuperBeings. )

But surely smokers and the obese aren't the only members of the Do Not Dive With List. Dozens of other groups have potentially dangerous health conditions are behaviors that might threaten our safety.

What about alcohol drinkers? Ever gone diving with someone with a hangover -- even mild? They're certainly not performing at their highest level. Or people with high blood pressure? Bad tempers? High anxiety? Type A personalities?

Or those who take prescription medication. Early in this thread someone mentioned Wellbutrin, which is an anti-depressant. Either the condition or the remedy could cloud judgment.

What about someone whose wetsuit is too tight. (I'm not joking.) If it's tight enough, it will make breathing uncomfortable, if not difficult.

Someone who's always cold underwater may be thinking about his/her personal discomfort, rather than the safety of the buddy team. An insomniac, awake by night, drowsy by day.

How many of us have some habit or characteristic which make us a less-than-perfect dive buddy? How serious does it have to be to put us on the Do Not Dive With List? Where do we each draw the line?

DM
Never a smoker, once obese.


*No flaming please. This is a literary paraphrase. If you don't know what I'm referring to, PM me and I'll clarify. DM.

 

[GQMedic]

Nope, Wexcide is the big boy of disinfectants. Cool stuff really.

No shortage of paramedics that smoke! Gotta love the cloud crowd!

Hey, no worries about jerking my chain, that's why I wear one..

We partner and fellow smoker take turns driving. But we smoke in unison. Now THATS a partner!

P.S. I smoke on dive boats and other places where breathers are.

Damn pesky breathers! Wanna cigarette?

*puff* *puff* *Puff*

-Dennis

Still smokin' in the cold waters of So. Cal. and founder of Doing IT (DI) Diving....

tinman once bubbled...


...I have first dibbs on his gear - is Cidex still the best hospital grade disinfectant for regs?

At least in your profession, you should have no shortage of fellow smokers to commiserate with, just have someone else drive the ambulance while you talk with the patients - sorry I meant smokers - you drive to the hospital or morgue...

Sorry, couldn't resist jerking your chain, you being a medical professional and all....

P.S. I breath on dive boats or other places where smokers aren't.

ut: ut: ut: ut:

 

[GQMedic]

Nah, that would be too easy.... I smoke, therefore I am...

-Dennis

cyklon_300 once bubbled...
on non-combustion forms of nicotine delivery, we wouldn't have this debate.

Simply administer the drug via a drinkable liquid, topical lotion, transdermal patch, gum, or tablet, and non-smokers would have no beef as there would be no vile odor or second-hand inhalation hazards.

The nicotine junkies could party all day long with no complaints from anyone. No more suffering withdrawl in planes, office spaces, etc.

Of course, they'd lose that glamorous look of sticking a burning log in their face...

 

[tinman]

GQMedic once bubbled...
Nah, that would be too easy.... I smoke, therefore I am...

...let me help you with that grammar problem:

"I smoke, therefore I was..."