"Why?" Thankyou but....

[Hocky]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for replying to my initial "Why" question on oxygen toxicity. I actually had no idea why oxygen was toxic at depth, and whats scary is that I have asked the same question to a number of instructors and course directors and they don't either?!

Sure they have a good idea, and some say that its the oxygen that actually changes composition at depth, but no one actually knows. On a survey of 15 Instructors and two course directors not one of them could answer the question correctly.

I raised the question initially because I was having a conversation with a friend of mine who is a vet, and he asked why oxygen was toxic at depth. Thanks to him and all the people who answered my question here I now know and so do 349 others.

If we don't know the answer these kind of questions at our level, how on earth are we supposed to teach newcomers to our sport. And more importantly teach them correctly from the word go.

Thanks again.

Hocky

 

[The Chairman]

Hey Hocky,

The world is filled with information that could be described as apochryphal at best. People have wild theories that they just assume is true, because it was their theory. The search for truths is a life long ambition, and at it's root is a deep seated realisation that you actually know very little. As soon as I stop feeling a need to learn, is the day that I die... spiritually, if not physically.

I have met many instructors who are quite safe under water, but have no concept of the physics involved. Indeed, one instructor thought that coral actually became colorful only at night. When I showed him the quick blurb on color absorption at depth in the basic PADI manual, he looked at me like it must have just been printed there. He still did not understand it, until I made him take a light with us on a day dive and then we did a night dive on the same section. Just too funny. He now considers me an "Einstein", and heck, I never had the heart to set him straight. I guarantee that most instructors DO NOT understand the physiology of OxTox, but they know it exists, and that you should plan your dive to 1.4 ppO2 and NEVER EXCEED 1.6 ppO2. Thats all they really NEED to know, but frankly, I want to know it all; in fact I NEED to know it all. Thats why I am here!!!

Pete from Orlando...

 

[Dr Deco]

Dear Hocky and Pete:

I often tell my Decompression Physiology classes “The more you know, the longer you live.” Mostly this is said in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. I would doubt that an individual would go to the full extent of that knowledge - - it would really be pushing things.

Naturally, in research, we as scientists are expected, and paid, to “push the envelope.” It is where the advanced knowledge and understanding is needed.

I am always warmed, however, by people who share the same interest that I have for the “why” of things. One student once told me, “You can only look at fish for so long.”

[sp] All men by nature have a desire to know. Aristotle, Metaphysics, 4th century B.C.

[sp] A man scatters seed on the ground. He goes to bed and gets up day after day. Through it all, the seed sprouts and grows without his knowing how it happens. Gospel of Mark, 4; 26 - 27.
_________________
Dr. Deco

 

[The Chairman]

Hey Dr Deco & All,

Curiosity is THE Great driving force. Wanting to know How and Why has given us the Einsteins and the DaVincis of the world. Unfortunately, it is not something that can be taught, although it can be instilled. You either have it, or you stare in wonderment at those who do. You can cultivate it in yourself, but you can't be lazy about it... it takes real work to figure truth out of chaos.

This is propbably the ONE thing I have against over-standardization... it squashes creativity and resourcefullness. This in turn, results in a dearth of ingenuity and inovations. They say money can do alot... I think it only pays for people with the "gift" to create and expand their horizons... and ours along with it. No one has a desire to learn and understand just to make a buck. Nope, it takes raw curiosity and a lot of courage.

Kudos to you, for taking the time to instruct us, when there is no "obvious" gain for you. Kudos to all who come here to learn AND to share all about SCUBA, and our underwater world. We all share a certain amount of the same curiosity, that eventually gives way to wonderment. That wonderment just has to be shared... don't it?!?!?!

Pete from Orlando... (waxing a tad philosophical -SORRY-)

 

[Dr Deco]

Pete:

[sp]Thanks for your nice comments. I essentially agree.
[sp]Einstein once said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." :idea:

Dr Deco