Coastguard rescue BBC. Is WZ a divers taxi?

2004 reported incidents rose from 409 to 498 and fatalities from 11 to 25. Worst for 30 yrs and if you exclude the unusual 1972/3 figures, worst since data recorded ... most at sea ... usual cause is failing to follow safe working practice. Was surprised on July bank holiday last year, that all three calls I heard were for uncontrolled ascent >30mtrs.
 
Hey, I was about to make the same point after reading another thread. You got there first.

I thought that the stats showed that it was us raggies that were always calling on the CG.

I think that the prog is doing wonders for the anti-diving lobby.

W
 
Re: Don\'t shoot the messenger!

I believe your last paragraph is the key to the increased calls/traffic.

Back to the start of the thread - is this a true reflection of the use of WB - probably yes; but tempered with a lack of scale. You don't get to see how many people are quietly goign about their water borne enjoyment without the need for the rescue services.
Certainly seems a better reflection of reality than the poor Lifeboat series screened in the South only last year.
 
Re: Safety Sausage

I made a padi course, as i wanted to dive around the boat,free my anchor if neccassary-which ive as yet never had to dive to do!
I was always told to dive with a partner. When i was learning we were taken below 20 meters as we were with a groupe of non learners at 27meters my patner and i indicated we would wait up at 20 meters.
On that dive a seperate groupe of germans had a problem they were down at more than 40meters although they only had it turned out the same certificate as i had which is only good to 20meters with good reason!
As we came up we saw air bottles suspended below the other dive boat, these were for the divers who hadent enough air for their deep dive and nor it seems did they have enough time to decompress
I think is easy to imagin you can dive like a proffesional after a year of so of regular diving, its then mistakes are made, ?

I had no idea there was anything other than a PADI certificate? what is the other one???
 
Is WZ a divers taxi? Convenience v Self-reliance syndrome?

Most recent programme showed a Diver being picked up with suspected 'Bends' - Winchman commented that in this situation, the Diver should be kept horizontal but in 90% of cases they attended, was always sat-up, making their condition worse. If this is true, then surely the Divemaster (presumably someone with experience) should have knowledge of this! Or is this not part of the training?

On a yottie note, what about the MAYDAY a few episodes ago for a finger injury (albeit the top cut off by anchor chain) - this shout is for "grave & imminent danger" & should have been a PAN-PAN (Urgency) surely.

Both examples of how we all seem to expect outside assistance 'on-tap', instead of self reliance in our chosen recreation. Is this now a case of all being insured in order to pay for this eventuality.

Many subscribe to Sea Start 'just in case', even those who do make sure their engines are serviced & always have topped up fuel tanks, so this mentality (convenience v self-reliance) will seemingly persist.

Maybe WZ & RNLI should both start repainting their 'vehicles' AA yellow (they did once claim to be the 4th Emergency service).
 
Re: Charging gives people Rights

I suspect that most people who shout "Mayday" consider themselves out of their depth with a given situation. I further suspect that, should it be possible for the RNLI/CG to charge or to offer a service based membership arrangement, that service calls would increase exponentially. As would complaints and customer service issues.
 
Re: Charging gives people Rights

I believe the French lifeboat service charges for call-outs, which presumably get paid by insurers normally. There was an article in one of the Magazines a while back, about somebody going to the assistance of a small French sailing boat in difficulties off the Cherbourg peninsula. The crew of the boat in trouble were insistent that their helpers should not call the lifeboat out, even to the extent of expecting their helpers to endanger their own craft. The author of the article attributed this to a wish not to incur costly fees.

Food for thought.........
 
Re: Is WZ a divers taxi? Convenience v Self-reliance syndrome?

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe WZ & RNLI should both start repainting their 'vehicles' AA yellow (they did once claim to be the 4th Emergency service).

[/ QUOTE ]

Check out the RAF paraffin budgies ...And yes, following this AA ad campaign, IIRC Dover lifeboat was tasked to a vehicle in the water off a pier. Fax was sent to AA office requesting attendance...carburettor believed to be flooded..hehehe...
 
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