Diving accidents

[Joe_Cole]

Thanks for clarifying that. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I heard a few diving rescues on Channel 16 last year and I do remember saying to SWMBO "It's yet another diver. What's going on?", but it was probably just a coincidence that we happened to be on the water when the Mayday was called. More importantly I listened to progress on the radio (the marine equivalent of "rubber necking"?) and the professionalism of the Coastgaurd and the Helicopter pilots was always impressive; and long may it stay like that. I do understand the need for speed meaning most diving "shouts" seem to end up with a helicopter, whereas boaty "shouts" can often be dealt with in different ways.

All the rescue services seem to work on a non-judgemental basis and are interested in saving life first, property second. If they are able to be non-judgemental who are we to be pointing fingers? I'm sure that there are some foolish divers, just as there are foolish boaters, but I'm glad we've got these people to save them. I just hope that I never need to call on them!

We can worry about preventing the accidents later.

 

[Olly]

I'm not sure that the problem is that the Diving Instruction is 'crammed' into short time periods - I felt that re the diver down regs it was very clear. I've just done a Day Skipper Theory this winter and a PADI Open Water Diver last month and the problem as I saw it was that re Diver Down regs they were both singing from different hymn sheets. In my opinion a bit of a sit down around a table with the RYA, BSAC and PADI to agree on co-ordinated regs and a clear understanding and interpretation of them would help.

PS Not one of our 'professional' dive boats had a diver down flag!

 

[duncan]

Think it's more IMO than RYA, and they would probably suggest that the regulations are adaquate and it's the observance that is failing........