Searush
Well-Known Member
"fishing" may seem an odd one until you realise that it will include all the people who buy a small dinghy & o/b & then go sea & estuary fishing without anchor, l/j, vhf, oars etc - but do take plenty of booze with them. 
SCUBA diving.... how dangerous?
- Thread starter Romeo
- Start date
colingr
Well-Known Member
Nearly lost it fishing off Chesil Beach when I was a nipper. A bigger wave than expected hit while we were night fishing. Could have turned very nasty.
Not to mention the conger thar chased me around the beach on the same night
I think most people die of boredom whil fishing though
Not to mention the conger thar chased me around the beach on the same night
I think most people die of boredom whil fishing though
bbg
Well-Known Member
One of the technical diving forums that I lurk on has an "In memoriam" section to remember all of the people who have died while diving - some of whom were prolific posters on the very same forum.
I haven't noticed - or thought there is any need for - an "In memoriam" section to this forum.
In answer to the question "is it dangerous", there can only be a relative answer. It is probably more dangerous than sitting in front of a computer tapping keys, and probably less dangerous than high pointing on a snowmobile.
But one thing that should not be forgotten is that the activity takes place in an environment that does not support human life, so when things go wrong they can very easily lead to a fatality in a matter of seconds, which is not the case with most activities.
I still dive and will continue to do so, but within the limits that I am comfortable with.
I haven't noticed - or thought there is any need for - an "In memoriam" section to this forum.
In answer to the question "is it dangerous", there can only be a relative answer. It is probably more dangerous than sitting in front of a computer tapping keys, and probably less dangerous than high pointing on a snowmobile.
But one thing that should not be forgotten is that the activity takes place in an environment that does not support human life, so when things go wrong they can very easily lead to a fatality in a matter of seconds, which is not the case with most activities.
I still dive and will continue to do so, but within the limits that I am comfortable with.
oldsaltoz
Well-Known Member
When living in a remote coastal town in the north West of Oz back in the 70's there was no instructor, but a friend was an avid shell collector, (You could get a permit back then).
The only diving equipment available was a Hookah, we put a 'T' piece in the hose and walked the ribbon reefs, him on side me on the other, him looking shells, me looking for crayfish.
I doubt we ever went deeper than 12 metres but had lots of fun shells and crayfish.
The closest I came to having an accident was when my friend was reaching for a particularly nice and rare shell, just I was ducking under a coral ledge the grab a huge crayfish, He gave an almighty tug on the hose and she parted at the 'T' piece.
We both made it to the surface, he got his shell and I lost the crayfish.
Since then I have used hookahs on many occasions but never SCUBA, never needed one.
As for dangerous, I would have to say I have found it pretty safe but I never go deeper than I can hold a breath to surface with so 12 metres is still my limit.
Hookahs are very handy for cleaning you hull in the marina too, unless you are in the tropics in Oz, then you need another set of eyes in the back of your head to see the salt water crock looking for dinner.
I have no hesitation in recommending anyone to take up diving, the sights will blow your mind.
There are any number of far more dangerous pastimes out there.
.
The only diving equipment available was a Hookah, we put a 'T' piece in the hose and walked the ribbon reefs, him on side me on the other, him looking shells, me looking for crayfish.
I doubt we ever went deeper than 12 metres but had lots of fun shells and crayfish.
The closest I came to having an accident was when my friend was reaching for a particularly nice and rare shell, just I was ducking under a coral ledge the grab a huge crayfish, He gave an almighty tug on the hose and she parted at the 'T' piece.
We both made it to the surface, he got his shell and I lost the crayfish.
Since then I have used hookahs on many occasions but never SCUBA, never needed one.
As for dangerous, I would have to say I have found it pretty safe but I never go deeper than I can hold a breath to surface with so 12 metres is still my limit.
Hookahs are very handy for cleaning you hull in the marina too, unless you are in the tropics in Oz, then you need another set of eyes in the back of your head to see the salt water crock looking for dinner.
I have no hesitation in recommending anyone to take up diving, the sights will blow your mind.
There are any number of far more dangerous pastimes out there.
.
DownWest
Well-Known Member
oldsaltoz;2611803 As for dangerous said:
C
catalac08
Guest
I quite fancied taking up diving as a fun thing to do from the bop but I read that people over 50 (which I am well past) were in substantial danger of heart attacks or coronary thrombosis and should not dive - is this correct?
colingr
Well-Known Member
Absolute bunkum if I may day so. Refer to previous posts re elder divers.
To become qualified you will have to take a medical which should identify if you are at risk. Basically if you are reasonably fit you can dive. A scenic dive to, say, 15m in warmish water is no more streuous than riding a bike.
To become qualified you will have to take a medical which should identify if you are at risk. Basically if you are reasonably fit you can dive. A scenic dive to, say, 15m in warmish water is no more streuous than riding a bike.
A
Alcyone
Guest
Personally I feel that diving is perceived, still, as highly adventurous, and diving incidents consequantly have higher profiles in the media. There is also a 'macho' mentality with some divers, to do with depth, wreck penetration, diving in strong currents or bad weather, and so on. Most 'older' divers such as myself, have realised that's just blatant stupidity.
Get trained, build experience sensibly, and I'd recommend the sport to anyone. It does offer something unique as you can feel and see things you cannot otherwise do, anywhere.
Do a 3 day course in the Read sea and then jump into strong currents, cold dark water and depth off the coast of the UK, and , well.
Stats wise, the figures above (10ish fatalities a year in BSAC) rings a bell, but they include things like heart attacks, which, it could be argued, might have happened anyway.
Get trained, build experience sensibly, and I'd recommend the sport to anyone. It does offer something unique as you can feel and see things you cannot otherwise do, anywhere.
Do a 3 day course in the Read sea and then jump into strong currents, cold dark water and depth off the coast of the UK, and , well.
Stats wise, the figures above (10ish fatalities a year in BSAC) rings a bell, but they include things like heart attacks, which, it could be argued, might have happened anyway.
alan_d
Well-Known Member
It could, perhaps more plausibly, be argued that while the heart attack might have happened anyway the likelyhood of it proving fatal would be greater if it happened while diving.
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
Yes... The training for an Emergency Ascent to the surface teaches you to breathe out saying Aaaaaaahhhhhhh! as you ascend.
The small amount of air in your lungs at 12 metres, (or whatever), expands as you ascend, so you shouldnt run out.
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Alcyone
Guest
I should have given more detail. The case I was thinking of, the guy had a heart attack whilst taking his diving gear out of the boot of his car. True, lifting the bag might have contributed, but still.......
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Alcyone
Guest
The chap who trained me in the 80s was an ex navy diver and submariner. He claims to have done an emergency ascent from a submarine, from over 500 feet, and breathed out all the way to the surface. Actually, he said he screamed all the way to the surface!
I can't corroborate that, but he swore it was true.
minkysailing
Well-Known Member
Following a long career in commercial diving in the Gulf and West Africa with the associated safety rules & regulations imposed by the HSE and company procedures etc, I would suggest that 'Sport Diving' is dangerious due to the lack of controls and lack of experience required before you can dive. More experienced sport divers will no doubt jump up and protest at this point, but once again I suggest that everything from equipment maintenance to lack of control in the dive site (unlike commercial operations no surface cover is required, no communications, no real back-up air supply, no control over surface craft operating the area of the dive etc) are contributing factors.
If you choose to take up diving I plead with you to get trained and dive to a depth that suits your experience and that of your buddy. I have seen too many deaths and had to recover too many dead divers....
If you choose to take up diving I plead with you to get trained and dive to a depth that suits your experience and that of your buddy. I have seen too many deaths and had to recover too many dead divers....
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Alcyone
Guest
Well, if you put it that way, every sport is dangerous.
colingr
Well-Known Member
Probably true. There was (most likely still is) a training tank in Pompey somewhere where they practive submarine escapes. We went there as a club years ago to watch them train. Basically they endter through a lock at the bottom and ascend as though they've come out of a sub. Fascinating to watch. They had divers stationed on the way up to "encourage" the escapee to breathe out, the usiual method being a sharp blow to the stomach!
We also had a trip round the Marchwood training base where they teach Royal Engineer divers to work in poor vis. Using the tethered full face kit in an oily tank was quite an experience. We also got to play with the bolt guns that they use to fit repair patches to the sides of ships. Great day out.
D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
There is a WWII British sub sunk in the med; very deep water. A survivor claimed he sat in a compartment with a colleague on the sunk sub.
The survivor further claimed that they drank some alcohol, then flooded the compartment and popped out to the surface. He was rescued and told his story but no one believed him due to the depth and made up all sorts of reasons about how he got there.
Many years later the sub was found very deep and the divers discovered an open hatch, a skeleton and the bottle. His story was proved.
I dont do the story any justice and their was a programme on TV about it few years ago. The sub is of course, now an official war grave.
The survivor further claimed that they drank some alcohol, then flooded the compartment and popped out to the surface. He was rescued and told his story but no one believed him due to the depth and made up all sorts of reasons about how he got there.
Many years later the sub was found very deep and the divers discovered an open hatch, a skeleton and the bottle. His story was proved.
I dont do the story any justice and their was a programme on TV about it few years ago. The sub is of course, now an official war grave.
GarethW
New Member
My club had a gent who was 60 learn to dive about 5 years ago, he was a former chief engineer on a merchant ship. He was very sensible and knew his limits, would get a trolley to carry his kit about etc.........
He died recently from heart failure (not diving related), however he got a lot from his diving and was great to dive with.
Like anything there is a risk in an adventurous hobby.
GarethW
New Member
As one of those sports divers, I really really think you are wrong. There are many thousands more sport divers in the Uk than commercial.
I agree with your comments about proper training and know your limits though.
GarethW
New Member
Medicals were done away with about 8 years ago.
Basically you have a self declaration form, if you tick any of the boxes then you need to get a specialist medical done by a diving doctor.
Mush better than the old GP medicals which did little but provide an extra source of income for the GP practice.
Romeo
Well-Known Member
I wonder if my original perception which started this thread was a bit skewed by the fact I live in Scotland. If there are around 17 UK deaths annually then the fact that I am aware of 5 so far in Scotland this year may be a bit disproportionate: I know of three in the sound of Mull in April and May, one in L Sunart in August and now this one in the Forth. All very tragic. It does seem to be a grwoth activity round here. Perhpas the RNLI will start to take an interest.