Posted by Clinton Bauder on April 12, 2000 at 12:00:47:
In Reply to: Re: Tech diving posted by MHK on April 12, 2000 at 10:55:17:
Mike,
Fair enough. I think we share a common goal here and that is making sure that people who are doing more aggressive diving are getting proper training and not doing it for the wrong reasons. I like to go deep because I see things there that I can't see at 110 like Hexactinella sponges or forests of red gorgonians. I also like the training as it has improved my skills immensely.
My concern with the terminology is that there is a fine line between making this kind of diving acceptable to the training and insurance agencies and between making it fashionable which would be dangerous. People should be scared enough by it seek proper training or abstain altogether. They certainly shouldn't dive deep so that they can look cool with their "Tech Diver Specialty" patch sewn on their jacket. If the market grows too much then it will attract people who will get themselves hurt, such as what has happened on some of the East Coast wrecks.
Safe diving,
Clinton