Posted by barney on August 22, 2000 at 21:22:47:
In Reply to: Re: What is DIR?? posted by Ken Kurtis on August 21, 2000 at 23:12:22:
Ken wrote>
Given that we've had a couple of local deaths recently . . .
And Fred's (same ocean same day) buddy replies…
Statistically and factually irrelevant to the point.
Ken wrote>
And give that it's the ones with the highest bravado and testosterone
that we usually end up worrying about/rescuing the most . . .
And Fred's (same ocean same day buddy) replies…
Ambiguous… I do not know what group or type "highest bravado and
testosterone" implies. Males, young, old, experienced, inexperienced? I
will assume experienced guys and girls cuz you should not be diving on
the edge if you have not taken your baby steps and learned from your
experiences. Also ambiguous is "we" because it does not include me 'cause
I do not worry so much over the experienced diver as you might be implying,
but I'm concerned more with the newbys. The ones with 60 dives going on
advanced, night, wreck, cave, nitrox, master, deep, diver with
certifications by CD and scantron. Wam bam thank you mam, what is your
credit card number and I will email your certificate in a New York
minute divers. These divers, and not all and not exclusive, don't have
the experience to know their limitations. Certification fastrack is
equal to a licensing a minor to drive. Some will make it some will not.
From my experience this were I have seen the deaths and rescues occur.
Secondary to that would be the divers with rental gear or gear wreaking
of mothballs. As a dive master if this is not where your prime concerns
are, well….we come from a different school of hard knocks apparently.
Ken wrote>
Perhaps, Fred, you'd like to rephrase some of your thoughts or at least
reveal that they were said tongue-in-cheek (because there are plenty of
divers out there who dive like you advocate).
And Fred's (same ocean same day) buddy replies…
I have to side with Fred although I have never been there before. Some
of what he said sounds right on some appears to make you think, doesn't
it? I think diving is an adventure and I frame that with what my
limitations are… mentally and physically. If one hasn't acquired the
tools handle the pressure, then I would suggest staying on the bunny,
intermediate, or advanced slopes - for whatever ride you are skilled at.
The "outs of bounds" runs are definitely at your own risk or peril. The
Phil Mahers never got to the Olympics by not pushing the envelope. And
conversely many others had to be carried, dragged, or boxed up, off the
slopes trying to get there. So knowing your limitations is the key.
Understand, that your limitations are not the same as others or mine.
Don't tell me I can't dive past 130 when my buddy does well over 200 on
air. Don't tell me I am going to die or get bent if I break some rules.
I have seen too many bent survivors and victims to realize sh$& happens
whether you follow the rules or not. The consequences are never fair or
equal. I have seen snorklers drown and others slip and break their necks
on a puddle of water. There isn't a well defined line of what is safe
what is not. We can only argue what is safer, what thrills you more,
what is probably more likely to kill you. But if you are worried about
the likes of me then you are focused in the wrong direction. There are
less of me "out of bounds" and many more out practicing the basics on
the advance runs. We'll all succeed to the level of our own
incompetence. If we were all really smart we would not have made diving
our career or hobby.
Ken wrote>
However, if this is what you REALLY belive, and the way you REALLY dive,
I'll donate the body bag and offer to console your future widow when you
become a statistic. (And if you're serious, I really hope you're not
leavbing behind any kids.)
And Fred's (same ocean same day) buddy replies…
Oh keep it clean, this is just a BBS (benign bull sh$&) not a personal
attack to you or anybody else. Make your donations to the chamber. No
one knows who will go there next.
Ken wrote>
There may be issues on which Michael Kane and I disagree on the
specifics, but we are both committed to dive safety because neither one
of us feels like pulling another dead body from the ocean and we'll both
do whatever we can to ensure that no one else has to either. (Although
both Michael and I know that it's a futile task. Some of you are just
hell-bent on dangerous practices that will enventually catch up with
you.)
And Fred's (same ocean same day) buddy replies…
Replace "will" with "may" and then you have a point. I will only counter
to you with "The unexperienced life is not worth living."