Posted by tleemay on November 01, 2000 at 15:28:20:
In Reply to: Re: What's to argue? posted by Frank, AADIVER, Farmer on October 31, 2000 at 22:03:13:
My point was that, once again, when pushing the
extremes of the limits of safely doing air as an
example, it requires more education and understanding
of what you are getting into. That's all, nothing
more. PHD cert on the wall - no. Understanding
enough to get you through the dive without getting
killed - yes. Still the point is, not just any
diver off the street has this knowlege until they
seek it out. That's where the extended training
process come in.
As far as disposable income, from the way you have
described your kit in a recent thread, you carry
much more gear than I and must have more $ invested.
But in reality, how much $ I spend on my diving
habit is of no concern of yours or anyone elses.
The same goes for you and what you have invested,
it no ones business but yours. I mean afterall,
they are not paying for the equipment, are they?
Higher socio-econimic standing in the community?
No way. My neighbors have no idea what I do
underwater, nor do they care. The only time my
social status is lifted by me being a diver is when
someone calls me to pull their outboard motor out
of the lake they dropped it in... then I'm
everyone's friend.
As far as seeing and experiencing; the Caissons
are a beautiful dive, but that near 175' bottom is
beyond most sport divers reach safely. The Tuna
Clipper is in the -165' range, again a cool dive.
For most in your wreck divers club, brass on that
wreck is a premium, or so Kevin tells me. The
Sacramento, Triple Crown, etc. All dives well
beyond -100' that require a particular gas or
combination of gasses to be used to dive them
safely. The Brother Johnathan is an excellent
example. Historically significant artifacts
are on the wreck (even after certain persons
salvaged the more valuables off). There are
still personal artifacts there to be found.
Beyond the wrecks and structures, there are the
deep pinnacles that are the most pristine and
pretty much untouched sites in the world for the
more advanced diver to visit. The Matterhorn,
Osborne and Tanner Banks, Farmer's Banks (well
how about that!) are just a few that get only a
handful of divers on them only a couple days
of the year. Picture Purple Californica the size
of large motorcycles. Picture in your mind
pleagics that are so awesome that you have to
stop and stare. There's much more to diving to
the deeper depths than wrecks and historical
artifact collecting. That may be fine for you,
and no one is trying to tell you otherwise what's
good for Frank, but for others there are those
things and more to look forward to.