In Reply to: Scuba Training posted by Devil's Advocate on November 10, 2009 at 05:03:32:

You make a valid point, or as Forest Gump’s mother told him “stupid is as stupid does”. If people want to be stupid they certainly have that right.

Unfortunately, those buger-eaters will sue thanks to armies of suit-happy lawyers and moronic juries. It’s just a matter of time before the standard waiver will be successfully challenged and tossed out as defense. Case in point is a recent NY-court ruling impacting Little League – though the kid was trained on how to slide (and parents signed waivers, etc.), his mom successfully sued the coach for $125K because her little angel got hurt…. sliding to plate.

Now think about this: LA County has a ‘scuba ordinance’… too few “instructors” know about it or enforce it. Plus the County probably doesn’t even remember it has one. Someday a slick lawyer will ask the very valid question: “was the deceased diver trained in accordance with it?” Regardless of the agencies’ standards, waivers, and common sense, all the jury has to say is ‘no’. Bingo – estate gets a handsome reward for poor training. Something all instructors need to think about… why do they train people who can’t swim a measly 200 yards and 50 feet underwater?

So why do we care?

Well, insurance premiums will go up and fewer boats will decide to continue in this line of work (plus taking a party boat of fishermen out provides a bigger take with less risk). Someday beaches will close to such a ‘dangerous’ sport – not that I see many beach divers these days anyway after their first OW checkout dive.

Plus there is the human side concern that we see poorly trained divers (or have to put up with them). Or we read about the ab diver deaths up North – generally people who have no clue about the demands of NorCal diving.

But I guess people can be stupid.

• LA County Ordinance 11215

• swimming test Chris 09:58:53 11/10/09 (1)
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