At 11:30 19/03/01 +1100, Strike wrote:

>Sadly the skills and dedication rarely, if ever, receive the
>accolades that they deserve.  :-(

To tell you the truth, I was really impressed by the police's effort, this
time, to enable us to conduct a three days training session.  They did
raise the budget for equipment like reels, buoys, ropes etc., food and
lodging for the team and were very helpful.  We felt that we were really
appreciated for the dedication, this time.

>>       --  Report # 2  --

>The fact that they decided on a refresher course is to their
>credit.

Not quite accurate in Israel.  We havd a diving law (not that I really like
it but this is the way it is) and if you don't have a signed logbook for
dives in the past 6 months, you have to do a refresher.  Before anybody
jumps, I know, logbooks can be faked, but it is still the law.

>That the Instructor 'signed them off' on the course, it seems
>to me, highlights flaws in the system.

For sure.  The good and reliable instructors don't sign off a refresher, if
they feel that the diver is a menace to himself and/or his buddy.  I know,
I didn't.  This one here made a terrible mistake IMO.

>Being a little apprehensive is no bad thing in diving.

Exactly.  The point is that the instructor should have encouraged Joe to
skip the dive.  If someone doesn't feel that the dive is "right" he should
abort it by all means.

>Admitting to being scared is a brave thing to do!

I second that!

>With an apprehensive diver, the Instructor should be
>alongside.  In poor visibility that's even more important.
> And for somebody who's confessed to being scared ...?

You're right of course.  What a tragic mistake!

>Being found with the weight belt still in place - even with
>'experienced' divers - is so common that it almost beggars
>belief.  It does, however, highlight the fact that many skills
>are not taught to the point where they become second nature

What can I say.  So true.  I had to drop divers' belts for them to prevent
them from drowning, more than I care to remember.  I wonder why this skill
is not taught over and over again.

>In that regard discussing the mistakes serves as a useful
>reminder of our own shortcomings. :-)

O.K., we did :-)


Regards,

                   Kuty