Poe Lim wrote:

> > I do wish, however, that they had done a better job of teaching risk
recognition, but, for
> > the life of me, can't think of a suitable way to do this relative to
narcosis risk.

> Put the trainee into a chamber, and take them down; this was a very
> interesting experience, as it really demonstrated the difference between
> people, and how easily affected some people were, as well as how little
> control they had over their actions. Or just use nitrous oxide on someone.

No sooner did I state the problem than someone solved it.  Nice job, Poe.

I like the idea of running new divers through a chamber trip to a depth that
makes narcosis is undeniable.  I like the idea of doing it three times even
better.  The first chamber ride could be to ensure everyone experiences
narcosis, with motor and thinking skill challanges done at the deepest
point.  The second ride could focus on getting each diver to identify the
point at which he is sufficiently impaired to be a risk to himself.  The
third trip would serve to demonstrate that the point where risk becomes too
high doesn't happen at the same place every time.

Unfortunately, in this money centered world of ours, the cost of such an
effective training tool makes it very unlikely that this process will ever
be implemented unless, of course, the insurance companies can be convinced
that money spent today to support better training translates to even more
money not spent on tomorrow's accident claims.  Until then, don't mention
this to the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety department unless you're
ready to pay to comply with the new Code of Practice that will surely
follow.

Lee