Reef Fish wrote in response to what Strike wrote in his 'CounterStrike'
column 'Think or Thwim! Is diving safety an oxymoron? ...
*snip*
> In no particular order of importance, but numbered for easy reference
> as these come to my mind, many of them are related (possibly opposite)
> ideas in your article:
>
> 1. Try to stay away as much as possible from the MEANINGLESS LABELS
> and JARGONS and not use them because others do. These are deadly
> enemies to YOUR safety and to any THINKING person. Examples: DIR,
> GUE, Hogarthian, Strokes, etc. If you have something of SUBSTANCE
> to say WITHIN those nebulous labels, just spit out what you have
> to say without relying on the crutch of those religious banners.
I agree completely and don't care a whit about DIR in the context you
describe above... all I care about is DIB Doing It Better. :-) Much
of the fun of diving for me is finding new ways of doing it better... a
better way to pack, a better way to rig my kit, a better way to execute
the dive, and to act in a way so that within the limits of my influence
everyone who dives with me is safe and has fun.
After much reading and seeing it put into practice, I moved over to a
regulator configuration of a long hose primary and a short hose
secondary on a necklace. It made sense to me because it's practical,
not because it's DIR or any other such silly mnemonic.
When I was considering this change, Lee and Mika (on this list) passed
along some great advice and practical experience in response to my
questions -without attitude, without dogma- which was most helpful.
After seeing my implementation of a six foot hose on my primary, my
daughter Danna switched over soon after.
An important kernel for me in what you said is to think and adapt based
solely on a good idea.
> 2. To be SELF-RELIANT. DON'T ever rely on a buddy to be your safety
> sausage. If you're competent to dive only to a depth of 10 feet,
> or you don't feel sufficiently self-reliant at that depth to dive
> SOLO below that depth under ordinary circumstances, then STAY ABOVE
> that depth in ALL dives, and enjoy watching the bubbles of others
> below you.
Every time I try to purge my regulator *under* my 'safety sausage buddy'
she whirls around and either hits me or floods my mask. :-)
> 3. THINK about all the ways you can DIE diving ABOVE 30 feet, in an
> unobstructed over-head environment. Not until you understand the
> dangers at those depths, you are not quite ready to talk about dive
> safety at deeper depths or other environments.
Preparing for a challenge by carefully considering the consequences,
thinking out a response, and exercising appropriate skills is always
better than finding yourself face-to-face with a problem and forced to
rely on luck to pull you through.
> 4. Don't waste you time talking about diving environments in which you
> have NO EXPERIENCE. In particular, if you've never dived below 150
> fsw (for whatever reason), just DON'T talk about it. No amount of
> preaching in the history of mankind ... will you be able to make a
> case that what YOU choose not to do is necessary what EVERYONE ELSE
> shouldn't do. Talk about things you DO have knowledge (books,
> first hand experience, info from reliable sources, etc.), and
> refrain from BS (Bachelor of Science NOT). :-)
...but by all means we should ask questions as a positive part of any
discussion to help everyone seek clear answers. ...like 'What is diving
environment?' :-)
> I am VERY BUSY packing ... so I'll lurk for awhile before considering
> bring out my "club". <BWG> HOWEVER, if you're self-reliant and a
> THINKING person, you need NEVER be concerned or wary about my figurative
> club!
Packing for ChooChoo, are we? :-)
As for your "club", '...the wounds of a friend are faithful' meaning
that the pointed suggestions, corrections, and criticisms of a friend
who cares about your safety and well being is advice to be thankful for
and relied upon.
> Ciao, y'all!
>
> Excellent SCUBA topic to bring up, Strike!
>
> -- Bob.
I agree, an excellent topic.
Best regards,
Russ
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