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From: gmm@bunker.UUCP (Gregory M. Mandas)
Newsgroups: net.rec.scuba
Subject: Learning to dive the right way
Message-ID: <528@bunker.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Sep-84 16:49:19 EDT
Article-I.D.: bunker.528
Posted: Fri Sep 14 16:49:19 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 25-Sep-84 02:23:56 EDT
Lines: 53

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To anyone learning to dive I would suggest learning from your local
university. This is because Dive shops are in business to make money
and like to turn over classes quickly. This leads to a tendency to
cut out subject matter not required by the certification association.

Your local university must fill an entire semester/quarter with a
quality course with enough class and lab (pool) time to qualify for
credit hours. They are more likely to dive [ :-) ] deeper into
subjects and require more of the student at exam time. This is the 
nature of the university environment. For your own region you need
to look into the situation. I cann't say that universities are
always better, but I feel as a whole they are.

The specific material I am talking about is the medical consequences of
diving. (Some schools include a CPR course.) Diving is full of dangers
if the proper procedures are no followed. Query: Is it common knowledge
that the symptoms of the bends can surface 15 years after the incident
without any prior indication. Is it common knowledge that a study of
the navy dive tables showed that if followed to the letter they may 
bend the average diver in cold water.

I am kind of a snob when it comes to my training because I feel I received
the best and am a safer diver because of it. Allow me to relay two
incidents that point this out.

As an assistant instructor one of our classes was out for their first 
open water dive. (which was the certification test, we did all our 
instruction in the pool) At the lake the same day was an "advanced" 
class from the local dive shop. Several of the shop's advanced students 
were cramping up due to the cold and improper preparation. Without a 
moments hesitation our beginners were preforming open water rescues.

The second incident was in Tobermorey Canada. The day before we arrived
a couple died. The local boat captains were not very interested when we
requested to make the same dive the next day. (110 feet in 34 degree
water to a fully intact ship wreak) After a discussion with the
captain on the procedures and dive plans we were going to follow
he allowed the dive. After watching the first of 10 dive pairs
the captain went up-top and took a nap.

I know this sounds a little high hatted but I fear for divers with
minimal training. There are zillions of ways to get hurt diving.
(Even while not diving trying to cross a street) The best way 
to stay alive is to know what you are up against. Do not skimp
on SCUBA education. It is fun and can be safe.

Greg Mandas          (Do you know where the nearest recompression 
ittvax!bunker! gmm   chamber is and the phone number? Be sure you 
                     supply the quarter in case it's you that needs 
                    to go.)