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While attending the Tek conference last week and listening to several
presentations I have come to realize that the certifying agencies are not
setting the standard. 
Several presenters made mention of one person in their lectures - especially
when making observations about equipment, training standards, procedures and
configurations. 

There are many, but it would seem from the presentations that there is only
one person out there setting the standard - and that is George Irvine. Say
what you will, and personalities aside, it was not unusaul to hear people
saying such things as "dedication" "professionalism" and "passion" when
talking about George. Whenever a presenter discussed a part of one of their
operations that was beyond accepted safety limits or pushing the envelope on
air, or running high ppO2s, then it was done with the observation that this
was in known violation of the standards that George is so  passionately
trying to demonstrate to the industry.

Whatever your feelings about George and the WKPP procedures, and whether you
admit it or not, you know he is right. If for no other reason than they are
doing further, deeper and faster - and as safe as any such endeavor can be.

I for one am taking much of what George has to say and intergrating it into
extended search and recovery diving procedures. And if tek diving in general
is to become a major force within the diving community, we must all adopt
standards and practices that can be defended with not just science and theory
but also experience under real-world conditions. 

So - Do it right or don't do it at all. My team, and recovery teams like
mine, are sick of recovering the bodies of strokes and wanna-bees.

PS - and if you can't make it over to George's gym - we can accomodate you in
LA.

Mark Lonsdale
S.T.T.U. - Training & Studies
Training Coordinator / Diver  - LA Sheriff's dive team
SpecOps coordinator NASAR Diving & Water Rescue Committee
UCLA Diving Instructor / Instructor Trainer
Author of SRT DIVER
Ex commercial mixed gas / saturation diver.   

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