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On Wed, 26 Jun 1996, George Irvine (disguised poorly as Tom Mount) wrote:

>  Peter, how can you post this crap on here?

George, I posted it because it came to me, not just as Bret Gilliam
writing his own opinion, but signed CEO, Uwatec USA "responsible for
Uwatec product in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean". While I don't
expect anyone individually to take responsibility for his writings, Bret
is representing both the dive industry and its associated professional
organizations. (...and yes I *do* recall the high esteem you hold for the
dive training organizations ;-) Most sport divers, like myself believe that
while there are differences among the various training agencies, it's more
based on geography and personalities than profound differences in basic
physics and safety.

Bret has published these opinions about O2 toxicity in a nationally read
sport diver newsletter "UnderCurrent", where his opinion was the *only*
one expressed. My guess is that the circulation of UnderCurrent is bigger
than the techdiver thread; I (hope) could be wrong. Its readership is
certainly less informed and so more prone to believe the pronouncements of
"an industry spokesman".

Second, he has included all other "tech agency"/organizations as sharing
his opinion.  At least the other training organizations could write to the
newsletter and say he doesn't represent them.

Besides, I left the real *crap* in the letter out of the post: the
expletives and among other crazy stuff, he's convinced that I am plotting
to sabotage his relationship with Uwatec/Drager

>   Pete, you can not teach a pig to sing, and you can not fix stupid.

I gave up choral when my voice broke, but I still ham it up. I could care
less about changing Bret's views. However, I think that he *will*
influence others, some who have taken other agencies courses, maybe even
some who teach them, because he is very well known and, as he points out,
has 30 years diving experience. Heck Bret wrote a book with Tom Mount and
another with Robert von Maier both of which I bought, (I suspect
along with many other divers) which could be interpreted as saying the
same thing.

Bret says, with undeniable accuracy, that my opinions are inconsequential.
But if what he advises carries an additional risk beyond the accepted
practice, then at least that scientific information should be presented
when his opinions are published, so that divers may choose in an informed
manner.  He's a "name" in your field. If what he's saying is wrong, then
other "greats" in the know should call him on it.

...and yes, I have written to the editor of Undercurrent.

-ph

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