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In a message dated 8/6/98 2:56:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, wwm@sa*.ne* writes: >The boat captain is the last line of defense against self destructive >stupidity and dangerous risk fraught practices. >Do not under >any circumstances accept only training agency standards as being >sufficient > You must be your own filter. (See WKPP.org website for gear > rigging information) Does this mean that a Capt. then has assumed the liability that a certifcation agency/Instructor does? I feel that if you make the Captain "in-charge", then he assumes ALL liability, not something that he/she is really able to do. The agency's mission is to insure correct training and adherence to training standards. In the past two accidents in Florida, the Captain would have to assume that an instructor is capable of the trip (Andre right or wrong had been doing it for awhile...). Personal responsibility is what we lack in the US...where someone can sue McDonalds for spilling hot coffee in their lap and parents can sue because a hot french fry burns their kids leg.... The training is being done wrong, that is the major problem...it is not to strict enough standards, f 'd up gear configurations, "personal choice" etc THAT _is the problem_. I have Captains that take us out to wrecks they have no idea about, they have to trust US...that we are capable of doing the dive, and are properly equipped/configured. If they step in and limit our dives, then they become liable. In many cases, whether good or bad, they are not trained to the same level as the divers doing the dives. I have no doubt there are quite a few Capt's that do drops on "Tech" wrecks that they are not capable diving. That does not mean that they are not capable of providing the support necessary for a safe/fun dive. I have great respect for what you have done in the WKPP, your guidance in the past has caused me make effective and safety enhancing changes in the configuration that I dive with. I know that I am MUCH safer then I was 6 months ago...but that is up to me. I think that your idea of the Capt as final authority is flawed placing the responsibility on the wrong person. Safe Diving! Sean Cary -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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