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The "debate" re Captain Janet and Tony Mofatone's gear aside, I've seen no comments on the even more "basic" problems in the article. Remember, the article was on a major news outlet and directed towards the non-diving public, the people who have no concept of diving as a recreation or a serious persuit, and the same people who want to "protect" us from ourselves. Tom Mount is referred to as "Dave" Mount. A minor point, but reflective of sloppy reporting. But the rest is serious, IMHO. Remember, article is refering to a dive on the San Diego on air. Note the subheading of the article is "When Air Becomes Lethal" before the parts that I refer to below. Article says "...weight of water at more than 20 feet deep compresses the oxygen after it enters the body". Obviously, all gasses begin to "compress" at any additional pressure (depth). And it is not "after it enters the body" .. Article then says, in the next sentence, "That oxygen density, in turn, wreaks havoc on the human nervous system and can lead to unconsciousness and eventually death". Terrible misinformation, implying O2 toxicity risk on air at 20 FSW!!!!! Information in the article saying that O2 is "wrecking havoc" and implying this begins on air at 20 FSW is irresponsible at best. Next paragraph says "Nitrogen, which makes up about 21% of the air we breathe...." is again obviously wrong. Writer is confusing nitrogen with oxygen, essentially reversing the percentages. Or is she? Maybe that's why she implied O2 risk at 20FSW? Get it right ABC!!!!!!! The public is reading! No excuse for this type of stuff. Next paragraph gives a description of a risk of AGE (arterial gas embolism) but calls it "the bends". Both are forms of DCI (decompression illness). but "bends" is a separate manifestation from AGE. When such serious topics are broached, ABC must at least endevor get some of the basic science reasonably right!!!!! Author then goes on to say "As Bielenda (refering to Captain Steve Belinda, owner of of the Wahoo) points out, underwater wrecks are nothing more than a tangle of lines and rotting structures that present a deadly maze to divers." Do you really think Steve said it that way, that wreck are nothing more than a deadly maze. No way!!!! For those of you who don't dive in the Northeast, the San Diego is a very plesant, safe dive, probably the most popular wreck dive in the Long Island area. Even suitable for novices at its shallower parts. Keel (wreck is upside down) is at less than 70 FSW. Note the next entire subhead of article referencing to "cowboy divers", divers not monitoring gas supply, divers with cardiac problems, etc. No wonder so many of those without any knowledge think diving is akin to a suicide risk! (check your life insurance premiums if you admit to being active diver). Without any statistics to back me up (pure speculation), I wouldn't be suprised it the injury rate in recreational softball is far higher than that in diving. Even serious injuries. This article, aside from "tech issues", really bothers me because one would expect a MAJOR news outlet like ABC News to be far more careful. These kinds of inaccurate descriptions can lead to a further bad public perception of divers and diving, especially wreck diving. Why do I care about this bovine scatology (thank you General) in the article ? Well, bad perceptions of divers and diving safety can ultimately lead to "big brotherism" in the form of regulation, lisencing, fees, and eventual stilting and restriction of our sport. Almost every article I see in mainstream media, including this one, speaks of deaths while diving, using Doria style examples of awful preparation (if any at all) and poor technique. Write ABC if you agree. -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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