Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: techdiver

Message Display

You certify them the same way you certify anyone else. If they can use 
the rebreather properly and pass a good written exam, then they pass the 
course. If they can't and don't, then they don't pass the course. They 
don'y get their money back and they get the opportunity to take the 
course again by paying the fee. My problem with your scenario is that the 
student had problems with using air with the BMD rebreather and became 
hypoxic. My question is how come we breath air now and have no problems 
becoming hypoxic. How come open circuit divers don't become hypoxic 
breathing air. If you mean that the unit did not supply make-up O2 to the 
air that was being rebreathed when it went lower than 16% or so, then I 
would I would say that the "instructor" allowing the diver to use the 
unit in that fashion was an idiot and had no concept of the rebreather as 
life support. Further, if that was the case and the only thing expected 
was "a little discomfort", then the "instructor" ought to be publically 
stoned with big hard rocks. If that were the case then the question is 
not about uncertifiable students but what to do with completely 
incompetent instructors.

On Mon, 31 Jul 1995, Dan Volker wrote:

> Many of you will be aware that something happened on a BMD rebreather a 
> short while ago. What actually happened is less of an issue than the 
> scenario that has now been created. 
> 
> What happened was that a rebreather student in a shallow  pool session, was 
> purposely using air, with the knowledge that this would lead to hypoxic  
> symtoms.  The instructor in question wanted this person to understand more 
> clearly the importance of gas physics. When the student began to have 
> swimming difficulty (this was not expected, discomfort was expected) he was 
> immediately pulled up by the instructor, and was fine. The short story on 
> this then is that someone wants their money back, because the rebreather is 
> harder to learn and use than they thought it would be. 
> Several people may argue that this pool training was not proper , and that 
> the student should have been walking around on the sidewalk with the unit 
> on, for the hypoxia experience. Lets talk about this later.
> 
> Without going into detail about specifics (which could effect either party 
> in court), the issue is:
> A manufacturer sells a rebreather to someone who can not or will not study 
> and learn material basic to deep diving and gas physics. Further, the person 
> in question, while certified as a diver, has NO bouyancy skills with single 
> or double tanks, and after over a week has made no progress in physical 
> skills or attitude. This person expects to be given a card entitling them to 
> dive deep wrecks with a rebreather, at the conclusion of their 
> vacation/training.
> How can the tech diving industry prevent a NON-TRAINABLE diver from buying a 
> rebreather, and then trying to get the certification???
> 
> My first thought was that any one who wanted to purchase a rebreather would 
> have to complete nitrox, deepair, tech nitrox and trimix (or equivalent 
> advanced training) to guarantee that this person could be fit to dive a 
> rebreather. This would spare people who should not become rebreather divers 
> from spending $7000 to $20,000 on units they can never learn to use, and 
> never be allowed to use...These people DO NEED to be protected.
> Right now, a "never-ever" could spend a small fortune on a  rebreather and 
> then attempt to get certified. Many manufacturers will require 2/3  money to 
> be paid, long before the "new student" receives the unit or their advanced 
> training. The instructor which is frequently chosen AFTER the purchase, is 
> then placed in the position that they either train this person, or this 
> person loses a fortune in their rebreather investment and with no recourse.
>  How can you train a person who doesn't take their training seriously? How 
> can you train a person not competent intellectually to learn the gas 
> physics? What do you do if they have come all the way from accross the 
> country or the world to learn the use of this new investment?  And what if 
> you know after three or four days, that this person will die on whatever 
> system you put them on if the eposure is far beyond recreational in
complexity?
> 
> Not everyone can or should be a technical diver. Not everyone can or should 
> use a rebreather. Considering the increased complexity level of the 
> rebreather, and the big investment, I think the Tech Diver list needs to 
> agree on some standards to force on the industry, before a real incident
occurs.
> Anyone have some ideas?
> Dan
> 
> Dan Volker
> 407-683-3592
> 
> --
> Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@terra.net'.
> Send subscription/archive requests to `techdiver-request@terra.net'.
> 

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]