Do you talk about diving accidents with family and friends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Garth
I would say it out loud but most people around me (loved ones) don't want to hear about cave accidents so i keep my thoughts to myself.
This recent remark by Garth prompted me to contemplate the question of whether it is a good idea to discuss cave diving accidents with friends/family. Until only a year ago I used to share some of my thoughts on recent accidents with my diver wive (not active in cave diving). Instead of supporting my quest for safety improvement and learning, she always freaked out and tried to dissuade me from the sport. It's a purely emotional response that no amount of reasoning can overcome. So, I stopped telling her about the accidents altogether and now keep any discussion to myself and select cave diving friends to spare her and myself the drama.
Come to think about it, people who don't engage in cave diving are probably invariably going to react with "cave diving = suicide" type of emotion when learning about a fatality (with nothing good coming out of it). Heck, as an open water diver I myself was convinced for many years that diving in any overhead was instant suicide. This before I got eased into the sport by a generous mentor with the obligatory shift in perspective. The "overhead=suicide" mentality was being widely drilled by PADI and other agencies to all OW students during my early days as a diver. I suspect that this may have changed in recent years with cenote tour diving getting glamor treatment in the diving media and the "with proper training" bit coming into existence.
At any rate, I am curious to find out where others fall on the subject of sharing information/thoughts on cave accidents with friends and family.
Do you talk about diving accidents with family and friends?
I share. Whats to hide? Its a dangerous sport but friends and family understand I weighed the risk: reward and respect my choice.
Edit: its also a good way to explain how I mitigate the risks whwn I explain ehat led to the fatality and why I do things to avoid increasing risk (ie things like not doing blind jumps)
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Do you talk about diving accidents with family and friends?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
oceancurrent
You are very fortunate to have such understanding friends/family! I come from a family of non-divers/non-pilots who are convinced that any of these activities, even in their most benign form are crazy irresponsible. No amount of reasoning and explaining of risks mitigation has had any effect on their views, so I have long given up. I am fortunate to have a far more understanding spouse. Even she has limits, however.
Dont get me wrong. They think its nuts. But my other hobbies are private pilot, competetive practical shooting and kiteboarding, all of which have inherent risks. Im sure their view is all of my hobbies are nuts, but they know I dont care if they approve or not. But honestly the majority of times I?ve discussed a fatality they?ve learned. Between Carlos? death and the death of rodney?s grandkids, i feel like my family and friends know the importance of proper gas analysis and marking than most cave divers.
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