Please help us to prevent an accident in the DR

[cavedivingwoman]

That is actually not a bad idea, but they all know us though so it would not work.
The dive shops in question are far from struggling little shops they a full on five star PADi facilities that own big dive boats and cater to the big Dominicus hotels and resorts.

How about showing them Lamar's nice little film "A Deceptively Easy Way to Die?" I know of a few OW instructors who routinely show it to their OW students (particularly the "advanced" class).

[phillip1]

We did and I guess they think the rules do not apply to them.
Part of the problem, other than a blatant disregard for safety and arrogance, is that El Chicho does not look dangerous, big tunnels, white decorations everywhere, not much silt, shallow depths, if it looked dark and scary they probably would not take "tours" in there at all.
This makes the situation even worse as untrained OW clients who know absolutely nothing about cave diving end up thinking it's safe and, as in Lamar's warning video, they find the cave is not a dark and scary place.
This makes our repeated warnings and safety message that much more difficult for LDS's and instructors to take seriously, hopefully we will get them to understand BEFORE someone gets killed and not after.

[mag3]

We did and I guess they think the rules do not apply to them.
Part of the problem, other than a blatant disregard for safety and arrogance, is that El Chicho does not look dangerous, big tunnels, white decorations everywhere, not much silt, shallow depths, if it looked dark and scary they probably would not take "tours" in there at all.
This makes the situation even worse as untrained OW clients who know absolutely nothing about cave diving end up thinking it's safe and, as in Lamar's warning video, they find the cave is not a dark and scary place.
This makes our repeated warnings and safety message that much more difficult for LDS's and instructors to take seriously, hopefully we will get them to understand BEFORE someone gets killed and not after.

God forbid it should ever happen, but, just out of curiosity, what do you think the reaction of those LDSs would be if there were a fatality in that cave, on their watch? Do you think it would change their minds, or is there simply no changing them, no matter what happens?

[Neptuno]

yes, something will happen, caves locked for everyone in the park

[RETIRED 11]

As a Cavern card holder, working toward Intro and beyond. I feel my 2 cents may not count for much.But having said that, if you are at the stage I am at and you believe that you can safely navigate these enviornments (I do own all the neccessary equipment) without proper training and practice, you are an IDIOT. Do these people have no sense of personal preservation? I am fortunate in the fact that I have experienced cave divers and instructors to guide me and advise, I think somewhere in the transition from OW to overhead (If your synapses are firing) you reach the realisation that this is a severe enviornment. You can die ... in fact many "Experienced" divers die each year.
I got OW certified almost on a whim... at that point, anyone who would venture into a cave in my opinion had some serious mental disorder. I got bitten by the bug ... but I fully intend to come home from every dive. I don't believe that this sport should be a D**K measuring stick.I may attain "Full Cave" in the next year or next 5 years.. who cares??? but whatever it takes... I will do my utmost to go home from every dive trip. Many years ago an old friend who had lived to a ripe old age told me..
""Never outdrive your headlights" That applies here too.
Dive Safe

[phillip1]

That is a great post and with you permission I would like to print it and have the owner of the dive shop read it along with the letter we will be bringing.
Thanks.

[adam0321]

although never from a cave, I have been apart of numerious body recoveries while deployed in Iraq. When a tank or truck would hit an IED of go into a river. the men in them wearing heavy body armor and secured behind doors weighing around 3oolbs rarely made it out. We video taped one of our recoveries as a traing and awareness tool for unit commanders. the video tape was strong enough and moving enough to make davision commanders and regimental combat team leaders(full bird colnels and generals) alter there routes and take more considerations to stay away from the waters and rivers. Now if a tape can make combat leaders in war time alter there plans, just think what it could do to some recreational divers. Iknow the tapes are out there

[FW]

... I am fortunate in the fact that I have experienced cave divers and instructors to guide me and advise,...

This is the real problem. The poor unsuspecting tourist divers THINK they have "experienced cave divers and instructors" guiding them....

[Neptuno]

that is the thing, is not a local problem is the tourist the ones in danger, they don't see the videos, well... we need to promote a bit more the site on the web I guess

[RETIRED 11]

That is a great post and with you permission I would like to print it and have the owner of the dive shop read it along with the letter we will be bringing.
Thanks.

If you are referring to me philip? by all means be my guest. Hope it can help