Best way to get OW divers out of the cave?

[TracyN]

Hey all, I ran into a situation at Ginnie today where two OW divers were trying to enter the cave. The snorkels and dangling SPG's gave them away. At first they were at the cavern entrance but then they moved further in and were sitting down in the cavern blocking the exit watching me do deco. I moved out of the cavern and they were still sitting there waiting for me to leave and they continued to sit there while another team was exiting. When they thought all the cave divers had left on came the lights and down they went. I flashed them with my light, shook my finger in a "no no' type fashion and gave them the signal for up. They ignored me so I made sure I highlighted the grim reaper sign with my light. At that point I was preparing to follow them down into the cave. By that time another team was making their exit and I think they succeeded in flushing them out. Once I got out I told the cave police(Rick) and he went to look for them.

Was this the best way to handle this situation? I certainly wasn't going to leave them down there and I didn't feel a more forceful urging would have been productive.

[Jim Wyatt]

Was this the best way to handle this situation? I certainly wasn't going to leave them down there and I didn't feel a more forceful urging would have been productive.

Seems to me you handled it the best way possible. You may not touch them and push them out without being in jeopardy of them accusing you of simple battery. Several years ago a cave instructor pushed a diver out of the cavern zone and the police were called and the instructor was arrested.

[TracyN]

Thanks Jim

[bullfrog]

I think you did well Tracy. Perhaps you could pull out a slate and ask them who their next of kin was.

[bullfrog]

and you probably saved two lives!!!!!!!!!!!

[jj1987]

Remember that forcefully removing someone can result in being charged with assault or the like. While I think it's noble to want to save them, I wouldn't risk being arrested and having to worry with a court date and such over it.

[Kelly Jessop]

Remember that forcefully removing someone can result in being charged with assault or the like. While I think it's noble to want to save them, I wouldn't risk being arrested and having to worry with a court date and such over it.

You are right,Tyler Moon was trying to do the right thing,and was arrested.

[MORGAN]

It's ironic that endangering yourself and others through ignorance, stupidity, and complete lack of judgment is not illegal, but trying to save the life of the person who is thus endangering himself may get you arrested.

I once saw three OW divers, snorkels and all, halfway to the lips. I flashed them and pointed out. They saw me but chose to ignore me, so I continued my exit. I stopped at the big triangular rock where the ear and eye routes diverge, and waited until I saw them go by headed out. My thinking was to be available in case one of them ran OOG. I intended to have a quiet and non-confrontational talk with them on the surface, but by the time I finished my deco they had left.

I will certainly do what I can to help in an emergency, and will take an opportunity to do a bit of education with someone who's willing to listen, but that's about the extent to which I'm willing to get involved in other peoples' dramas.

[Wizard]

On my last page of wetnotes is printed in large print "next of kin and number".
I show offending OW divers this and try to hand them a pencil.

[OFG-1]

This is the best way to get them out - works every time.