A Dangerous Diving Experience!

Chris,

I can certainly see your point here but I also think a little differently.  I became a certified diver through PADI when I was 10 years old (34 years ago).  I understand the importance of proper training.  I did snuba once in Kauai but didn't care for it.  I felt restricted and like I was in a kiddie pool stuck closely with a group of people. For me, I'd much rather free dive since I can go deeper than snuba and feel freer and in control.

It's sometimes a little extreme when people rely on warning labels as opposed to common sense.  I am a proponent for self-regulation. If someone is not comfortable in the water than maybe they shouldn't go out or at least seek a more advanced trainer to work with to become more comfortable.

I do agree with you in the sense that people are doing these tours and are told how easy and fun it is without the basic fundamentals.  Just learning simple equalizing technique and slowing down as you ascend will save a lot of people from pain.

All the tour stuff bums me out a little but doesn't keep me from doing what I love.  It's just not the same when you are out enjoying the sealife and along comes a big boat with people jumping in with floaties trying to get their selfie moment with the sea animals.  Anyways, not sure why I just went off on a tangent

Chris Sargent wrote:

The SNUBA dives are fairly shallow so the danger is mitigated to a certain extent.. but it does feel that slightly more education would have been a good idea.

The hazards of compressed air are most prominent at shallow depths.   It only avoids nitrogen concerns.  I view it like I do mopeds-  nearly all the danger of motorcycles, but without most of the upside, and usually with minimal training.

The Bob contraptions are another attempt to cut the perceived risk and difficulty.   Your head is in a diving bell, so should remove concerns of choking on water.   But the pressure concern are still there, and you're in a rather hefty piece of equipment.