enjoyment of exploration. They also remain aware of
other divers, including their needs and the possible risks
they represent. Much too often poorly arranged buddy
teams or diving groups can lead to catastrophic events
that could easily have been prevented by more careful
selection and predive checks.
Lippmann:
A “safety-aware” (or more appropriately
termed “safety-prepared”) diver would generally possess
a variety of traits. These include a strong sense of self-
preservation and self-responsibility, keenness to learn
about pertinent risks and an awareness of his or her
own physical, mental and medical health. Such divers
seek relevant information about the site and potential
associated hazards and are also prepared to abort a dive
if necessary without being swayed by peer group pressure
to take unacceptable risks.
Heinerth:
In my opinion, a safety-aware diver is one who
is fully engaged in his or her participation in diving. A
safety-aware diver is one who looks at a given dive and
asks: “Am I fully capable of self-rescue in this scenario,
and am I fully capable and willing to execute a buddy
rescue if needed?” A safe diver would enter the water only
if each answer was an unequivocal “yes.”
What is the role of training agencies in shaping and
disseminating a culture of safety?
Lippmann:
Under their certification umbrella, they
have the greatest influence on dive professionals. It is
important that the agencies make their instructors and
divemasters champions of dive safety, monitor their work
and provide appropriate support in implementing the
culture of safety. Those instructors who significantly or
repeatedly breach reasonable safety standards need to be
sanctioned appropriately.
The PADI “Responsible Diver” Campaign and the
campaign to educate divers to ascend slowly and do
safety stops are great examples of the important role
that agencies can play in educating divers about key
safety issues.
Heinerth:
Training agencies have the opportunity to
set the ground rules right from the beginning and guide
divers to recognize that the general safety rules have been
developed from practical experiences. One instructor
who slips through the cracks without following standards
can affect hundreds of future divers, who can also move
on to affect another generation of divers. Maintaining
high standards is critical to nurturing a consistent climate
of safe diving practices.
Marroni:
The commercial need to ensure expansion for
the recreational diving industry has at times promoted
misconceptions that activities in and under the water
present little or no risk. I believe training agencies may be
pivotal in producing changes by introducing the hazard
identification and risk assessment (HIRA) components
into their training programs to increase both the safety
and the appeal of the sport.
How can dive operators contribute to the culture of
dive safety?
Heinerth:
These days operators are under increased
competition to offer the best adrenaline-laced
experiences. But I learned early that enthusiasm is
infectious. If you love what you are doing, then your
clients will love their experiences with you. There is
wonder and satisfaction just being underwater. It’s great
if you get blessed with a view of stunning manta ray, but
it can be just as exciting to see a jawfish with a mouthful
of eggs. Dive satisfaction doesn’t require great depths or
unnecessary risks.
Marroni:
Many dive operators are not aware of the risks
involved or their responsibilities toward their clients.
They may not pay enough attention to their clients’ skills
or fitness levels, environmental and technical safety, dive
boat safety, tank refill stations, etc.
Lippmann:
Dive operators have the obligation to ensure
that their equipment is well-maintained, that their staff
members are well informed, competent and vigilant, and
that divers are well matched for the sites they dive. If
we don’t receive a sufficiently safe level of service from
the dive operators we pay to dive, we should have little
hesitation to look elsewhere.
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STEPHEN FRINK
