Should there be an O2 set on Dive Charter Boats?

[Odin]

Skipper - a very good reasoned answer! Have a greeny!

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by tiewrapdiver

It doesnt sound like a big thing to ask for, that a boat your chartering has the basic facilities to get you out the dodge, after all it carries flares, VHF etc, why not O2 when it is a basic tool for divers.

Tim

VFH and flares are basic boat safety equipment which is why boats must carry them

O2 is not basic boat safety equipment - its basic diving safety equipment

Whilst i agree that its a good idea for a boat to have its own, Diving is the divers responsibility as is diving safely, which, is perhaps why no one has thought to legislate to make a skipper in anyway responsible for your diving

[David Wallace]

Originally Posted by Odin

Skipper - a very good reasoned answer! Have a greeny!

Cheers, I'm expecting a few reds

[Janos]

I doubt you'll get reds. I hope not anyway.

I'm quite happy with skippers acting as water taxis and it should stay that way.

The sooner divers expect anything more from skippers, then a huge can of worms is opened up. Skippers will end up having to marshalling all aspects of a dive, which will then include things like whether you're up to that dive, judging your qualifications, judging how much you had to drink last night, and whether you've got your tanks the right way up.

Let's keep it as it is.

Laters,
Janos

PS - When my club runs trip off a hardboat we take our own O2 anyway, even if the skipper has some on board, assuming there's no rib trip that weekend, though we can't do that as private individuals cos of club rules etc.

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by Skipper

Wow Andy, you like opening cans of worms dont you

No,not really. I was disgusted that a BSAC BRANCH CHAIRMAN had the bollocks to write such a letter without getting his facts right in the first place. ie the HSE bit.

Just got me wondering what the divers on YD thought about the subject, thats all.

Originally Posted by Skipper

Right.... I carrry O2 7 litre at 200Bar with double outlets, and I think all commercial charters should from a moral point of veiw.

Same here, also carry 12 masks

Originally Posted by Skipper

Assistants are not required on a charter unless the vessel is operating more than 20 miles from safe haven or during the hours of darkeness at any distance.

And the CoP's & after ME getting advise fro the MCA say . Crewman must be over the age of 16, be able to launch the liferaft, be able to give a safety briefing and hold a ML 5 ( Seamans medical )

That means paying someone and passing the cost onto the Divers.

[Angleseyskipper]

on a different note there is a new trend starting to rear its head regarding 02.
its called a free snort.
usually follows "had a fast ascent skip i'd better go on 02"
"no problem its ready to go help yourself ", keeping a close eye on things
2 hours later and 1 empty 02 cylinder "whats the next wreck called skip?"
errmm yeah right
ring any bells?

[beanie]

Originally Posted by yellow butty box

on a different note there is a new trend starting to rear its head regarding 02.
its called a free snort.
usually follows "had a fast ascent skip i'd better go on 02"
"no problem its ready to go help yourself ", keeping a close eye on things
2 hours later and 1 empty 02 cylinder "whats the next wreck called skip?"
errmm yeah right
ring any bells?

it should be a case of user refills the cylinder or pays for it when that happens it is only fair after all

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by beanie

it should be a case of user refills the cylinder or pays for it when that happens it is only fair after all

In my experience the diver (and maybe his buddy) are airlifted away and no payment is ever paid for the O2 nor the dive in some cases. I have been on a boats 3 times with incidents and every time I have made sure the Skipper is paid in full and offered to pay for the O2 when used. It has not always been accepted, as often these incidents are traumatic for all involved including the Skips. In one case I insisted we paid and the Skip gave the money to the Lifeboat fund - top man in my opinion.

Mike Snelling (who recently wrote in Diver mag) is a first class Skipper and I would support all his comments. However I do think any boat carrying divers should carry O2. The moment you say that you open a can of worms in determining how much and how to give it. As Mike says a Skipper has enough to do during an incident anyway.

These days many of us book on to a boat as a budy pair and we can not all be expected to bring our own O2.

Divers should take first aid and O2 admin courses if they dive regularly and any club should get its own O2.

Finally a plea to anyone involved in an incident if you are rescued etc by a boat make contact with the Skipper afterwards, offer to pay for you dive afterwards and any other costs they have incurred and thank them. I know of at least one incident where a diver was rescued unconcious on the surface face down in the water by a dive boat which was not the boat they dived from and they never even thanked the guys who saved their life.

[Andy the Coastie]

Originally Posted by ChrisP

In my experience the diver (and maybe his buddy) are airlifted away and no payment is ever paid for the O2 nor the dive in some cases. I have been on a boats 3 times with incidents and every time I have made sure the Skipper is paid in full and offered to pay for the O2 when used. It has not always been accepted, as often these incidents are traumatic for all involved including the Skips. In one case I insisted we paid and the Skip gave the money to the Lifeboat fund - top man in my opinion.

Well, you must admit, they were bloody quick and very understanding.

Originally Posted by ChrisP

Mike Snelling (who recently wrote in Diver mag) is a first class Skipper and I would support all his comments. However I do think any boat carrying divers should carry O2. The moment you say that you open a can of worms in determining how much and how to give it. As Mike says a Skipper has enough to do during an incident anyway.
These days many of us book on to a boat as a budy pair and we can not all be expected to bring our own O2.
Divers should take first aid and O2 admin courses if they dive regularly and any club should get its own O2.
Finally a plea to anyone involved in an incident if you are rescued etc by a boat make contact with the Skipper afterwards, offer to pay for you dive afterwards and any other costs they have incurred and thank them. I know of at least one incident where a diver was rescued unconcious on the surface face down in the water by a dive boat which was not the boat they dived from and they never even thanked the guys who saved their life.

Excellent comments Dr Chris ........ thats why i love ya diving with me have a greenie