Imported post
[b said:
Quote[/b] (Adrian Kelland @ Oct. 28 2003,18:55)]Any involved instructor will be putting themselves through hell at the moment, let alone what any HSE/Police investigation will do. I don't know about othe forces (Mark Davies might help here), but the Police dive team down here also investigate incidents, not just do the muddy river searches. At least they understand the issues.
<font color='#000080'>Adrian,
We don't get any diving incidents in inner city Manchester so I don't have any personal experience. However, I have looked into the subject out of interest and can answer your question.
It all depends on the end result of the incident. If it proves fatal then it falls into the hands of the police who will conduct an investigation on behalf of the coroner. Otherwise, it is an industrial accident under the preserve of HSE who will conduct their own investigation. The police involvement stops at ensuring there are no suspicious circumstances (such as sabotage of equipment) and making sure the HSE ball is set rolling. If there are suspicious circumstances then there will likely be a joint investigation with police looking into any criminal matters while HSE go for the dive operation and their safety procedures.
As for 10 year olds diving; well, come on? I can't believe anyone even considers it. I know there are people here who dive with their kids, and their kids are here too. The youngest I think is Bethi who is about 12, if I remember right (and a rather mature 12 aswell). That would be about the limit for me, and I'm with Matt; they should only dive with their parents. If their parents are not divers how can they give properly informed consent to their children diving.
I'd say it is for the individual parents to decide whether their children are up to it, but 10 is too young, surely. These kids are still in junior school and generally up to that point have had very sheltered and trouble free lives, (certainly those whose parents can afford to send them diving!). Consequently they have little experience of being under pressure or having to deal with difficult situations.
Once kids get to high school their personality develops rapidly. How many parents do you hear complaining that their kids were angels before they went to high school, but look at them now? A couple of years having their edges knocked off and perhaps then they may have the social and psychological tools to deal with a crisis.
Another matter of concern is whether the kids really want to do it. Last time I was at Stoney I saw this young lad who was about 10 or 11. He was only about 4' 2" tall. I saw him coming out of the water, looking freezing cold in a semi-dry suit and barely able to stand in the kit he was wearing. He looked absolutely miserable with that "I'm determined not to cry" look on his face. Now that was child abuse.
In any case, I don't think 10 year olds have any chance of understanding the risks. At that age you have virtually no concept of death and believe that you're imortal. You can tell them that "it's very, very important not to do that" but they'll never fully understand.
This girl may be a very singular illustration of the point. I sincerely hope for herslf and her parents that she pulls through. One thing for sure, I bet her parents question their earlier decisions and never let her dive again.
