The Wilmington Star News reported two scuba diving deaths off the North Carolina coast one Thursday, October 13th and another on Sunday, October 16th. I’m following this sport more closely because my 10 year old son is strongly interested in diving and in particular in diving for megladon shark’s teeth. He has read Steve Alten‘s Meg and has become a fan of the writer and his series on megladons. Both deaths involved hunting for these prehistoric fossils at Megalodon Ledge. Donald Zantop, 59 years old was described by his wife as an experienced diver. Amy Pieno, age 48, was the co owner of a Outer Banks Diving in Hatteras, NC. Presumably as a dive shop owner, she was very experienced. Megalodon Ledge’s average depths are 100′ to 110′.
How safe is diving? Statistics indicate it’s relatively safe, yet diving’s environment does not allow for much margin of error, especially the deeper a diver goes. I’m just about convinced that most hazardous sports are for those who are in shape and fairly young. But hey, it’s your life, and as long as your only risking your own, it’s your choice.
Our family has had these discussion before about hazardous sports. Several years ago a kid in the area, about 10, was doing a motorcross event, did a face plant and died. I’d rather hold off allowing my boys do certain hazardous activities until they are 18. Then being of age, I can shake their hand and wish them well. Their fate is up to them. If as a parent I allow them to do something hazardous under age 18 and something goes wrong, part of the guilt is going to be mine. Always.
Divers and life insurance
Over the years I quoted life insurance for scuba divers and have several as clients. Rates depend on the average depths of dives and frequency. Best available rates are possible if diving is limited and not too deep. Over 100 feet is generally considered deep. The most important thing is to admit diving on the application. Some applications are more favorable than others on the look back period on diving history. They all ask if you intend to dive in the future, usually in the next 2 years. Prudential, Genworth and American General come to mind as carriers that offer the most favorable underwriting. Prudential in particular is favorable.
As an attorney (and a holder of a Genworth policy), I am glad to see that I am not the only bottom feeder. Good thing you were no around for the Hindenburg disaster, less we have to hear about your kids wanting to sky-dive!
Not true. But in fairness any correlation like this leaves me open to the charge, counselor, and perhaps you are just ribbing. I’ve been writing this blog for almost a year and rarely, if ever, mention my sons. But I’ll admit they have made me think much more about safety; it irks me to see people speed down our street. From my youngest, I’ve been hearing about sharks for years and got a big push on scuba diving in 2011. We have a dive shop in Surf City, and one of my son’s best friends got a certification this summer. As for the Hindenburg, the sky offers a wondrous flying circus. This summer for his birthday I offered as a present to my oldest a single engine plane 1/2 hour joy-ride, as I did for my 14th birthday, and he turned me down. Both boys, it turns out, were a little nervous of the danger. Too many air disaster stories?
Fair enough! I was certified in the 8th grade in 1968, which was pre- PADI, NAUI etc. Today’s multiple certifications are a vast improvement over the course I first took — “Here is your card — good luck!” In 1984 I acquired several dual PADI/NAUI cards — Advance wreck, Deep, Night, Rescue, etc., despite my previous deep/wreck diving experience.
Point taken, never stop learning — the benefits of the learning experience — self-confidence, the ability to mentor others, etc. is almost equal to experience of diving.
We now have several generations diving, friends, neighbors’ sons, etc. (yes, they learned by helping me with my gear, trips to the pool, etc.). This is a great activity — like a family ski trip.
However, I do not recommend family members buddy diving. Unfortunately, I believe in self-rescue (back-up tanks/regulators, etc.) and rely less on buddies.
I am a friend of Amy and her family — and know in my heart that this was an unfortunate accident — having served as a safety diver/buddy on several trips when requested/suggested by the boat captain [her husband] to help an inexperience diver needing a buddy.