Quote: (Originally Posted by
hchoat)
The CG's primary mission is not to "rescue" injured divers. What about personal responsibility for risk taking (this is a risky sport, after all). Since when do we expect "Big Brother" to come flying to our rescue anytime anything bad happens?
I'm sorry the guy died, but I don't see why we are beating up the CG over it.
I respectfully disagree after a fashion. I must confess my view is clouded somewhat by where I do the lion’s share of my diving, the Great Lakes. Here our wrecks can be reasonably intact after over 150 years, so folks often study the history of older wreck events.
Before they were called the Coast Guard, they were called the U. S. Life-Saving Service. I’ve read many, many historical accounts of brave and selfless men- and a few women- challenging impossible weather at great personal risk with only the most basic of equipment to rescue civilians in peril on the water. One unofficial motto of the time (since dropped) was “You have to go out. You don’t have to come back.”
Trust me, I’m no fan of the Big Brother concept and I firmly believe I am responsible for the risks I take, but seeing in pejorative print just how far at least one member has ventured from the grand traditions of his service was truly saddening.