A MESSAGE FROM THE ADCI PRESIDENT ■ BILL CROWLEY
THIS EDITION IS DEDICATED TO
gear, all the gear we use, have used or will use. Diving Equipment and the never ending desire to improve the current state of the art is a constant cycle of advancement. An idea or need, plus innovation and application, are the keys to solving problems and making a new product. Think about the gadgets you use every day and compare them with the gadgets of 20 years ago. Cell phones were bulkier and heavy, certainly not as cleaver and compact as the “smart phones” we use now. Automobiles, planes, satellite television, HD and 3D TV, the list is really endless. When was the last time you used a film type camera? Change happens. These early years of the 21st century have created a new culture of safety in our industry, and with those changes operational procedures and behavior are modified to meet the challenges. The equipment of this era and procedures of conduct (personal and professional) will change the way we operate now and in the future; each day is supposed to be a little better than the last. Remember, safety on the job is primary; we are all supposed to go home after work. The 6th edition of the ADCI Consensus review period has ended, and, as I write this, the comments we received are being reviewed. In general, the comments were good, pointed out some serious editing issues and provided input on some of the tougher issues. A different point of view can be very helpful. Thank you to all that participated in the review process. I don’t want give my age away, but when I first became a commercial diver the equipment of choice for most of the entry level shallow harbor and inland divers in the North East USA was a “Jack Brown” shallow water band mask. (I still like those masks, purchased a new one in the last year or two, works great in the pool.) There were, of course, numerous options of helmets, mostly made of metal, and slowly the emergence and acceptance of fiberglass band masks and helmets. I remember using a homemade blue modified football helmet (an air hat made by a GOM diver of some notoriety in the 1960’s), held tightly on your head by a braided polypropylene jocking strap (3/8" line) from the back to the front of the helmet via between the legs. Experience dictated it had to be carefully positioned and it worked very well in shallow water construction. Some senior free lance divers used heavy gear; it is all they trusted. There were other choices, but they were somewhat limited, unlike today. I could think of a dozen hats I would like to own but that is another story. Remember to always question whether your safety procedures meet the task at hand.
Be safe and always do the right thing.
12
UnderWater
MARCH/APRIL 2011
