Recently we had a discussion regarding a snorkeling question and whether we need to concern ourselves with it and DCS. Nate, I think, quoted a Dr. Taylor in defense of his argument. Dr. Taylor did some was doing research on Google and pulled up our discussion. After reading it he sent me an email. After a nice discussion with him he has agreed to let me post his response to our listserv. Below is his entire email. Enjoy and have a merry Christmas / Chanukah / Kwanzaa. Craig II ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Larry Harris Taylor Date: Dec 24, 2006 1:13 AM Subject: Reference to my words To: cgoheen@xxxxxxxxx SeaVentures, While browsing Google, I noticed a Google reference to a post on your web site ([seaventures] Re: Snorkel and Dive Tables) about a 2003 presentation of mine called "Friday Night Review" ... the particular slide mentioned in your post addressed the use of dive tables in dive planning, especially when free diving. The point of the slide (used in a review of basic diving knowledge just prior to the first open water experience) was to make a clear distinction between free diving and diving on compressed gases. Your poster stated "Dr. Taylor's answer was that it didn't matter because you weren't breating compressed gas. But as you have seen by the research provided by Nate, it does matter." I did not see in your post, the text message that appeared in the Friday Night Review article under the quoted slide of a dive table exercise.: Under most circumstances, nitrogen absorption while snorkeling is irrelevant to recreational diving. While there have been reported cases of DCS in free divers, the incidents involved more than 8 hours of repetitive, working dives to depths in excess of 60 fsw. I believe the above statement alters the tone of the post on your web site, as well as my teaching presentation. The web site links to my power point presentations (which are art work only) at http://www.mindspring.com/~divegeek/pwrpnt.htm clearly states: I hope that users remember that illustrations in a slide show are, by themselves, memory keys for the speaker and, as such, are inherently incomplete. A total presentation is the sum of the images projected and the comments of the presenter. Since the illustrations are only part of a complete package, the author assumes no liability for their use. The article Friday Night Review is at: (http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lpt/friday.htm ) While DCS in free diving (as in all diving) is still a not-totally understood occurrence, I think that my presentation does suggest a potential hazard, but for most recreational divers who do not participate in sustained free diving to depths below 30 fsw, the risk, while not zero, is minimal. This is another example of how out-of-context posts (far too common on the internet and in dive instruction) can be used to alter original intent, tone and meaning of a statement. While I am pleased that web traffic suggests my web pages are useful to the diving community, I would appreciate it if my words were not taken out of context, especially when the out-of-context post alters the intent, tone or facts of the material offered to the diving community on my web site. Thanks! Dive long and prosper, "Harris" Larry "Harris" Taylor, Ph. D. Sr Lab Specialist, MBNI, U of MI http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lpt Diving Safety Coordinator, U of MI http://www.mindspring.com/~divegeek -- www.novadiving.com www.SeaVentures-Scuba.com Please send all replys to seaventures@xxxxxxxxxxxxx If you need to contact the Administrator of the list then email Craig at cgoheen(at)gmail.com Sea Ventures List Serve Message