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
--
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