Tom Falardeau
April 16th, 2007, 12:39 AM
There is an interesting thread on our neighbour forum concerning smoking and diving. While it is described in terms of the GUE non-smoking requirements for training, I think it applies no matter what agency. In that, as in a number of things, GUE has been ahead of the curve. Here is what I wrote on that board.
"My thoughts, which are sure to offend some people (but then, that ain't new)? Smoking is retarded, period. No one even try to argue that point, 'cause you'll only look even more retarded. How do I know? Been there, done that, am suffering the health consequences of smoking in my younger and not so younger days.
I applaud GUE for pushing the point.
It isn't rocket science, or even all that difficult to quit. Again, been there, done that. A smidgen of will power will do it. Lying about smoking to get into the GUE program - well, it isn't GUE you're cheating, but yourself.
BTW, nothing offends me more than cigarette smoke at a dive site - divers smoking right before or after a dive show a distinct lack of intelligence, and I hate hanging around idiots. Instructors doing the same need to have their heads smashed into the nearest concrete wall.
Make of the above what you want. Just remember - smoking is retarded."
Needless to say, at the time of my posting this here, there have been no dissenters. If I am divemastering for a Burton's sponsored scuba class, I will not tolerate smoking on my site, so be warned.
"My thoughts, which are sure to offend some people (but then, that ain't new)? Smoking is retarded, period. No one even try to argue that point, 'cause you'll only look even more retarded. How do I know? Been there, done that, am suffering the health consequences of smoking in my younger and not so younger days.
I applaud GUE for pushing the point.
It isn't rocket science, or even all that difficult to quit. Again, been there, done that. A smidgen of will power will do it. Lying about smoking to get into the GUE program - well, it isn't GUE you're cheating, but yourself.
BTW, nothing offends me more than cigarette smoke at a dive site - divers smoking right before or after a dive show a distinct lack of intelligence, and I hate hanging around idiots. Instructors doing the same need to have their heads smashed into the nearest concrete wall.
Make of the above what you want. Just remember - smoking is retarded."
Needless to say, at the time of my posting this here, there have been no dissenters. If I am divemastering for a Burton's sponsored scuba class, I will not tolerate smoking on my site, so be warned.