Hi Dennis,
I really liked what you had to say about the old "JAWS"-Phobia. For the
first time diver.  I know I too had a problem for a long time about
sharks, especially knowing some close calls that some Paramedics that I
worked with had with the sharks at Bodega Bay, CA(that is near San
Francisco, in an area called "The Red Triangle"-Why---Great Whites.
But I think every diver goes thru alot of anxiety before their first
dive, especially if they watch the discovery channel and it is "SHARK"
week. I'd even like to take a look at that cartoon book of yours.
 
Marianne
Re: To first dive, "What else is in the water with me"-Do you hear Jaws
music??
 
DS>When I teach the basic open water class I have a little cartoon book that 

DS>give out that describes the most dangerous aquatic animals that you are 
most
DS>likely to encounter as a diver.  The first on the list is the barnacle, 
or
DS>number of reasons.  The second, is the sea urchin, also for a number of
DS>reasons, all sharp. The third is listed as "Carcharadon Imaginus" namely, 
th
DS>incredably huge, insatiable shark-type toothy fish that resides in your
DS>imagination.  This particular fish is always worse than anything most of 
s
DS>will ever encounter, emphasize the word MOST in overwhelming fashion.  New
DS>divers in particular have a heightened case of carcharadon imaginitis 
hich
DS>effects your resoning ability more than anything else.  The bottom line, 
o
DS>intended, is that sharks are no different than any other large preditor 
that
DS>share this world with.  They are driven pretty much by the same set of 
force
DS>that govern any other animal on this planet, ie survival instinct, some 
form
DS>interpersonal social interaction within their own species, etc.  As part 
f
DS>ecosystem we certainly need to afford these animals the respect that is 
thei
DS>do, without getting carried away.  As for my thinking, it is one thing to
DS>observe something in its natural habitat, under normal circumstances, with
DS>whatever reasonable precautions are due the situation, and the calling 
toget
DS>of a batch of preditors with food related stimulus so that I can have a 
floo
DS>show of granadose (?) scale.  I have worked with and socialized with a 
numbe
DS>of fairly well known practitioners of the latter practice who think that 
I'm
DS>being "a wimp" but since it's my own stress level I'm dealing with they 
an
DS>call me what they like to no avail.  This is not a critisism of those folk 
w
DS>wish to participate in these activities per say, but we all have our own 
fla
DS>of diving that turns us on and takes us down
 
DS>Jeesh, enough already.
 
DS>Be wet and well.
 
DS>Dennis
Take Care, Marianne
marianne.ryan@cyber.gigo.com
DS>--- Alexi/Mail 2.02b (#10000)
 
 * SLMR 2.1a * Hello, I am part number ³ºÞº³º³Û³ºÝ³ºÝ³³
--- TriToss (tm) Professional 11.0 - (Unregistered)
SO> is a predator. Whether or not you look scared or not, while you are 
SO> downyou are in his environment, so use caution.
SO> Be well, be wet!
SO> Scuba divers may do it deeper, but, Commercial divers do it deeper 
SO> and longer.
I think I ran across a message that you sent someone else concerning the 
commercial diving business and the common route most people take while 
progressing up the ranks.  I think you also addressed the common salary 
amounts to expect.  I have a number of students who are interested in this 
information but I can't seem to find the original.  If you, are anyone else 
reading this, can provide information about the real world commercial diving 
industry, ie iwthout the hype common the the schools and training facilities, 
I, and my students, would greatly appreciate it.
 
Be wet and well.
Dennis
* SPITFIRE v3.51 
--- Alexi/Mail 2.02b (#10000)
---------------