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Again more HEARSAY information but it seems that three of the four
divers (all except the Police Officer) were in questionable physical
condition.
Also, apparently the student had difficulties the day before and
surfaced with a severe headache.

I also understand that there was no float ball.  My biggest fear when
doing this type of diving is the boat captain being unable to find me at
deco.  If this is the case, what were they thinking doing a mid or late
afternoon dive with no float and why did the captain permit it?

Now I understand that this may be all hearsay and speculation, but the
three dead men are not.  I sincerely hope that this matter is fully
investigated and the errors made are disclosed.
            
There are a handful of boat captains and divers who have been doing this 
type of diving for years and they are very good at it.  Now that it is
in vogue, everybody wants to get in on the act, some without paying
their dues. (I DO NOT KNOW THIS TO BE THE CASE HERE so please don't
misconstrue this to be a slam at a boat captain I don't even know.)      

Protocols need to be established for the conducting of these dives that
the training agencies should insist on before using a given boat and
captain.

I was fortunate in that when I started doing this type of diving, I
inadvertantly stumbled upon the best instructors and boat captains in
the business.  There were no courses per se and much of what I learned
was by watching others.  

Today, this type of diving is not "underground" and there is no reason
for this to occur.  

I personally have witnessed courses being taught where the instructor
and 
students were using dual independant doubles with trimix in one tank,
36%
in another (both back mounted tanks) with 80% slung in a stage!  In all
fairness, most of the instructors I know are VERY conscientious people
who would never do anything such as that, but we need to weed out the
incompetants before natural selection does it for us.

Joe C.
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