The Real Truth?

As mentioned in most of the safety articles on this site, Diving both recreationally and competitively are statistically extremely safe activities. I now believe that US Diving knew that and is keeping that information from the membership for reasons unknown to me at this time. I can only guess and will try to do so in this article.

I do believe that there is still some confusion left in reporting accidents and classifying them. This is to the advantage of US Diving. If this confusion is ever cleared up, the Safety certification course will no longer be necessary along with the CPR, First Aid and back boarding requirements. US Diving hasn't come out with any safety information for that reason. I believe they were aware of that back in the late 80's and kept quiet to gain control of its coaches and the organization. Insurance was another issue of focus at that time. If Insurance for swimming pools is a specialty type, then insurance to cover diving is further specialized. If one wants to purchase insurance to cover diving, all one has to do is ask. There is a company that will write a policy and it's a lot cheaper than that offered by US Diving.

My research must have embarrassed US Diving into doing its own. I say that because all of my research was sent to the National office over a year ago. Their comment was in agreement with my findings. I was told that there would be a report to the Board last April. In May I was told that they were still 6 to 8 weeks away from the final draft. I fail to understand why nothing has surfaced out of the national office yet?

The disappearing diving board issue is an area that could have been cleared up rather easily but US Diving hasn't addressed it yet. Diving boards are not disappearing because of Safety or Insurance issues. They are disappearing for 3 basic reasons.

All of the above issues are things that US Diving can't control. I asked this question before, "Why hasn't US Diving trumpeted the safety of the activity? It is in their best interest, isn't it?" The answer appears to be yes and no. It is in their best interest if the sport looks like it is going to fade away. However, it isn't if they lose their primary justification for all of the certifications. If that happened, they would lose some control over their coaches too.

What they have done is allowed the Safety dilemma to perpetuate itself so they could increase the certifications and classes they offer. They allowed us to think that others, outside of Diving, did not considered our activity safe. According to some, if we did the certifications, we would look good to the Insurance Companies and thus get better coverage. Think about this, we had the same coverage for years and from the same company prior to all of these certifications. The Insurance Company did not dictate the certifications. US Diving did. The USOC directive was intended for those who aspire to coach at the National and International levels only.

We were told the year that the membership fee doubled that half the cost of that increase was insurance. Last year the insurance fee decreased but few were aware of that. However in the future the membership fees are suppose to increase. Why? That is partially due to the loss of members and they have to justify the grant money spent on the classes and textbooks. This kept the coaches so busy between staying certified and coaching that the NGB could now look to devise other methods to insure that they have more power and control (LRP). This definitely looks like something the long time board members would do and should not be a surprise to anyone.