Thrill Seeking I   (02/21/00)
	Biff Barksdale wrote: No supporting rope under the arms. Real hanging potential. The other was a recreation of a BATMAN comic cover with another femmed homme bound in a pool with a rope secured to the bottom of the pool keeping him from reaching the surface. I wish I knew the details, such as was someone else in the pool ready to cut the rope, etc., but let's assume that was the case. Now, I'm not making a judgment here, other than to say I wouldn't touch either with a ten foot single tail. I'd say that's a safe assumption...but it still may be a false one. And there really *are* a variety of things that would make the above safe(r). I *would* however, get someone experienced with water involved in it. (My personal preference would be Water Safety Instructors, SCUBA persons, etc...Why, yes, I *WAS* a WSI....:) Some other good options are underwater rescue folx, the certification folx for beach side Lifeguard certification (which *IS* different than the Red Cross, who have gone downhill in recent years...)) Biff wrote: I'd like some opinions on the safety issues involved and the mindset of the participants. Safety issues that I can see...Bound in a pool. Bound to the bottom of the pool. Was there some sort of breathing apparatus involved? Was there someone nearby *with* breathing apparatus that could intervene/supply at the "last minute". Was there trained medical techs there or at the *very* least, trained life guards...and I *don't* mean the "I took one class that was videos telling us how or simple basic water safety" class. I mean honest to god trained water rescue people. Back to safety issues....was the person gagged? Blindfolded? How were the ropes tied? What were they tied too? There are certainly things that you can tied to that *will* allow you to struggle to the surface, but it *isn't* easy, and I won't go into what they are right now. You have to be a *damned* strong swimmer to do it. How was the rope secured to the person? Was it a "breakaway" tie that the person, if they strained enough, would break and they would come to the surface? Was the person knowledgeable about working in water? (Both pitcher *AND* catcher...I can't see doing this to someone that doesn't know how to swim pretty well, and the mechanics of water movement.) Had the people timed how long the person could hold their breath while struggling? Had they timed how long the person took to *respond* to what appeared to be someone about to pass out? Had they practiced the release from bondage and/or floor? (Preferably both?) Did they have the materials around *for* a quick release and recovery? Sawing through rope in water is *damned* difficult. Hell, *swimming* in water is damned difficult for a lot of people. Did they understand that reaction time, in water, is different than on land? That it is more stressful on the body? That there is more resistance? (Swimming 1 mile is the exertion equivalent of running 4...just one of those interesting tidbits to help you evaluate things...) Were the people rested enough beforehand? were they tired already? Being tired affects how someone can respond and how long they can resist inhaling water. What were their precautions when it came to sudden cramping possibilities of pitcher/catcher/retriever? And most of these things are *just* off of the top of my head. Personally, I could see doing it if enough people were around that knew what was what. As either pitcher *or* catcher. But I would not do it without some *damned* specific planning. And, this is something that may stun Tiger....I wouldn't do it with him. He doesn't know enough about water to *be* the pitcher. automatically disqualifies him. The *most* important thing I can see would be to have a tank standing by to slap over the person while they're released. But, someone with SCUBA experience may prove me wrong there. Hopefully someone out there can do so. :) Biff wrote: Is this akin to bungee jumping, parachuting, and other thrill seeking adventures, or is it more like walking the high wire without a net? I don't know that any of those things are different...or that they're any more or less dangerous than doing the water scene would be. They all have inherent risk. No getting around that. In the course of doing *any* of these...it's about risk management...because you will *never* be able to eliminate *all* risk in anything like skydiving, bungee jumping, or high wire acts without a net. Nor will eliminating or planning for any risks in the water scene mean you will think of everything or mean that shit doesn't happen. It does. Don't do it if the risk is too great. Biff wrote: The first two and other examples can be done safely with proper training > and equipment, though one's life is at risk. The last is pure psychotic > behavior, IMO. With proper training, high wire acts are no more dangerous than skydiving or bungee jumping. And certainly no more dangerous than the water scene described above. The catch is to get knowledgeable people to poke holes into what you're doing enough so that most of the holes are addressed. That's the same thing you do for any high risk sport.