DANGERS AND PRECAUTIONS 



them in the bilge. Salt water would almost surely have rusted some of 

 these until they leaked, and fumes rising from the bilge could have been 

 ignited by the motor or by a flame in the galley stove. This was the most 

 likely cause of the disaster. 



These true stories, with the probable causes of the disasters, are but 

 two among countless mishaps that have resulted from lack of foresight 

 either in planning, inspecting, or allowing a boat to be poorly kept. 



If a cruise is contemplated for the purpose of submarine diving, a new 

 element is introduced which requires forethought and care. We built 

 a ladder which was used to make ascent and descent more convenient. 

 When in use it was placed overside and made fast to bulwarks and stan- 

 chion, extending downward so that four rungs were below the surface. 

 On one occasion my daughter was coming up from a dive, and a life 

 line tied around her waist slipped under the ladder and caught. The hel- 

 met was not above water, therefore it could not be removed. She "took 

 it easy," so did the people on deck. Line and hose were paid out until 

 she could move. Excitement and hurry could have caused at least some 

 very unpleasant results. The job of freeing the line was left to the man 

 in charge of it and the man at the pump knew that the best assistance 

 he could give was to keep the air supply steady. 



The use of a life line in moderate depths where the seabottom or 

 tidal currents present no hazards and the diver has had experience, seems 

 unnecessary. The hose, when held under the arm, establishes a sufficient 

 connection with the surface. Signals can be transmitted by a system of 

 jerks on the hose and it may be used as a support to cling to when 

 stepping over or climbing upon masses of coral. Should some disaster 

 occur, however, such as failure of air supply, causing unconsciousness, 

 a life line tied around the body would enable the persons on board to 

 pull the diver up and administer emergency treatment for the drowning. 

 When giving persons with no experience and of doubtful presence of 



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