carried by their male dive buddies, who dwarf them. They wear black gear and attempt to blend into a group. Still others pursue a strategy


that’s quite the opposite, wearing gear that highlights their femininity, such as pink or stylish equipment. They proudly display themselves as feminine, strong and capable women. A good example is a social group called Scuba Diver Girls. These active and experienced divers fl at out reject the notion that women are less capable and instead emphasize their experiences in diving. In doing so they help change the image of women in diving. A male diver/paramedic


be full and immediate acceptance of a girl or woman brought to a dive shop for training by the man in their life. However, I have observed on more than one occasion that when a professional independent woman visits a shop she fi nds the shop staff ‘cold’ to the idea of taking her on as a student.” Most women who described


discriminatory dive operations said they would never return that business. They were unforgiving of this type of behavior. Many women on Internet forums


sought out social, collective experiences such as women’s dive events and clubs. These activities are not just women only. They are organized around a completely diff erent way of enjoying the sport. These types of activities tend to emphasize a supportive environment where a woman can expect equality and mentoring. At women’s events and dive days, opportunities are provided for women to support each other and discuss women- specifi c issues. Timid or socially uncomfortable women are encouraged to participate in these events, which are organized around common principles of recreation, fun and friendship. Organizations such as the Women Diver’s Hall of Fame unite accomplished women in a way that bonds them on common causes by creating scholarship and internship


Scuba Diver


Girls have a huge social media following


Co-author of Women


Underwater,


Renee Power shares a fun moment


opportunities for women divers. Some women found these events


and clubs to be uninteresting or needless. Their coping strategy involves blending in and de- emphasizing gender. These women tend to reject the necessity for organizations such as the Women Diver’s Hall of Fame. They feel that their personal empowerment is achieved not by being a great ‘woman diver’ but by simply pushing themselves to be a ‘great diver’. These same people downplay their gender, rejecting colourful equipment that may emphasize their gender. Despite a sometimes diminutive size, these women carry tanks that are just as large as those


recounted, “I spent the 1980s crack epidemic as an urban paramedic in a ‘knife and gun club’ area, with a female partner for nine years. She was a great paramedic, and she would always tell new female EMS staff , “If you can do the job, you’ll get the respect, from the people whose respect is worth having. The people who don’t respect your ability to do the job aren’t people whose opinions you should be concerned about. “My cave diving, retired detective


wife used to tell new female police offi cers, ‘It’s not about your gender, it’s about your ability to do your job. There are people who will try to crap on you for being a woman in a ‘man’s job’, but if you’re easily upset or off ended, perhaps this isn’t the right career for you. Just do your job, stand up for yourself, keep your sense of humor, and don’t sweat the small stuff . Most of the sexist stuff is just boys’ lame attempts to be funny. The problem is not ‘women in a man’s job’, it’s ‘boys in a grownup’s job’ - 30+ year olds whose level of maturity is stuck somewhere around middle school.’”


The Costs of Equality On one diving forum thread, the conversation eventually came around to a long discussion about my deceased friend Agnes Milowka. A young and talented cave diver, she paid the ultimate price and perished in an Australian cave. In 2010, I had perhaps unknowingly foretold her death in my book The Essentials of Cave Diving, when I wrote: “Agnes, a native Australian, begins


her dive, stripped of all but a wetsuit, then digs her way into the crumbling passage. Her tiny, 110-pound frame is sustained by the tank she pushes ahead of her. She doesn’t know


www.divermag.com 25


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68