To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
SEB Scuba Diver Protection and Safety Act
The SEB Scuba Diver Protection and Safety Act is required to ensure the safety and protection of SCUBA divers who SCUBA dive with commercial SCUBA entities. All boats must have an AED aboard and one person available to jump in the water to aid a distressed diver. These two measures will save lives.
Why is this important?
Each year hundreds of people die in the USA because of the total lack of rules and regulations in the scuba diving industry. Divers sign waivers that allow scuba dive companies to operate with a total lack of accountability and responsibility. Stephen E. Benavidez (beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend) died when he was sent down with an empty air tank while on vacation in the Florida Keys in April 2014. Within minutes he re-surfaced and called for help and gestured that he was out of air. Steve was only 30 feet away from the boat yet no one went to his aid. In the Florida Keys several people die every month due to the gross negligence of the scuba diving industry. One police officer from South Florida said “My biggest pet peeve about the diving industry is this—first and foremost it’s a money making industry. Diving companies will cut whatever corners they deem necessary if it means they will make money. I have personally seen tragedies that should never have happened. "