First off regarding my doctors - I had the best surgeons in the world fix me! Take a look at what I looked like about Sept. 1 of this year. Right now I am limited to lifting 10 pounds. Many surgeons would have me limited to a light weight lifting limit for the rest of my life. My surgeon says I can lift heavy things again as long as I am not straining to do so. The end of this month my 10 pound weight restriction is lifted and I get myself with a personal trainer and into the gym. I will be able to life my doubles and stages again without one bit of straining!!!I guess another doctor is in order .
Seriously, I hope that you get well soon.
Also, most of us that dive doubles and that type of thing really don't WANT a divemaster. My concern would be for a newbie divemaster that has never seen anything but recreational gear trying to get my butt back on the boat if I was unconscious. Would they even know where to start cutting off gear? Hopefully, my buddy would be there (and even my normal buddy who dives recreational gear is very familar with my rig and the release points), but one never knows.
If you want to get picky, DM's up here should also be up on drysuits because a great many of the rapid ascents up here seem to be air trapped in the drysuit boots. I have personally seen one were the diver's undies fluffed up against his vent and he had to flood the suit to slow his ascent (Brrrr!!!!) I haven't run into a dive pro on the Great Lakes that doesn't dive dry at least part of the time, but you never know.
Obviously Peter is in an area where he sees a lot of tech rigs. In that case, if I were running a dive op., I would use the same requirements for a DM. And I can't believe DM's in this day and age that aren't familar with Nitrox, but it happens!
I -could- dive them right now if somebody were to carry them for me and say I were to gear up in water or something. But I am a major stickler on this one. I don't believe a person should dive gear they can not or will not carry. If you don't have the strength to lift it - you shouldn't dive it. So I will hit the gym and get strong. Once I have paid my dues and regained all of my strength - I will be back in my doubles!!! Until then it will be back in the single tank setup.
As to getting well -- I absolutely feel better than I have in years - so thanks for that!!!
I agree with you on not wanting a DM as well... I prefer they never touch my gear. I know how I like my gear and how it should be set. I am comfortable with it a specific way (ok some people may say anal) but I know how it should be. I don't want anybody messing with it.
When I was a new tech diver, I had a DM once turn off my left post right before I jumped off a boat because he thought the tank was "turned off." Of course he didn't say anything to me when he did such a thing. I learned then and there never to let anybody touch my doubles - ever.
Regarding rigs and release points -- there are so many different types of BC's and such out there - DM's can't know them all. I think it is simple enough to look at a rig and figure out how to get somebody out of it. If nothing else - start cutting. A harness is easy enough to cut somebody out of. But of course your buddy is going to be there -- who else is going to get your gear when you are gone!