Dear Fellow Diver:
We are very sorry to have to restrict the carrying of knives at Lake Rawlings. As usual, the many considerate divers have to pay the price for the few who show callous disrespect for our diving environment.
We have many instances where divers have used their knives to break open the precious freshwater mollusks that inhabit the lake in order to feed them to the fish. This practice seriously threatens the animal’s population, which is responsible in no small measure to the clarity of our water and makes Lake Rawlings a wonderful place to enjoy scuba diving for many people.
Additionally, people have used their knives to cut directional lines and buoy lines, stabbed fish and punctured buoys, and to carve and etch comments into the many attractions that we and others have placed at the bottom of the lake. We have gone to great lengths to make Lake Rawlings an attractive facility. Unfortunately, the unappreciative have made it difficult to keep it that way.
We have considered the safety issue and believe that Lake Rawlings does not possess the hazards that would necessitate a knife. As a PADI Resort we have consulted the PADI regulations about knives and find that they specifically say that a knife, though recommended, is only required of their divemasters and instructors when not in violation of local regulations.
We do not have the capacity to police all the activities of all the divers that visit us on a particular day to protect our property for the enjoyment of everyone. Therefore, after serious deliberations, the Lake Rawlings Board of Directors has opted to ban the carrying of dive knives into the lake.
We regret that we have had to take this action for we realize that it is a very few divers that are to blame. We hope that you will support us in this restriction and please do come and enjoy the environment that we are trying to create and protect.
Sincerely,
Lake Rawlings Board of Directors