wedivebc

In basic rescue class we are taught to approach a potentially panicked diver from the front but be prepared to submerge and swim to the victims back in the event of panic. We are also taught to have your regulator in hand while speaking in a calming voice as you approach. Given the same circumstances with a Rebreather diver approaching a panicked diver would the best approach to be with DSV closed and bailout reg in hand?
I would imagine the danger of having on open loop pulled out of your mouth as well as the major taskloading of dealing with the victim would make staying on the loop less desirable. Not to mention the inability to speak with the victim.
Any thoughts?

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Cheers,

Dave....

www.wedivebc.com

Al Marvelli

personally i would have my bov on oc and in my hand.

but if you are familiar with how to break a front choke you dont have as much to worry about escaping underneath. most of your newer scuba classes teach the escape because its more touchy feely, but i learned the break in another lifetime/major occupational speciality. basically you reach across and twist while hammering back with your elbows. its hard to describe textually.

i wonder if ots cl's would prohibit this technique?

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Marv

fidelis Ad Mortem

bendomatic

i probably wouldn't approach them at all. if i'm on CC (and even on OC B/O), then my maneuovrability is compromised already. i really don't want someone who's truly panicked clambering over me and damaging my gear, thus compromising me. i'd rather wait till they're exhausted and then try dealing with it.

rachel

Jeff_B

Agreed, and have my knife handy


Jeff Blyther
Who is a bit annoyed that after falling off a roof I've got to give diving a miss for bloody ages :-(

tecdivertraining

In the past I have found that filling up my Lrg Halcyon SMB and passing it of to the a stressed diver at the surface helps them with buoyancy and gets them to relax without having to get that close, sure this would depend on the level of stress and panic as to the effectiveness. The most stressed CCR diver I have seen was a fellow that had a fully flooded his loop and realized how negative he was fighting to get to the surface and once their struggling to gain enough positive buoyancy, the SMB worked. a good reason to use a wing with suitable lift of dual bladder when diving in a wet suit.