Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 25th March 2008, 15:29

One could see this coming. Coming to the site with parts and tools missing, assembly the night before with things not quite right even then, and diving with a cell reading high (sounds like too high) all set the tone for this or another potential incident.

Glad you made it back to tell the story.

rewrites · 25th March 2008, 16:08

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

...I don't do rushed stressed gear prep. Back in the day when I did this is the sort of mistake id make. On one OC dive where I jumped in wearing a very negative set of 15s and two steel 10s for deco, I couldn't find my wing inflate the only thing that slowed my decent was hitting the sea bed

Wing inflate was behind my head.

ATB

Mark

Another very valid point! How many of us on a busy boat have felt pressured to kit up quickly and get in the water - particularly when the boat is full of OC divers?

I take the same stance: I paid for my spot on the boat, so I'll make sure I'm prepped before jumping in.

Good post, Håkan. Sure majority of us have been there - or very close at some point.

**Gill Envy** · 25th March 2008, 16:47

I'm always impressed by those who are willing to admit their mistakes. It's humbling but helps keep us all on our toes! have some green!!

Several weeks back I got to a local dive site early to meat up with some new dive buddies for a night dive, went to buy some fish and chips before setting up, had my credit card denied and because we had a large chunk of money in our account to pay off our second mortgage I over reacted to the possibility of fraudulent activity. My anxiety jumped, I immediately called my bank, got put on hold for half an hour, held up the guys I was diving with, rushed to set up and got down to the water's edge for a buddy check only to have it pointed out that my o2 wasn't plugged into the head.

That was an embarrassing but valuable reminder that it's all to easy to get distracted and that buddy checks really are a good idea.

g

**PhilSiswick** · 25th March 2008, 17:04

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gill Envy)

I'm always impressed by those who are willing to admit their mistakes. It's humbling but helps keep us all on our toes! have some green!!

Several weeks back I got to a local dive site early to meat up with some new dive buddies for a night dive, went to buy some fish and chips before setting up, had my credit card denied and because we had a large chunk of money in our account to pay off our second mortgage I over reacted to the possibility of fraudulent activity. My anxiety jumped, I immediately called my bank, got put on hold for half an hour, held up the guys I was diving with, rushed to set up and got down to the water's edge for a buddy check only to have it pointed out that my o2 wasn't plugged into the head.

That was an embarrassing but valuable reminder that it's all to easy to get distracted and that buddy checks really are a good idea.

g

It's always going to be hard to give enough time to prep ourselves and our units, given that we have to work to pay for this hobby, plus get ourselves and our piles of kit to the site, working and on time. I'm concentrating more on multi-day trips these days to give me more time/relaxation to prep and more willingness to throw a dive.

BTW, what is it about credit card fraud and diving. It's now guaranteed that every time I go to Scapa, I'll spend some time arguing about a fraud with my credit card company. 3 times out of 4 so far. The issue is that there is crap mobile coverage in the Orkneys, so it's hard to deal with.

Cheers,

**Dsix36** · 25th March 2008, 20:13

Green sent!

Turn on suit inflation

You just helped me find something else that I need on my checklist.

I am very thankful for your post. It may very well keep my butt bouyant.

Sutty · 25th March 2008, 21:03

Thanks for being big enough to post this!

Most mistakes can be caught by a deliberate calm period before getting in the water, even if you've been rushed before this. This time includes a pre-breathe, during which you check you can raise and lower PO2 appropriately, and all your buoyancy chambers can fill and dump.

Neil

Gilles · 25th March 2008, 22:58

Quote: (Originally Posted by Håkan K)

So what have I learnt after this ordeal?
- It is really hard work swimming for the surface without bouancy help in BC and/ or drysuit.
- It is not pleasant (to say the least) having shortage of breath.
- Try stay cool, I didn't, when it gets tough.
- It takes quite some time to recooperate after working hard without feeling you get the necessary gas into your lungs.
- Always, Always turn on the suit inflation bottle.
- Adjust the second stage Paragon so that it is adjustable when temperature does it necessary.
- I wasn't as good diver as I thought I was....

I would add to the above...

- Sacrifice the dive if/when things are just not going or feeling right.

I've had my own close calls, just because of ..... plain stupidity caused by some distraction or disapointment of some kind.

In my experience thus far, good dives go smoothly from kit prep to kit up. Cancelling a dive serves to "reboot" the psyche, and adds determination for success the next time around (and their will be a next time).

PnL · 26th March 2008, 03:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles)

I would add to the above...

- Sacrifice the dive if/when things are just not going or feeling right.

I've had my own close calls, just because of ..... plain stupidity caused by some distraction or disapointment of some kind.

In my experience thus far, good dives go smoothly from kit prep to kit up. Cancelling a dive serves to "reboot" the psyche, and adds determination for success the next time around (and their will be a next time).

I would have to agree, you don't want to hit the water with less then normal confidence in your rig or your current psychological state (stress, anxiety, etc). There are plenty of dives to be had, and only one death to take it all away. Stay alive.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Drmike · 26th March 2008, 04:11

Quote: (Originally Posted by Ben Field)

What about diving the M2 with your twinset isolator shut and being so proud about how you still had 210bar left (according to the SPG on the shut and unused side) and the look on your face when it was opened and equalised to 105bar...... opps! (Admittedly that wasn't your fault as the then safety officer "opened" it for you prior to the dive

Sorry, couldn't help mention it....

ha ha been there done that!

I love that 'eeeeeeeyyyy' sound as the gas equalises through the valve

Drmike · 26th March 2008, 04:18

Ive done this a few times in the past on different rigs (jumping in with adv closed) - but since diving Boris you go through pre dive test procedure before every dive that includes ADV and manual inject test operation (as well as inflation gas check, which i dont do as run offboard) Most Boris users I know have grown to appreciate the prompted pre dive test procedures as you always know for sure you are entering the water before every dive with a functioning rebreather thats ready to go.

Well done for sharing your experience.

25th March 2008, 15:29	#11 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,023	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers One could see this coming. Coming to the site with parts and tools missing, assembly the night before with things not quite right even then, and diving with a cell reading high (sounds like too high) all set the tone for this or another potential incident. Glad you made it back to tell the story. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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25th March 2008, 16:08	#12 (permalink)
rewrites New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 60	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) ...I don't do rushed stressed gear prep. Back in the day when I did this is the sort of mistake id make. On one OC dive where I jumped in wearing a very negative set of 15s and two steel 10s for deco, I couldn't find my wing inflate the only thing that slowed my decent was hitting the sea bed Wing inflate was behind my head. ATB Mark Another very valid point! How many of us on a busy boat have felt pressured to kit up quickly and get in the water - particularly when the boat is full of OC divers? I take the same stance: I paid for my spot on the boat, so I'll make sure I'm prepped before jumping in. Good post, Håkan. Sure majority of us have been there - or very close at some point. __________________ Always running with scissors ~8~
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25th March 2008, 16:47	#13 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Diver Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,292	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers I'm always impressed by those who are willing to admit their mistakes. It's humbling but helps keep us all on our toes! have some green!! Several weeks back I got to a local dive site early to meat up with some new dive buddies for a night dive, went to buy some fish and chips before setting up, had my credit card denied and because we had a large chunk of money in our account to pay off our second mortgage I over reacted to the possibility of fraudulent activity. My anxiety jumped, I immediately called my bank, got put on hold for half an hour, held up the guys I was diving with, rushed to set up and got down to the water's edge for a buddy check only to have it pointed out that my o2 wasn't plugged into the head. That was an embarrassing but valuable reminder that it's all to easy to get distracted and that buddy checks really are a good idea. g __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
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25th March 2008, 17:04	#14 (permalink)
PhilSiswick WSKD 0001 Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 902	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers Quote: (Originally Posted by Gill Envy) I'm always impressed by those who are willing to admit their mistakes. It's humbling but helps keep us all on our toes! have some green!! Several weeks back I got to a local dive site early to meat up with some new dive buddies for a night dive, went to buy some fish and chips before setting up, had my credit card denied and because we had a large chunk of money in our account to pay off our second mortgage I over reacted to the possibility of fraudulent activity. My anxiety jumped, I immediately called my bank, got put on hold for half an hour, held up the guys I was diving with, rushed to set up and got down to the water's edge for a buddy check only to have it pointed out that my o2 wasn't plugged into the head. That was an embarrassing but valuable reminder that it's all to easy to get distracted and that buddy checks really are a good idea. g It's always going to be hard to give enough time to prep ourselves and our units, given that we have to work to pay for this hobby, plus get ourselves and our piles of kit to the site, working and on time. I'm concentrating more on multi-day trips these days to give me more time/relaxation to prep and more willingness to throw a dive. BTW, what is it about credit card fraud and diving. It's now guaranteed that every time I go to Scapa, I'll spend some time arguing about a fraud with my credit card company. 3 times out of 4 so far. The issue is that there is crap mobile coverage in the Orkneys, so it's hard to deal with. Cheers, __________________ Phil No comment on open circuit... it's an evolutionary dead end not really worth discussing here. Dave Sutton, 2007 I have always felt that the dive I am on is not nearly important as the dives I plan to be on the rest of my life. Tom Rose, 2007 www.hugsac.org.uk
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25th March 2008, 20:13	#15 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 954	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers Green sent! Turn on suit inflation You just helped me find something else that I need on my checklist. I am very thankful for your post. It may very well keep my butt bouyant. __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
(Online)

25th March 2008, 21:03	#16 (permalink)
Sutty Classic Kiss diver Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Glossop, Derbyshire, UK Posts: 780	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers Thanks for being big enough to post this! Most mistakes can be caught by a deliberate calm period before getting in the water, even if you've been rushed before this. This time includes a pre-breathe, during which you check you can raise and lower PO2 appropriately, and all your buoyancy chambers can fill and dump. Neil __________________ Never forget that life is a finite resource.
(Online)

25th March 2008, 22:58	#17 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 761	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers Quote: (Originally Posted by Håkan K) So what have I learnt after this ordeal? - It is really hard work swimming for the surface without bouancy help in BC and/ or drysuit. - It is not pleasant (to say the least) having shortage of breath. - Try stay cool, I didn't, when it gets tough. - It takes quite some time to recooperate after working hard without feeling you get the necessary gas into your lungs. - Always, Always turn on the suit inflation bottle. - Adjust the second stage Paragon so that it is adjustable when temperature does it necessary. - I wasn't as good diver as I thought I was.... I would add to the above... - Sacrifice the dive if/when things are just not going or feeling right. I've had my own close calls, just because of ..... plain stupidity caused by some distraction or disapointment of some kind. In my experience thus far, good dives go smoothly from kit prep to kit up. Cancelling a dive serves to "reboot" the psyche, and adds determination for success the next time around (and their will be a next time). __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com
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26th March 2008, 03:30	#18 (permalink)
PnL Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 173	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles) I would add to the above... - Sacrifice the dive if/when things are just not going or feeling right. I've had my own close calls, just because of ..... plain stupidity caused by some distraction or disapointment of some kind. In my experience thus far, good dives go smoothly from kit prep to kit up. Cancelling a dive serves to "reboot" the psyche, and adds determination for success the next time around (and their will be a next time). I would have to agree, you don't want to hit the water with less then normal confidence in your rig or your current psychological state (stress, anxiety, etc). There are plenty of dives to be had, and only one death to take it all away. Stay alive. Thanks for sharing your experience. __________________ SDTechDiving.com - A San Diego Technical Diving Community
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26th March 2008, 04:11	#19 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,128	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers Quote: (Originally Posted by Ben Field) What about diving the M2 with your twinset isolator shut and being so proud about how you still had 210bar left (according to the SPG on the shut and unused side) and the look on your face when it was opened and equalised to 105bar...... opps! (Admittedly that wasn't your fault as the then safety officer "opened" it for you prior to the dive Sorry, couldn't help mention it.... ha ha been there done that! I love that 'eeeeeeeyyyy' sound as the gas equalises through the valve __________________ Get a girlfriend you sad twat - a Rebreather is an unfaithful mistress - dont blind yourself to her faults just because she goes down on you
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26th March 2008, 04:18	#20 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,128	Re: Incident avoided thanks to responsive buddy divers Ive done this a few times in the past on different rigs (jumping in with adv closed) - but since diving Boris you go through pre dive test procedure before every dive that includes ADV and manual inject test operation (as well as inflation gas check, which i dont do as run offboard) Most Boris users I know have grown to appreciate the prompted pre dive test procedures as you always know for sure you are entering the water before every dive with a functioning rebreather thats ready to go. Well done for sharing your experience. __________________ Get a girlfriend you sad twat - a Rebreather is an unfaithful mistress - dont blind yourself to her faults just because she goes down on you
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