Electrocution in Madison Blue

MarcLaukien · 18th May 2008, 11:23

Two days ago, I was diving Madison Blue, together with John K. (jkaterenchuk). We first did the short traverse to Martz sink, and then started the Godzilla circuit.

When I placed the jump for the circuit, I suddenly felt a strong electric shock through my right arm. I was touching the cave wall with my right hand at this time. I was a little bit disoriented for a few seconds, and didn't really know if I imagined what just happened, or if it was for real. In any case, it was definitely a very "refreshing" experience, to put it mildly.

We completed the circuit without any further incidents. When we reached the basin, it became clear to me what happened: there was a huge thunderstorm above us. Staying in the water during such a thunderstorm wasn't a good idea, and neither was getting out really, given that we had lots of metal on our backs. Since the thunderstorm could last a long time (and it did), we got out of the water, and after dropping our gear, we made a run for the bathhouse, where other divers and the park warden already took shelter.

Once we arrived there, the others told us, that they had seen several lighting strikes very close to where the Godzilla room must be located. One of these lighting strikes must have made its way through the cave wall and my right arm.

I'm not really sure what the "lesson learned" from this incident is. Perhaps not to go cave diving if there is any chance that there could be a thunderstorm? Or perhaps no lesson at all, since this was a freak incident?

Also, let me use this opportunity to put to rest the myth that the HammerHead electronics couldn't withstand severe electrical shocks. My HH continued to work flawlessly after this incident.

-- Marc

**diverklondike** · 18th May 2008, 11:59

Marc,

Glad to hear that you and John are OK... Also glad to hear that the HH CCR came through with flying colors... Not sure that Kevin has had an oppertunity to test the unit for Electrocution via lightning... :D

Dive Safe

Mark

JCdesign97 · 18th May 2008, 13:08

Also glad to hear that everyone is Ok, Marc ... but I have a slightly different theory. Was John diving his Meg? Kind of coincidental that an electrical surge just happens to occur to a HH diver in this scenario. I can't help but wonder if that crazy canuck has the ISC-issued, HH-frying, EMF generator upgrade installed on his unit - he does seem to be going out of his way to dive with as many Optima and HH divers as possible on his southeast tour ...

Maybe the collective's new plan is to zap the competition, one diver at a time! :D

**diverklondike** · 18th May 2008, 13:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97)

Also glad to hear that everyone is Ok, Marc ... but I have a slightly different theory. Was John diving his Meg? Kind of coincidental that an electrical surge just happens to occur to a HH diver in this scenario. I can't help but wonder if that crazy canuck has the ISC-issued, HH-frying, EMF generator upgrade installed on his unit - he does seem to be going out of his way to dive with as many Optima and HH divers as possible on his southeast tour ...

Maybe the collective's new plan is to zap the competition, one diver at a time! :D

Nahhhhh... I understand why you think that could be the case but John's Meg is a member of the larger HH-Borg... It's a HammerMeg....

Dive Safe...

Mark

MarcLaukien · 18th May 2008, 13:40

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverklondike)

Nahhhhh... I understand why you think that could be the case but John's Meg is a member of the larger HH-Borg... It's a HammerMeg....

Dive Safe...

Mark

Actually, John was diving his Kiss. He didn't feel the electric shock at all, but he didn't touch the cave wall as I did when it happened (and he was several feet behind me).

I wear both HH handsets on the wrists, so the secondary handset was directly where I got the electric shock.

jkaterenchuk · 18th May 2008, 14:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97)

I can't help but wonder if that crazy canuck has the ISC-issued, HH-frying, EMF generator upgrade installed on his unit - he does seem to be going out of his way to dive with as many Optima and HH divers as possible on his southeast tour ...

Maybe the collective's new plan is to zap the competition, one diver at a time! :D

Is that why Eric asked me to bring a out of state Taser with me and to file off the serial numbers?:D

John

jkaterenchuk · 18th May 2008, 14:21

It was a great dive none the less.

I guess the learning might be the if you see your buddy's legs twitching it might not just be from CO2.

John

**Dsix36** · 18th May 2008, 14:27

Very happy to hear that everyone is OK.

Kind of puts a new perspective on diving with John this afternoon though:D

mempilot · 18th May 2008, 15:08

Quote: (Originally Posted by jkaterenchuk)

Is that why Eric asked me to bring a out of state Taser with me and to file off the serial numbers?:D

John

Discression, John. Discression. We said we would never talk about that.

I'm glad you guys are OK. Scary.

JonnyB · 18th May 2008, 21:28

Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97)

Also glad to hear that everyone is Ok, Marc ... but I have a slightly different theory. Was John diving his Meg? Kind of coincidental that an electrical surge just happens to occur to a HH diver in this scenario. I can't help but wonder if that crazy canuck has the ISC-issued, HH-frying, EMF generator upgrade installed on his unit - he does seem to be going out of his way to dive with as many Optima and HH divers as possible on his southeast tour ...

Maybe the collective's new plan is to zap the competition, one diver at a time! :D

I believe the electronics on John's Meg to be HH... So what conclusion does that give you?

/Jonny

18th May 2008, 11:23	#1 (permalink)
MarcLaukien RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Other Rebreather/s: Optima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South East Florida Posts: 257	"Electrocution" in Madison Blue Two days ago, I was diving Madison Blue, together with John K. (jkaterenchuk). We first did the short traverse to Martz sink, and then started the Godzilla circuit. When I placed the jump for the circuit, I suddenly felt a strong electric shock through my right arm. I was touching the cave wall with my right hand at this time. I was a little bit disoriented for a few seconds, and didn't really know if I imagined what just happened, or if it was for real. In any case, it was definitely a very "refreshing" experience, to put it mildly. We completed the circuit without any further incidents. When we reached the basin, it became clear to me what happened: there was a huge thunderstorm above us. Staying in the water during such a thunderstorm wasn't a good idea, and neither was getting out really, given that we had lots of metal on our backs. Since the thunderstorm could last a long time (and it did), we got out of the water, and after dropping our gear, we made a run for the bathhouse, where other divers and the park warden already took shelter. Once we arrived there, the others told us, that they had seen several lighting strikes very close to where the Godzilla room must be located. One of these lighting strikes must have made its way through the cave wall and my right arm. I'm not really sure what the "lesson learned" from this incident is. Perhaps not to go cave diving if there is any chance that there could be a thunderstorm? Or perhaps no lesson at all, since this was a freak incident? Also, let me use this opportunity to put to rest the myth that the HammerHead electronics couldn't withstand severe electrical shocks. My HH continued to work flawlessly after this incident. -- Marc Last edited by MarcLaukien : 19th May 2008 at 17:29.
(Offline)

18th May 2008, 11:59	#2 (permalink)
diverklondike Hammerhead CCR Current Rebreather/s: Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,999	Re: Electrocution in Madison Blue Marc, Glad to hear that you and John are OK... Also glad to hear that the HH CCR came through with flying colors... Not sure that Kevin has had an oppertunity to test the unit for Electrocution via lightning... :D Dive Safe Mark
(Offline)

18th May 2008, 13:08	#3 (permalink)
JCdesign97 My unit can beat up yours Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PA, USA Posts: 501	Re: Electrocution in Madison Blue Also glad to hear that everyone is Ok, Marc ... but I have a slightly different theory. Was John diving his Meg? Kind of coincidental that an electrical surge just happens to occur to a HH diver in this scenario. I can't help but wonder if that crazy canuck has the ISC-issued, HH-frying, EMF generator upgrade installed on his unit - he does seem to be going out of his way to dive with as many Optima and HH divers as possible on his southeast tour ... Maybe the collective's new plan is to zap the competition, one diver at a time! :D
(Offline)

18th May 2008, 13:30	#4 (permalink)
diverklondike Hammerhead CCR Current Rebreather/s: Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,999	Re: Electrocution in Madison Blue Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97) Also glad to hear that everyone is Ok, Marc ... but I have a slightly different theory. Was John diving his Meg? Kind of coincidental that an electrical surge just happens to occur to a HH diver in this scenario. I can't help but wonder if that crazy canuck has the ISC-issued, HH-frying, EMF generator upgrade installed on his unit - he does seem to be going out of his way to dive with as many Optima and HH divers as possible on his southeast tour ... Maybe the collective's new plan is to zap the competition, one diver at a time! :D Nahhhhh... I understand why you think that could be the case but John's Meg is a member of the larger HH-Borg... It's a HammerMeg.... Dive Safe... Mark
(Offline)

18th May 2008, 13:40	#5 (permalink)
MarcLaukien RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Other Rebreather/s: Optima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South East Florida Posts: 257	Re: Electrocution in Madison Blue Quote: (Originally Posted by diverklondike) Nahhhhh... I understand why you think that could be the case but John's Meg is a member of the larger HH-Borg... It's a HammerMeg.... Dive Safe... Mark Actually, John was diving his Kiss. He didn't feel the electric shock at all, but he didn't touch the cave wall as I did when it happened (and he was several feet behind me). I wear both HH handsets on the wrists, so the secondary handset was directly where I got the electric shock.
(Offline)

18th May 2008, 14:18	#6 (permalink)
jkaterenchuk . Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2006 Location: PA Posts: 1,564	Re: Electrocution in Madison Blue Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97) I can't help but wonder if that crazy canuck has the ISC-issued, HH-frying, EMF generator upgrade installed on his unit - he does seem to be going out of his way to dive with as many Optima and HH divers as possible on his southeast tour ... Maybe the collective's new plan is to zap the competition, one diver at a time! :D Is that why Eric asked me to bring a out of state Taser with me and to file off the serial numbers?:D John
(Online)

18th May 2008, 14:21	#7 (permalink)
jkaterenchuk . Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Classic Kiss Join Date: May 2006 Location: PA Posts: 1,564	Re: Electrocution in Madison Blue It was a great dive none the less. I guess the learning might be the if you see your buddy's legs twitching it might not just be from CO2. John
(Online)

18th May 2008, 14:27	#8 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: Optima rEvo Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 1,669	Re: Electrocution in Madison Blue Very happy to hear that everyone is OK. Kind of puts a new perspective on diving with John this afternoon though:D __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
(Offline)

18th May 2008, 15:08	#9 (permalink)
mempilot Eric Stadtmueller Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,740	Re: Electrocution in Madison Blue Quote: (Originally Posted by jkaterenchuk) Is that why Eric asked me to bring a out of state Taser with me and to file off the serial numbers?:D John Discression, John. Discression. We said we would never talk about that. I'm glad you guys are OK. Scary. Last edited by mempilot : 18th May 2008 at 15:12.
(Offline)

18th May 2008, 21:28	#10 (permalink)
JonnyB Johnny The Hatch Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Titan Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweden (Stockholm)/USA (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)/Cyprus(Ayia Napa) Posts: 1,034	Re: Electrocution in Madison Blue Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97) Also glad to hear that everyone is Ok, Marc ... but I have a slightly different theory. Was John diving his Meg? Kind of coincidental that an electrical surge just happens to occur to a HH diver in this scenario. I can't help but wonder if that crazy canuck has the ISC-issued, HH-frying, EMF generator upgrade installed on his unit - he does seem to be going out of his way to dive with as many Optima and HH divers as possible on his southeast tour ... Maybe the collective's new plan is to zap the competition, one diver at a time! :D I believe the electronics on John's Meg to be HH... So what conclusion does that give you? /Jonny
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode