I actually was bruised up by a heard of stampeding sea horses once, it was a horrible experience and I would not reccomend diving in the 3 fathoms of Venice without an experienced wrangler ever again. As that write bye poster mentioned about returning with 1000psi is gospel to live by. That particular day the water was a calm errie glass conditions and the seas were clear, I was down to 400psi and 50 yards from shore in 3 fathoms of water. oHHH i just wanted to find that one meg , it all happened when I was down to 300psi and 28 yards from shore. The only thing I can remember is the rammada of ships going by at break neck speeds all around the flag, this I would suspect is what started the stampede, I then I saw this cloud of white and brown stuff heading towards me... I then glanced at my guage and saw I was down to 350psi and then I looked up and sea horses were all over me , I dont rememeber much after that , but, I did wake up rolling in the surf caused by the rammada of boats, I am not sure , but , I think the boats might have saved my life from being trampled.... as the wake must have lifted me and dropped me on the beach with 250psi still in my tank, I musta blacked out during the propulsion of the wake. If I headed back when I had 1000psi I wouldnt have risked my life against the stamped of sea horses. One thing I did notice and can pass this along if you see a flock of robin fish heading the same direction in a hurry , be ready ...it just might be the Venice stampede.
BTW I will be diving at 8:am tomorrow morning and will post the conditions