Bahamas: Missing Female Diver

[Thalassamania]

Ah ... the sweet smell of competence.

 

[B-rant]

I have been reading this thread for a week and finally decided to weigh in. I am new to diving only 15 or so dives under my belt. I have been in the fire service for 15 year and have experiance dealing with combative people. I can tell you without a doubt, that after my 15 dive, that I feel I could handle hauling up a person that didn't want to go. I think I could position my self in a place that would keep me safe, ie.. keep air in my mouth, and head to the top. I have read some very good point and truely learned from the comments made.

Thanks,
Brant

 

[mikemath]

I have been reading this thread for a week and finally decided to weigh in. I am new to diving only 15 or so dives under my belt. I have been in the fire service for 15 year and have experiance dealing with combative people. I can tell you without a doubt, that after my 15 dive, that I feel I could handle hauling up a person that didn't want to go. I think I could position my self in a place that would keep me safe, ie.. keep air in my mouth, and head to the top. I have read some very good point and truely learned from the comments made.

Thanks,
Brant

Sounds like you have an intuitive grasp of the mechanics of how to do this, probably based on similar requirements to get control of the situation from your firefighting experience. Getting to the surface is a big part of any rescue (and in this specific case, it was a clear point of failure), but you also need to respond once you're there. With your background, you've got a leg up on most people, but all the same you may want to sign up for a Rescue Diver class to learn about dive-specific rescue techniques. Sorry for the minor thread hijack, I just want to make sure that it's clear to divers of all experience levels reading this thread that just because Thal can use his judgment and experience to haul someone up, doesn't mean everyone should do the same, even under similar circumstances, without training.

 

[mrlipis]

Originally posted by Thalassamania
Mrlipis, all the facts are not in, but from what is known I can not see where the DM was in any particular danger. While the tank valve is perhaps best, straps will work too. All that needed be done was to make contact, grab a hold, any hold, and establish positive buoyancy. While this may seem a daunting task to you, it really is not, and should be well within the capabilities of an Instructor. Perhaps you should defer a bit to those of us here who have considered, experimented with, practiced and teach the problem of how to handle a struggling victim underwater rather than believing that since it was not in your training it is impossible or impractical or some internet pipe dream.

Not sure if I should genuflex in awe of your superiority. I have read many of your posts and find most of your opinions to be acceptable. Your condescending arrogance is not. I have not defended the DMs actions. I have not suggested it is either impossible or a pipe dream to get a struggling victim to the surface. You have made it clear that your worst trained instructor would be able to handle a combative diver. I would not consider this as a rescue if the diver does not want to be helped. You or anyone else is not going to make a safe controlled ascent with a diver who does not want to go up. You have made some very blunt statements about controlling a diver. The scenario can not even be tested because it would be a dangerous scenario to play out. One thing for sure, there have been plenty of tandem deaths do to a struggling rescue. Another thing that is for sure, rescue divers are trained to NOT put themselves in danger.
Should I find myself in the unfortunate position to need to rescue someone, I can assure you I will not be daunted by the task and will perform as trained. Should I find myself in the situation where someone wants to kill themselves, sorry they aren't taking me with them.

 

[Thalassamania]

I just want to make sure that it's clear to divers of all experience levels reading this thread that just because Thal can use his judgment and experience to haul someone up, doesn't mean everyone should do the same, even under similar circumstances, without training.

I know that I can do it because I do the only things better than taking a good class and practicing: I teach it regularly (it's part of our entry level course) and I play victim for other instructors whenever I have the chance.

 

[TheAquaticApe]

,especially since I'm not in any position to do so and it's not in my nature. I'll genuflect to Thal's experience as he's been diving longer than I've been alive.

Do what you can to the best of your ability.

 

[Thalassamania]

I'd pass the complement on to those whose shoulders I was lucky enough to be permitted to stand on: Lloyd Austin, Lee Somers, Walt Hendricks, Sr., Jim Stewart and to those I learned the most from, my students.

 

[mrlipis]

Aquaticape,

Thanks for teaching me how to spell genuflect.

 

[TheAquaticApe]

But I had to look it up myself first.

 

[rubicon]

i know who this person is. she is a good friend of a friend, he ask me if i could find out more information. sounds like narcosis. going deep on a wall by accident is not uncommon. this is where buddy system is very important. something like this can happen very fast, until i get all the facts i don't want to put blame on the divemaster or instructor.