Ok, as a novice diver (the ink is still drying on my c-card), I’m not going to even attempt to critique you. From what I can tell, it seems that you didn’t do anything that would be considered incorrect. So, I’m going to play the part of the female diver because I can so see myself here. Starting off, this might be a stupid question but…. I noticed that once you all hit the water, you started down. If this was her first dive of the day, wouldn’t she do a weight check before descent? Since this was her first time with a steel tank I would think that would have been in order. I know I’m reading a bunch of stuff into the video. But if we splashed down and my team has started the descent, then I may feel like I don’t have time for a check – I gotta keep up with my group. As this was my first deep dive then I am nervous anyway. Before splash down, I’m told that I don’t have gloves and need them, so I have to borrow some. (embarrassment that I look like a rookie). And then as I go down, I realize I’m over weighted. And to add to the fun, my mask is leaking like a sieve. I’m descending but going butt first and don’t feel in control. At this point, I’m frustrated and this is a precursor to panic.
Yes, I can see myself here. Last month on my first boat dive, I forgot to bring my booties. I had to borrow a pair from someone else. I slathered my face up with sunscreen. We splashed down and on the descent sunscreen started running to my eyes. They felt like they were on fire. I let some water into my mask to try to get rid of it. My mask flooded. My group is still descending. I can’t see crap - can’t see my computer, have no idea if I am at 10 feet or 100 feet. If my group is beside me or miles from me. Yes, I admit it – I panicked. My training was enough that I recovered without shooting to the surface. I totally removed my mask, rubbed the sunscreen out off my eyes, replaced my mask and cleared it. I saw my group close by and recovered. But the girl in your vid could have very easily been me.
Thanks for posting it. Your intent was was learn if you could have done something different. However, I walked away with a better perspective of problem management from the other divers point of view.
Yes, I can see myself here. Last month on my first boat dive, I forgot to bring my booties. I had to borrow a pair from someone else. I slathered my face up with sunscreen. We splashed down and on the descent sunscreen started running to my eyes. They felt like they were on fire. I let some water into my mask to try to get rid of it. My mask flooded. My group is still descending. I can’t see crap - can’t see my computer, have no idea if I am at 10 feet or 100 feet. If my group is beside me or miles from me. Yes, I admit it – I panicked. My training was enough that I recovered without shooting to the surface. I totally removed my mask, rubbed the sunscreen out off my eyes, replaced my mask and cleared it. I saw my group close by and recovered. But the girl in your vid could have very easily been me.
Thanks for posting it. Your intent was was learn if you could have done something different. However, I walked away with a better perspective of problem management from the other divers point of view.