I thought I'd convey a story that the DM told me when I was diving the Big Blue Explorer in Palau.
The DM (Andre) and I were comparing and showing each other our Vytec dive computers and describing how each of us prefer to set our computers. One screen actually shows the deepest depth reached for all the dives...when I looked at his, my mouth dropped...
Andre (the DM) was taking a group out diving and was in the back of the pack. As with each dive, they discussed the profile and max. depth. Andre was keeping an eye on everyone and noticed one of the divers missing. He looked around and signaled the lead DM that one diver was missing. Looking down he saw the diver DEEP beneath them. He knew this wasn't good. He went after the diver and approached him and signaled to ascend. The diver (who I'll refer to as moron) shook his head no. Andre pointed at his computer and was obviously getting upset at the moron since he knew this was a very dangerous situation...
You see, they were at 251 ft. That's what the depth on the Vytec displayed.
After a third attempt, the moron finally agreed and they began to ascend. Of course now, they're in DECO. Andre said his Vytec was beeping like crazy and luckily the lead DM had already aborted the dive and dropped tanks for the guys to use since the DECO was going to use up their existing air.
Once the dive was completed, Andre calmly asked the moron what he was thinking... "I just wanted to see what was down there." and acted like it was no big deal. He also claimed that the guy didn't show signs of "happy fins" at depth. The guy was just arrogant and stupid. The boat manager did have a "discussion" with the moron and he didn't attempt his tactics again.
I asked Andre would he do it again? Andre said, yes...but only if the visibility was clear enough to see someone at depth like it was that day. He did say he regretted it later for going after this moron. Seems that the guy got busted for drug trafficing 2 months later and was sentenced to 10 yrs. in the Phillipines.
So there it was 251 ft. displayed on his Vytec. We just kind of stared at it for a moment in silence...reflecting.
"You know..." Andre said "I kind of wish the Vytec wouldn't remind me of that"
We both half-heartedly chuckled.
The DM (Andre) and I were comparing and showing each other our Vytec dive computers and describing how each of us prefer to set our computers. One screen actually shows the deepest depth reached for all the dives...when I looked at his, my mouth dropped...
Andre (the DM) was taking a group out diving and was in the back of the pack. As with each dive, they discussed the profile and max. depth. Andre was keeping an eye on everyone and noticed one of the divers missing. He looked around and signaled the lead DM that one diver was missing. Looking down he saw the diver DEEP beneath them. He knew this wasn't good. He went after the diver and approached him and signaled to ascend. The diver (who I'll refer to as moron) shook his head no. Andre pointed at his computer and was obviously getting upset at the moron since he knew this was a very dangerous situation...
You see, they were at 251 ft. That's what the depth on the Vytec displayed.
After a third attempt, the moron finally agreed and they began to ascend. Of course now, they're in DECO. Andre said his Vytec was beeping like crazy and luckily the lead DM had already aborted the dive and dropped tanks for the guys to use since the DECO was going to use up their existing air.
Once the dive was completed, Andre calmly asked the moron what he was thinking... "I just wanted to see what was down there." and acted like it was no big deal. He also claimed that the guy didn't show signs of "happy fins" at depth. The guy was just arrogant and stupid. The boat manager did have a "discussion" with the moron and he didn't attempt his tactics again.
I asked Andre would he do it again? Andre said, yes...but only if the visibility was clear enough to see someone at depth like it was that day. He did say he regretted it later for going after this moron. Seems that the guy got busted for drug trafficing 2 months later and was sentenced to 10 yrs. in the Phillipines.
So there it was 251 ft. displayed on his Vytec. We just kind of stared at it for a moment in silence...reflecting.
"You know..." Andre said "I kind of wish the Vytec wouldn't remind me of that"
We both half-heartedly chuckled.
