Accident Averted thanks to Diver Joe

[eagleray2003]

Who in their right mind goes and does the first dive of the year on a deep wreck with current and doesn't check out their gear?
This diver should be pointed to the post "Diver Dies at Long Sault.

 

[mglasspo]

It's easy. You take a 20 ft long line and wrap it around each divers neck. Then the lead diver will be pulling along the other two if they're going to slow and at the same time giving them extra motivation to develop better fin technique

In case you haven't realized already, I'm joking.

 

[taz22]

Glad to hear that all worked out thanks to Diver Joe.

I do not like diving in "3's" and try to avoid it at all costs if possible. I will not dive as a threesome on a wreck dive as it is just not appropriate. Did the charter operator know that they were diving as a thressome? Did they have a Divemaster who could have buddied with the odd numbered diver? The Muskie is certainly not a dive you want to have a newbie AOW diving doing as their first dive of the year, kinda suprised that the operator didn't review the divers dive log book to see how many dives done, depth, experience etc.

 

[cat]

Congratulations to Diver Joe first, though
(I like option 3 - Navy divers are excellent diving acessories, even if they are hard to zip into their suits - Hi Joe! Missed you last weekend. )

In my short diving experience thus far I have been in a three a few times. It was only on the last occasion that I experienced how well it can work, if everyone's buddy skills are up to snuff. and there is good agreement as to how the three will work. The other occasions were.. not great.

One in front, two behind (side by side), everyone at the same depth with the one in front checking between her knees (hard to describe but easy to do if you're already horizontal) in a regular, frequent pattern, all keeping fairly close. If something happens to the diver in front, she'll slow down or stop and the other pair will be there in an instant. If something happens to one of the pair behind, they have a buddy right beside them and the leading diver will catch on in a couple of finstrokes maximum. Umm, unlikely to work if the lead diver has a camera. JMHO Cat

 

[Scubaroo]

If you can afford them, a super bright focused light like a HID makes a great communications tool. Obviously everyone needs to know the technique, but you can just watch your buddy's lightbeam to know that they are nearby, and a lightbeam moved in a slow circle should be answered by another slow circle, which is the okay signal. A rapidly moving sideways lightbeam is the give me your attention symbol.

It would certainly work better than diving is a set formation and continually looking around to do a visual on your buddy(s). Just keep their lightbeam(s) in view.

 

[Diver Joe]

Barb... You forgot the Faster than a Speeding Bullet part !!!

)

All these kind words are making my head swell...I will have to add an 8 pounder to my weight belt.

Thanks all, I was just in the right place at the right time and who knows maybe he would have controlled his ascent....on his own...
Although, judging by his body language/actions and his breathing rate I don't think that this would have been the case. He did calm down and relax when I made physical contact with him...and he didn't have any problems on the ascent, once we got going.

If I run into trouble/problems, I know I'd be happy to see a helping hand grab a hold of me....

When we dive we are all buddies, let's keep a good and helpful eye on each other.

Tah

 

[divebuddydale]

Joe:

Good Job... Glad you were around for this bloke (I always wanted to use the word bloke in a sentence )

Dale

 

[on my way wanda]

barb once bubbled...
Diver Joe is the Hero today!!!

Last night a group of divers were out on the Muskie and a diver became separated from his buddies (yes a threesome) and then realized he was low on air.
He tried to find someone to ascend with him but decided to go it alone (apparently his reg. was not breathing smoothly either).
He made it to the line and began a very rapid ascent.
In comes Diver Joe - Joe witnessed this situation and moved in quickly above the Low on air diver and intercepted him, calming him down and signalling share air. Joe dives with doubles and had lots to share.
The two made a nice controlled ascent up the line and all was fine in the end. This could have been a much more serious event but Joe's clear, calm thinking and actions saved the dive.
Thanks Joe, I'll dive with you anytime.

Lessons to learn:
1) Diving as three requires extra planning.
2) Don't get in the water if your equipment isn't operating
properly.
3) Optional (bring a Diver Joe with you on all your dives)

Way to go diver Joe
Diving as three is not easy, I have done it but we used a line and a dive flat, that worked out really well and we all stayed together throughout the dive.

 

[HappyDiversDen]

Instructors and DM's with students frequently dive in 3's ... but the dive leaders go first, so there's always someone behind them. So too with 3's in a recreational buddy team ... if that's your configuration, we teach that one diver always goes in front, and is watched by the following two divers ... and that they remain within arm's reach of each other throughout the dive. A tug on the lead diver's fin as is effective as a tap on the arm to the diver beside you.

Before anyone gets in the water though, don't forget THE DIVE PLAN, which includes an equipment check.

 

[Kevin R]

GUE teaches 2 or 3 person teams. If possible, the divers are side by side with the team leader in the middle, If not, light signal communication is used so that if the lead diver cannot see two lights in addition to his own, he knows that one of his teammates is missing and he immediatly looks for his missing team member.

It's not that hard folks, just keep it simple.

Kevin