Accident Averted thanks to Diver Joe

[barb]

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)

 

[eagleray2003]

Was the diver capable of doing this dive?Do him and his buddy not review buddy proceedures?
I would say another close call that could have been avoided, but good goin Diver Joe it is a good thing somebody was on the ball.

 

[Big-t-2538]

Diving threes always is a little tricky, but with communication it works.

Good to hear an accident was avoided....

 

[Scuba_18]

Having dove in threes several times, I know that the communication is a key. THe problem with the three is generally one person is looking at two while the others watch one each. I have been seperated from a threesome once and luckily I had air and could surface after the customary 1 minute search.

Good catch diver dave.

 

[epconti]

Way to go, Joe!

- eric

 

[annie]

Hi

What is the best way to dive a threesome? I think 2 in front and one behind is totally wrong . . ..I would try to make sure that it's one in front with the other two watching him/her and eachother. What do you think.

 

[barb]

at least on a wreck, is that it's almost impossible to stay side-by-side so the group seems to naturally end up diving single file. The problem then is that the lead diver dictates the speed and can easily end up turning around to find that there are no divers behind him (separated). Also, it's not much fun constantly checking behind you or above you if one of the divers stays slightly higher.
Communication is always important and again much trickier with three. I find I that on the whole I don't enjoy dives as three as much as a buddy pair and I use my air a little faster (I guess I'm more anxious).
I'm glad everything worked out in this particular dive.
I did'nt know the diver in question so can't say if he had the correct training for the dive.
The charter did check people's certification and warned about the conditions and reminded divers it was an advanced dive so really it was the divers' choice. Maybe, when he noticed his reg. acting oddly he should have aborted the dive - I wonder if peer pressure was a factor. I know I have continued with dives a little longer than I wanted to so as not to ruin my buddy's dive. I realize that is a mistake but when you drive a long way and pay money for a charter it's hard to give up the dive !!

 

[eagleray2003]

Easier to give up a dive than to give your life.

 

[j-valve]

The diver in question is a new AOW, and his first dive this year. I dove with Joe a couple of weeks ago and he is a well trained, cool headed diver.

Good work joe

J

 

[canuckdiver]

well done joe! Always knew you were a stand-up guy

BTW barb, nice meeting you last weekend!