Went down to the Dive Park, geared up and dropped down solo to the wrecks at 70 ft. looking for the black sea bass. About three minutes into the dive my reg starting sucking hard... immediately. Full breath one minute, no breath the next. Tried my octo... no air. Inflator... same.
At 70 ft. and I'd been too lazy to attach my pony bottle. Instinctively I started towards the surface, trying to keep it as slow as I could but getting no air from my reg I couldn't be too slow.
After what seemed like minutes during which I remained calm and faced what I thought might be my death, I reached the surface out of breath. I was surprised at how calm I remained (although I don't panic in emergencies, at least to date).
At first I thought the air fill station had failed to properly fill my tank. Then I realized I had checked my gauge (such an instinctive thing I had forgotten I did it) and ther had been 3200 psi at the start.
My reg had been rebuilt 2-3 weeks ago, but had been functioning fine. Did two dives with it yesterday, one to 60 ft. with no problems. All I can gather from the incident was the first stage abruptly stopped delivering air. When I reconnected it later at the surface, it worked fine (although I didn't dive again today).
Other than feeling a little lightheaded after the dive, I notice no symptoms. Was only at depth for about two minutes so the bends seems highly unlikely. Initial light headedness may have been microbubbles. I exhaled what little I had in my lungs as I ascended so should be safe from embolism.
I've attached the dive profile from my computer.
Any precautions suggested from the Doc or others would be welcome since I plan to dive tomorrow and Monday. First time anything really serious has happened in 41 years of diving. My pony bottle is being surgically attached to my thorax as I write.
Thanks.
Dr. Bill
At 70 ft. and I'd been too lazy to attach my pony bottle. Instinctively I started towards the surface, trying to keep it as slow as I could but getting no air from my reg I couldn't be too slow.
After what seemed like minutes during which I remained calm and faced what I thought might be my death, I reached the surface out of breath. I was surprised at how calm I remained (although I don't panic in emergencies, at least to date).
At first I thought the air fill station had failed to properly fill my tank. Then I realized I had checked my gauge (such an instinctive thing I had forgotten I did it) and ther had been 3200 psi at the start.
My reg had been rebuilt 2-3 weeks ago, but had been functioning fine. Did two dives with it yesterday, one to 60 ft. with no problems. All I can gather from the incident was the first stage abruptly stopped delivering air. When I reconnected it later at the surface, it worked fine (although I didn't dive again today).
Other than feeling a little lightheaded after the dive, I notice no symptoms. Was only at depth for about two minutes so the bends seems highly unlikely. Initial light headedness may have been microbubbles. I exhaled what little I had in my lungs as I ascended so should be safe from embolism.
I've attached the dive profile from my computer.
Any precautions suggested from the Doc or others would be welcome since I plan to dive tomorrow and Monday. First time anything really serious has happened in 41 years of diving. My pony bottle is being surgically attached to my thorax as I write.
Thanks.
Dr. Bill
