Bad experience this AM

[SM Diver]

I rolled out of bed at 5:00AM to meet someone at the local grotto for a planned trip to 105 ft. I have been in that grotto before, but never below the 44ft platform. My deepest dive before today was spearfishing in 70 feet of water in the Gulf. I wanted to do some skills today, and see how 100+ felt.

On the way down the line we hit two thermoclines, and by the time I was at 50 there was zero visability. and I mean ZERO, like in a cave. For the first time, I am having to use the light on my computer, which annoyed me because it only stays on for 10 seconds a clip.

I get down to 105 feet, and went right by the platform, which was one foot from me. I see my depth on the computer, shine my light, and see the base of the thing right in front of my eyes.

I get on the platform and feel disoriented. Not panicking, but definitely not comfortable with the fact that I am in a state of mind that I have not experienced before while diving. I had a difficult time reading my guages, not just from the total blackness, but just feeling lethargic, and not as oriented as usual. I stand on the platform, thinking that if I can just get my bearings in the blackness, I'd be all right. My dive buddy is very experienced and is watching me. Finally, after three minutes, I'm not improving at all, which is now starting to cause some anxiety. It's like I'm in a tunnel, somewhat detached from the experience.

I then give the "not ok" hand signal, and indicate I'd like to ascend, at which time we make our way up. We have an unremarkable ascent, but I don't really feel that great again until about 50ft, when light appears.

I was really discouraged after the dive. It was my first bad dive, and the first time I've called a dive. I was looking forward to having no problems today at 100ft, and gaining additional confidence for this weekend. The fact that I have a fractured rib wasn't helping, either.

Nitrogen narcosis? Disoriented due to total blackness? Anxious about the dive because first time below 100'?

Can anyone relate similar experiences first time at or below 100'?

 

[Diversauras]

I had a similar situation several years ago, deep and dark and I wanted to go up. I did, I and I am here today, no problem. Since then I have hundreds of dives to 150++ and never had another similar experience.

It seems to me you were expecting to go deep, planned for it. The way you wrote it seems the low viz and the thremoclines were not expected. It may have been an overload but IMO if you had just had a better expectation of what was to happen and maybe a better plan, you would have been fine.

How may dives do you have, how long have you been diving?

Dark and/or low viz is always worse than the same depth in clear water. Don't worry about it.

 

[SM Diver]

dkigreg once bubbled...

How may dives do you have, how long have you been diving?

Thanks for your reply.

I only have about ten dives, most of which were in the Gulf down to 70 ft. Only been certified 8 weeks. Buddy said it would be dark, but I did not expect pitch black. Had I known, I could have reset the illumination settings on my computer to stay on longer. My last six dives have been in the Gulf from my boat, and all very warm water. I normally dive in t-shirt and trunks, even down to 70ft. The thermoclines caught me off guard because it was a lot colder than I expected, although I did have a wetsuit for the first time ever. I was cold at depth.

In fact, now that you mention it, going through that coldest thermocline seemed to correspond also with the start of the disorientation.

I don't think I was over anxoius. That feeling of being outside the moment was very freaky.

 

[The Chairman]

I suggest you listen to your anxiety and go slow... really slow! Try these variables ONE at a time, and not all together. I would work on dark first... that seems to be the biggest factor for many. Do several night dives and work on operating without a light on. This can even be done in a pool at night to make it even safer for you. Then add the variables as you go. Depth and cold seem to go together so you won't be able to seperate those two. Good luck and don't let this frustrate you. Diving deep in a hole AIN'T the same as diving deep in the W-I-D-E Blue ocean.

 

[chrispete]

The other thing is that you called the dive when things just didn't "feel right" - that was the right move.

 

[jepuskar]

Did you go through AOW? From your post seems like your deepest was to 70 ft before and I think AOW goes a little deeper so I will have to say your not.

Does sound like you dived past your certified limit.

Am I right?

 

[Fetch]

AOW actually only requires going down to 60'.

Quarry thermoclines can be extremely severe (little disturbance of the water to mix temp gradients up), which combined with darkness can create a feeling of extreme claustrophobia.

At that depth air is thick, and a fairly common narcosis sign is paranoia, which is exasperated by the claustrophobia already present.

The ocean should have less severe thermoclines and better vis... but then again, it might not. And you'll still have the narcosis problem.

If you have a dive light (not clear on that), keeping it pointed at an object at a few feet's distance might help alleviate a bit of the claustrophobia. Good insulation and foreknowledge helps with the thermoclines.

jepuskar: he very well could have been certified for this dive, with his dives to 70'. And he chose a good, experienced buddy, which shows a lot of foresight.

jeff

 

[SM Diver]

jepuskar once bubbled...
Did you go through AOW? From your post seems like your deepest was to 70 ft before and I think AOW goes a little deeper so I will have to say your not.

Does sound like you dived past your certified limit.

Am I right?

I think I'm going to have to take the 5th on that.

The 70' Gulf dives from before were solo, and exceeded the recreational limit. I know, not smart. I'm trying to hang around this board, hoping that some of the wisdom will rub off. AOW training starts 9/7 for me.

Yes, today had a very experienced buddy who is a certified instructor. Wouldn't have done such a dive any other way.

 

[Uncle Pug]

And you did well to call the dive... do not be discouraged by that.

BTW... careful spearfishing at 100'... you can get pulled deeper, while task loaded and with the potential to get tangled in line.

Just a thought... I know... folks do it all the time.

 

[jepuskar]

I thought Basic OW certifies you to 60ft...and AOW certifies you too 100ft?