BCD failure at 100 feet

[nimoh]

If you don't feel that an Emergency Buyoant Ascent would be safe, you need to either modify your equipment configuration and training to make sure it's never necesasary. Open Water safety procedures are built on the assumption that you can immediatley surface at any time.

This might mean rearranging your weight system so you can drop only as much as needed, or switching to a drysuit so you can eliminate the buouancy change on ascent, or switching to redundant gas so you don't have to ascent in an emergency.

Although I understand what you are trying to say, as written, it is not technically correct. You still need a safe ascent rate.

 

[flots am]

Although I understand what you are trying to say, as written, it is not technically correct. You still need a safe ascent rate.

By "immediately" I meant "at any time" not "using any ascent rate". Obviously it's not safe if the user teleports to the surface or breaches like Free Willy.

 

[Splitlip]

Although I understand what you are trying to say, as written, it is not technically correct. You still need a safe ascent rate.

I read it as " surface when required".

 

[bada3003]

Thanks for the post. Interesting discussion that highlights the need for training in case of BCD failures.

One item I don't get or don't see emphasized: unless I missed something, you didn't drop any weights when you realized the potential (well, it was already real) danger you were facing? Someone mentioned against dropping all weights in such situations due to possibility of uncontrolled ascent. But why not drop some weights to help reduce negative buoyancy, esp. since part of the weights seemed to be quick release/integrated?

I wasn't there so can't argue against your evaluation that you were not panicked. But someone mentioned that not using SMB may be an indication of narcosis. I wonder if not dropping any weights at all -- the basics of basics of when faced with a negative buoyancy situation -- and just forging ahead were not signs of poor decision making. What if you had not found your reel and ascent line? In many accident reports, one finds Murphy's law kicking in. Glad it didn't happen in your case and thanks again for sharing your experience.

Thanks for all the positive input. I sincerely hope that that this thread helps to enlighten other divers of the potential problem and how to go about handling it. Other than dumping weights, I don't remember a failure of this type ever being covered in several training classes I have attended. I may have missed something though.
Several questions have been asked up to now and I will try to answer them.

My BCD was checked on the surface as well as when I exited the boat. I even resurfaced to retrieve a forgotten item. I was on the bottom for several minutes before things went south.

I agree that I was probably heavy based on information I have retrieved from my logbook on previous dives.
With a couple of quick release weights as well as others that would take only a minute to get to, I could have lost 2-3 lbs easily at any time.
I thought about this option but decided that it wasn't necessary as I was making progress and my gas supply was in good shape.
Still, I will be lighter next time.

The BCD failed at the inflator connection on my left shoulder. It was a simple 3/4 inch screw on cap with a vent.
.

Several folks have talked about a lift bag or sausage. Hate to say it but I just forgot it was there. I never trained for this event and was making it up as I went along..
Again, that is the purpose of this type of dialogue. It promotes thought so others can learn from our mistakes or short comings.

In retrospect, I agree I burned way to much gas attempting to swim up and intercept the anchor line off the bottom.
Even though I could see my line below me leading me to the anchor it was just too much work that added to the stress level.
I had a direct, marked route to the anchor and should have just crawled it out. Just didn't consider that option at the time. I will know next time.

There was a question about this event over a wall or very deep water. Probably wouldn't be solo there as well as looking to dump weight as a last resort if I had run out of the other options that have been mentioned here.

I don't see me or anyone I dive with ever diving again without some sort of additional buoyancy device and knowing how to use it after this experience.

Thanks for the advice and keeping it positive.

 

[Splitlip]

My mistake.

No worries. The statement was pretty much buried in the thread.
As you stated earlier, pull dumps are fine if used correctly. (Pull on the inflator). Time and time again I've seen even experienced divers pulling on the hose with two hands in an attempt to control buoyancy.
Regards. Tim