dbulmer
Contributor
Just in case anyone has not seen this? BSAC 2003 incident reports.
http://www.bsac.org/techserv/increp03/intro.htm
http://www.bsac.org/techserv/increp03/intro.htm
BSAC 2003 Incident reports
- Thread starter dbulmer
- Start date
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Some interesting stats on there.
Again DCI is the highest category and surface is the second although a slight overall reduction in incidents.
11 fatalities although worth noting the recent ones in October are in next years figures.
A few things that stood out on my brief skim, the depths at which incidents ocurred seems to hint the 20-30m range was the most likely which is surprising as this is generally seen as a "safe" depth.
However the graphs show number of incidents not a % relative to total number of dives. Id hazard a guess there are far more dives to 20-30m than 30m+ and this could skew the stat.
As a note though, given the report is unable to compare the number of incidents to the total number of dives for a specific grade/depth and so on they arent as informative as they could be.
Injuries directly related to the deployment of a DSMB seem down on last year.
Again DCI is the highest category and surface is the second although a slight overall reduction in incidents.
11 fatalities although worth noting the recent ones in October are in next years figures.
A few things that stood out on my brief skim, the depths at which incidents ocurred seems to hint the 20-30m range was the most likely which is surprising as this is generally seen as a "safe" depth.
However the graphs show number of incidents not a % relative to total number of dives. Id hazard a guess there are far more dives to 20-30m than 30m+ and this could skew the stat.
As a note though, given the report is unable to compare the number of incidents to the total number of dives for a specific grade/depth and so on they arent as informative as they could be.
Injuries directly related to the deployment of a DSMB seem down on last year.
OP
dbulmer
Contributor
String,
As an inexperienced diver who is no longer a Stoney Cove virgin (
) I was interested in the ascent section.
I managed a couple of feet first ascents at Stoney in 6m - first time in cold water in a drysuit and I have quite a bit of learning to do. My ascents were not too quick but I did have difficulty getting out of the ascent. I guess practice makes perfect.
Another thing I found is that the experienced are just as likely to make a mistake through complacency as a beginner like me is due to ignorance. There also seemed to be quite a few free flow incidents which makes me wonder how frequent this can be?
On my own dives the only thing that got me anxious was OOA exchange because at one point I had difficulty in getting the reg back in my gob because my hood was providing an obstruction. The dive buddy calmed me down as even I could feel my eyes getting wide!!!
One good piece of news for me personally is that I used to have a mask removal phobia I even asked for advice here - well I did 2 mask removals at 6m in 9C at Stoney so I am getting past it as I didn't find it too stressful though my buoyancy was truly awful - another thing to work on as this appears to come up in the reports as well.
As an inexperienced diver who is no longer a Stoney Cove virgin (
) I was interested in the ascent section. I managed a couple of feet first ascents at Stoney in 6m - first time in cold water in a drysuit and I have quite a bit of learning to do. My ascents were not too quick but I did have difficulty getting out of the ascent. I guess practice makes perfect.
Another thing I found is that the experienced are just as likely to make a mistake through complacency as a beginner like me is due to ignorance. There also seemed to be quite a few free flow incidents which makes me wonder how frequent this can be?
On my own dives the only thing that got me anxious was OOA exchange because at one point I had difficulty in getting the reg back in my gob because my hood was providing an obstruction. The dive buddy calmed me down as even I could feel my eyes getting wide!!!
One good piece of news for me personally is that I used to have a mask removal phobia I even asked for advice here - well I did 2 mask removals at 6m in 9C at Stoney so I am getting past it as I didn't find it too stressful though my buoyancy was truly awful - another thing to work on as this appears to come up in the reports as well.
Disclaimer:- Im not an instructor or particulary experienced in my view so the below is a personal opinion only.
With all those comments, practice makes perfect. Regarding feet first ascents - not good. Are you sure your weighting is correct ? You do know the recovery procedures ? If the above 2 are correct (i) does the drysuit fit properly (ii) considered ankle weights ?
As for the complacency comment, its a good call. There is a lot of it about and im as guilty as most. As im in a club and tend to dive with the same 2 or 3 people all the time occasionally our buddy check is "Same kit as usual? Yep.. Air on ? Ok. Lets go". Definately the wrong way to go about it, i wouldnt recommend it to anyone but most people i know do this.
As for freeflows, it depends vastly on equipment used. A bit of dirt and grit can cause them. I have been on a boat where 1 person has experienced 1 freeflow this year and thats it. Cold water can also increase the risk, the regs have to be cold water certified. Other common rules like not breathing out of or purging the reg in the cold air before entering the water come into play. Generally though its rare and not a massive problem.
As for the hood getting in the way, again practice will cure it. You get to slowly customise and get used to your cut and you will come against problems like that and work round them. Training isnt the issue here, its purely familiarity and experience. Example i only recently discovered my main method for DSMB deployment didnt work in total 0 vis and high currents - fingers too numb to undo the bolt. Ive now rejigged that particular setup.
Buoyancy again comes with practice.
Mask removal is another essential skill that needs to be practiced often. In stoney and northern climbs its usually the feeling of ice cold water hitting the face that makes it unpleasant or involuntarily sucking in when it hits.
The simple solution to all these problems is dive, dive dive. Get experience, enjoy it and the sticking points will be smoothed over.
With all those comments, practice makes perfect. Regarding feet first ascents - not good. Are you sure your weighting is correct ? You do know the recovery procedures ? If the above 2 are correct (i) does the drysuit fit properly (ii) considered ankle weights ?
As for the complacency comment, its a good call. There is a lot of it about and im as guilty as most. As im in a club and tend to dive with the same 2 or 3 people all the time occasionally our buddy check is "Same kit as usual? Yep.. Air on ? Ok. Lets go". Definately the wrong way to go about it, i wouldnt recommend it to anyone but most people i know do this.
As for freeflows, it depends vastly on equipment used. A bit of dirt and grit can cause them. I have been on a boat where 1 person has experienced 1 freeflow this year and thats it. Cold water can also increase the risk, the regs have to be cold water certified. Other common rules like not breathing out of or purging the reg in the cold air before entering the water come into play. Generally though its rare and not a massive problem.
As for the hood getting in the way, again practice will cure it. You get to slowly customise and get used to your cut and you will come against problems like that and work round them. Training isnt the issue here, its purely familiarity and experience. Example i only recently discovered my main method for DSMB deployment didnt work in total 0 vis and high currents - fingers too numb to undo the bolt. Ive now rejigged that particular setup.
Buoyancy again comes with practice.
Mask removal is another essential skill that needs to be practiced often. In stoney and northern climbs its usually the feeling of ice cold water hitting the face that makes it unpleasant or involuntarily sucking in when it hits.
The simple solution to all these problems is dive, dive dive. Get experience, enjoy it and the sticking points will be smoothed over.
OP
dbulmer
Contributor
String,
The problem I had was more with not dumping air properly from the stab - should know proper weighting this week in a pool. I was told I need some more practice but heh that's more diving!!!
Once the weighting is sorted I very much doubt I'll need them - it's the familiarity I need as you point out - also I shall be probably using some turtles. And yes I know the recovery procedure but I need to practice it more ! My problem was 1) not dumping air properly from the bottom of the stab 2) Not finning down properly c) and for me perhaps most importantly not anticipating changes in buoyancy but reacting too late.
Ta for the advice. I appreciate it.
The problem I had was more with not dumping air properly from the stab - should know proper weighting this week in a pool. I was told I need some more practice but heh that's more diving!!!
Once the weighting is sorted I very much doubt I'll need them - it's the familiarity I need as you point out - also I shall be probably using some turtles. And yes I know the recovery procedure but I need to practice it more ! My problem was 1) not dumping air properly from the bottom of the stab 2) Not finning down properly c) and for me perhaps most importantly not anticipating changes in buoyancy but reacting too late.
Ta for the advice. I appreciate it.
I tend to use my dry suit for buoyancy. On single tanks its a perfectly acceptable solution. Saves managing 2 air sources at once which you seem to be at the moment. Personal preference again then though.
If you ARE overweighted you'll have more air in your suit, more migration and more chance of uncontrolled/fast ascents or inversions. Get the waiting sorted out, the rest will follow.
If you ARE overweighted you'll have more air in your suit, more migration and more chance of uncontrolled/fast ascents or inversions. Get the waiting sorted out, the rest will follow.
OP
dbulmer
Contributor
String,
Yep use BC for buoyancy - should get the weight sorted today.
Yep use BC for buoyancy - should get the weight sorted today.
Wish I had been there, buddy pair Mr Laurel and Mr Hardy.the_dumper once bubbled...
I think I would have wet myself laughing if this happened to my buddy....
I saw a big pacific octopus try to snuggle with my buddy once. It got all wrapped around his arm and shoulder and I was a little worried that it was going to try pulling his mask and regulator out. Trying to peel an octopus away when it doesn't want to go is also a bit of a lost cause. Pull one leg off and the one you just pulled away is back on again.....
R..
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