Sometimes nerves can do funny things. I have been in all kinds of tense situations underwater and have never panicked but this summer while whitewater rafting I ended up "swiming" in a relatively small rapid. I was out of breath from paddling and swallowed some water. Before long I panicked a bit and couldn't figure out why the boat wasn't picking me up. Long story short I was actually swimming away from the boat. I once saw an out of air diver orally inflate their snorkel while frantically treading water, and a diver plumet to the bottom while pressing their dump button instead of inflate and then swear their power inflator is broken. Mortal of the story I guess is nerves cause us to do funny things it happens to all of us.
Buoyancy problem I can't solve
- Thread starter on_two_wheels
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formula1mb@aol.com
Contributor
Were you guys swimming hard? Maybe just a CO2 buildup and mild panic.
OP
on_two_wheels
Contributor
EXCELLENT point that hadn't even crossed my mind!! That's why I asked here. Thanks!
Yes, boat provided the tank. No, it's not new. She's used a steel tank since day one.
Don't doubt yourself. You seem to have all the information you need. If the only change in the kit was the wetsuit, this was not an equipment issue. A new wetsuit replacing a rental wetsuit should make her more buoyant.
What's her level of experience? How about the dive site conditions? I'm guessing we're talking saltwater here and not fresh, correct?
I'm with you on thinking she panicked a bit and really wasn't thinking straight. I've been around enough divers that have panicked and to hear them tell the story is completely different than what I saw while assisting them. Adrenaline is a funny chemical, it makes us do weird superhuman and sometimes darwinian things. It's possible that she was very negative and tired at the same time while in a minor panick and out of breath as mentioned above. All those things combined at once could possibly lead to being very uncomfortable in the water.
That being said, I can't imagine that going from a rental suit to a new suit would've had that much to do with it. Additionally, the amount of weight she had on is staggering to me. That's a ton of weight to lug around and then get into the water with, it's possible she was exhausted by the time she made her entry. I know there's times when I dive my twin steel 100's with a couple stage bottles and do my entry with everything on that I'm tired by the time I hit the water and need to rest on the surface before continuing the dive.
I'd highly suggest a checkout dive in shallower water or the pool where there's less chance for the error chain to collapse.
I'm with you on thinking she panicked a bit and really wasn't thinking straight. I've been around enough divers that have panicked and to hear them tell the story is completely different than what I saw while assisting them. Adrenaline is a funny chemical, it makes us do weird superhuman and sometimes darwinian things. It's possible that she was very negative and tired at the same time while in a minor panick and out of breath as mentioned above. All those things combined at once could possibly lead to being very uncomfortable in the water.
That being said, I can't imagine that going from a rental suit to a new suit would've had that much to do with it. Additionally, the amount of weight she had on is staggering to me. That's a ton of weight to lug around and then get into the water with, it's possible she was exhausted by the time she made her entry. I know there's times when I dive my twin steel 100's with a couple stage bottles and do my entry with everything on that I'm tired by the time I hit the water and need to rest on the surface before continuing the dive.
I'd highly suggest a checkout dive in shallower water or the pool where there's less chance for the error chain to collapse.
Swimming up, possibly without a reference or relying on gauges, concentrating on ascent rate sometimes doesn't feel like coming up at all.
This combined with bcd inflation to initiate momentum, or not enough, and deflation on approach, requiring thought, added to exertion whilst trying to obtain enough air through a half inch by one inch pipe and then reinflating for optimal or excessive chest height on the surface is no fun at all.
This combined with bcd inflation to initiate momentum, or not enough, and deflation on approach, requiring thought, added to exertion whilst trying to obtain enough air through a half inch by one inch pipe and then reinflating for optimal or excessive chest height on the surface is no fun at all.
Bogie
Contributor
The standard buoyancy check 500 psi 15 feet for safety stop would be a good idea. Everyone is different so you just need to do your own testing.
35 lbs seems way too much. I use 26 lbs, male, 6'1" , drysuit.
35 lbs seems way too much. I use 26 lbs, male, 6'1" , drysuit.
I don't suppose the rental was a farmer john + jacket and her new suit was a jumpsuit?
captain
Contributor
This reinforces the need to do a weight check anytime a significant piece of gear is changed.
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