Chase or Let Fly?

[Web Monkey]

A few times over the past 4 years, I've been with a new buddy, and noticed that they had moved a few feet above me, and then instead of stopping, continued to accelerate and ended up on the surface after a very fast ascent.

Once I managed quickly pop up 10 feet or so, to grab a fin and dump air before they got away, but the other times, I decided that it was too risky for me to ascend fast enough to overtake the out-of-control diver.

What percentage of the time would you chase an out-of-control diver and what level of risk would you accept to do it? (Note that this is strictly recreational, not an instructor - student relationship)

The poll won't take multiple selections, so I'm not sure how useful this will be . . .

In fact, if there's a mod around, please kill the poll. It's pretty useless.

Terry

 

[jonnythan]

Let fly, making a safe slow ascent behind them.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Rule of thumb, mind you ... but I've had some occasions to use iit ...

... I'll chase a diver about halfway to the surface (from wherever the runaway ascent started) ... if I haven't managed to catch up with them by then, to the point where I can arrest their ascent, I'll let 'em go.

First rule of rescue ... don't turn yourself into a potential second victim.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[jonnythan]

I don't understand the poll options...

 

[freediver]

As a recreational diver self-preservation is my philosophy but as a Dad it would be hard to abide by and allow my child to ascend in jeopardy. This is a question with a lot of variables.

 

[skybird]

I don't understand why it would make a difference if it were a new buddy or a regular buddy.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I don't understand why it would make a difference if it were a new buddy or a regular buddy.

As Freediver pointed out, one of the factors would be how much you were willing to put yourself at risk for the other person ... for many, their relationship with that other person would impact that decision ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Mike Nelson]

Isn't that what a speargun is for? Poke a hole in their BCD and/or drysuit, and reel 'em in. They'll thank you for it later.

 

[String]

IT really does depend on the circumstances. Factors like

- What deco obligation do you have
- What deco obligation do THEY have (it could be different)
- What caused them to rocket
- Can you stop them or is it a lost cause
- Do they have some other problem that caused the rocket ascent that may need immediate attention on the surface

A few other things as well as that list. Its a personal call to make given the exact circumstances of the dive. There is no one rule fits all for this.

From my experience everytime ive seen a buddy or student do this i have chased, caught and stopped the ascent (by dumping air - no other problems). In one case i slowed until getting to 6m and then let the person go. I had deco, he didnt and i couldnt keep him down.

Its always worth a try. Often its only a case of a little bit too much air which can be dumped or if you stabilise them for a second it gives them a chance to dump it. Obviously someone pressing the "UP" button on their BC constantly is a different situation.

 

[Orlando Eric]

I chased a runaway from 50' to 26' once redlining my computer's ascent rate and grabbed him to swim him down to 35' before I could get the air dumped and stable.

It was a diver I had just met and he was my buddy that day. This is certainly a personal choice option and the amount of risk you take is up to you. I am of that type of personality that sticks his neck out for others though and would not recommend that to others.

In reference to the speed that I was ascending I was not at breeching speeds just well into that bouncing into and out of that *beep beep* Redlight redlight on and off speed.

He was headdown and swimming losing ground.

I have grabbed some others but saw the problem ahead of time and there was no chase involved.

my .02