DARK NARC on AOW dive

[AfterDark]

IMO the two most important things you learned were:
"All of that being said, this was a huge learning experience for me and it taught me to follow my judgment over anyone else's. I will never be rushed again. Period."

"I will never again let anyone tell me I can not ascend to a level I know will clear my head."

Remember those whenever you dive even if you’re diving with the ghost of Jacques Cousteau!

Glad you made it back. Sounds like you were in a bad and dangerous place for a while.

 

[Lopez116]

I agree the instructor should have let him thumb the dive. If you're the OP and the instructor won't let you, what do you do? Does your analysis of the situation change if there is a current running and you likely won't surface with the group?


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[chillyinCanada]

Why wasn't OP more comfortable at depth? He didn't need his extra weight down there?

While I don't understand the instructor's response, potentially the instructor wasn't understanding his student believing it would make OP feel better to be with the instructor. Perhaps thinking OP would thank him later when he got his AOW cert. Obviously the instructor made the wrong determination.

I'm also curious about the overall loss of memory and bad taste to the gas. Things thst make ya go hmmm . . .?

 

[Twisted Bones]

Why wasn't OP more comfortable at depth? He didn't need his extra weight down there?

While I don't understand the instructor's response, potentially the instructor wasn't understanding his student believing it would make OP feel better to be with the instructor. Perhaps thinking OP would thank him later when he got his AOW cert. Obviously the instructor made the wrong determination.

I'm also curious about the overall loss of memory and bad taste to the gas. Things thst make ya go hmmm . . .?

I am comfortable at depth and have no fear of the deep in and of itself. I was uncomfortable with the situation I was in with my physiological symptoms. The taste was not the gas but an effect. If you have ever passed out due to an injury you will know what I am talking about. That was the exact taste I was getting in my mouth and is what concerned me the most. I lost my weight pouch, I think it probably happened during the splash. Not sure. I am very close on my needed weight and have what I would consider very good control of my buoyancy.

---------- Post added December 10th, 2013 at 08:51 AM ----------

I agree the instructor should have let him thumb the dive. If you're the OP and the instructor won't let you, what do you do? Does your analysis of the situation change if there is a current running and you likely won't surface with the group?


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luckily there will be a next time and I will end the dive right then and there should anything go awry. Had there been a stronger current then yes my plan would have been different. Ascending is still the right option taking into account the current and locating a suitable point to hold on while regaining control of the situation. Should it turn into a drift dive, ascent would be controlled with a safety stop and SMB deployed.

 

[divin'dog]

Twisted Bones, I'm curious as to what kind of briefing was given? You don't mention any. What was the dive plan given? Was communication briefed in predive? i.e. how to indicate a problem or call the dive. Didn't someone ask for an OK at the bottom while everyone was grouped and before swimming off? Were there 2 instructors and did they assemble and responsibly check who was going to follow them at that time? It's an aow class and assuming that the students don't have any problems is asking for trouble.

Also, another ingredient in the series of problems that wasn't listed... you had some narc going on, affecting your decisions at that depth. It will affect you more than you think.

You mentioned that you talked to the instructor after the dive and he said you looked fine... Did you have a more in depth conversation about what really happened. That would help you and him next time you both come upon a similar situation.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I agree the instructor should have let him thumb the dive. If you're the OP and the instructor won't let you, what do you do?

An instructor should NEVER overrule a thumb without some seriously compelling reason ... as in, surfacing now would put you in more jeopardy than you can possibly be in down here.

Does your analysis of the situation change if there is a current running and you likely won't surface with the group?

No ... current will put you away from the boat, but on the surface. You often won't KNOW why someone's giving you a thumb ... although you will probably assume you do. What if keeping them down is more threatening than allowing them to ascend with the current?

The assessment you have to make is which is safer ... surfacing with the group or surfacing right now? The answer will depend on the circumstances, and the person calling the dive is generally in a much better position to make that decision than an outside observer ... because they're the only one who knows for certain why they're tossing a thumb.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Twisted Bones]

There was a pre-dive briefing. It only went over how to leave the boat and use the rope to get to the buoy then down to the ship. The current was going to decide the route taken once down there. I was just starting to check my equipment when the group took off. So my gear check fell to the way side. My mistake. There were two instructors but one took off in the other direction with another dive not in the class. They are the ones I accidentally followed at first. I have not had a chance to speak with the instructor 1 on 1 yet.

 

[Matt S.]

Have you ever had a problem with anxiety attacks, OP? That is what I thought of when I read your description of tingling face and narrowing vision.

 

[iamrushman]

thread read and noted...... glad all worked out for you. glad you live to dive another day.

 

[Twisted Bones]

Have you ever had a problem with anxiety attacks, OP? That is what I thought of when I read your description of tingling face and narrowing vision.

No. I am not very excitable by nature. Even under stress I am deceivably calm. At one point In life I was on adrenaline meds just to bring me up to average. Have not taken those in years.

Matt