Diver Big Jet Driver

[tropicaledit]

Hey all,

First, I'd like to give my condolences to the family of Big Jet Driver, and with all respect, I was wondering what was the circumstances surrounding his passing was? I'm a new to diving (21 dives) and fairly new to this site. I recall seeing statements about him being a very experienced diver, and yet that happened.

In my short time of diving, I've become strikingly apparent of the danger. However, I enjoy it very much. And I cannot see myself giving it up at this point because of the risk factor. What I find helpfull is reading about situations to watch out for, or someone with my level of experience wouldn't just initally think of.

 

[dive_lover88]

i'm also a newbie, but i have come to realise that bouyancy control is very important as it can potentially land you in big trouble. Another thing is to get your mask clearing and diving with out mask skills down to pat. It can help in preventing panic attacks in situations. I think the more experienced divers will cover this later.

 

[pilot fish]

Seems like a strange thread title. Not sure it's such a good idea to have an open discussion about a Board member fatality?

 

[jbd]

While the topic may seem unkind or inconsiderate or insensitive it can be a valid point of discussion. The problem though usually with these threads is that we don't have access to the the complete set of details surrounding the entire event. We are therefore typically relegated to nothing more than speculation about what happened.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

This is really a topic for the Accidents and Incidents forum. I believe this incident has been discussed there.

 

[Doc]

I cannot see myself giving it up at this point because of the risk factor. What I find helpfull is reading about situations to watch out for, or someone with my level of experience wouldn't just initally think of.

I would suggest that you don't give it up diving, then.

As far as stuff to look for, it's all in your books, in your instructors heads and in that of the others you dive with.

Look around you. Think, question, learn. Read. Analyze. Apply.

Read the Encyclopedia of Diving. Understand it. Read the DIR books. I'm not telling you to follow one gospel or the other, just take what works for you.

If you are looking to start a list of the ten things that kill divers you assume had gills, you are on the wrong track.

When the time comes for details to be released, estates and lawyers and insurance companies will have inked documents. Be patient, if it seems of value to you, so be it.

I have been diving since before there was air, and just last week I learned something new that I had never thought of. Much more useful here, though, was something my buddy learned.

At 85fsw, he believed he was out of air. We did a perfect shared air ascent.

What happened? My buddy's digital hoseless read 3000psi at pre-dive check, but he had the tank valve cracked a wee-tiny bit, a quarter turn. It breathed fine at surface, but at depth, it went bad.

This kind of thing will not happen with simple analog gauges (hoses and dials). With this simple hose & gauge, at pre-dive you will see the needle "bobble" with every breath, unlike the digitals which don't sense that fluctuation or display it.

Technology can kill you.

Actually, relying on technology is what kills you.

Or maybe your understanding (or not) of that technology is the "golden BB"

That will not keep you from saving up and buying the latest greatest shiniest coolest sexy SCUBA toy. You will fill your dive bag with useless stuff because, well- we all know that "chicks dig it". It starts with Sea Drops Gold defog, the HUB, Titanium everything, Spare Air, the latest Folding Salt Knife, $90 snorkels, Dry Boxes for your wallet, gloves or no gloves discussions, MOF Threads, and Force Fins vs Bio Fins. Task loading will kill you.

"Machines will fail, Louis. Machines will fail."-Burt Reynolds in Deliverance

K.I.S.S.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I don't know what happened in BJD's case. I can't even begin to speculate on it.

I do know that in the past few years 10 very experienced rebreather divers have perished. I don't know all the details, but considering this is a much smaller population of divers it has me really thinking. It would be nice to see more details on these tragedies to see if it is the machines that are causing them.

 

[tropicaledit]

Thanks for replies. Let me be clear. There is no disrespect meant by my thread. I am just wondering how things can or may happen even to the most experienced.

I know on one account, my own, where a "new experienced buddy" I was diving with, he had over 2000 supposed dives, I had 16. He basically was just going about the dive assuming I was doing fine, I wasn't. Problem was he was about 15 feet ahead of me and wan't paying much attention to his buddy (Me) in back of him. We were at around 65ft, after doing a penitration dive, which I wasn't even aware we were about to do, I was nervous and made a bad call, I followed him because of his experience. After coming out of the wreck my air was quite low because of my nervousness amoung other things. Anyway, before I could get his attention he takes off for another area, he was gettng farther and farther away, I finally caught up to him and made my air situation clear to him. We ascended, his advice ... we should try to take care of matters while DOWN, rather than ascend. I dont dive with this person anymore.

Point being, I'm trying to learn. If it seems insensitive to some. I don't know what to say. I like these threads, I find them very informative and helpfull. It's the small things that count. A small mirror on a drift dive. I never heard that in class.

Additionally, as a new student, I'll be watching and listening to accounts of experienced divers rather than intermediates.

 

[Ron Brandt]

Seems like a strange thread title. Not sure it's such a good idea to have an open discussion about a Board member fatality?

The discussion was closed at one time by family request.

Ron

 

[tropicaledit]

Then we should respect that. Thanks Ron for the info.