Diver dies in Islamorada

[carrielsal]

Yep,thats the way I do it,but not many people do.

A diver without fins is pretty much helpless.

Agreed

 

[Garrobo]

Like I said before, I've dove with Key Dives many times including last week (over 100 dives) and they are a very safe and professionally-operated shop. When they are hooked up to the buoy on the Eagle they run a granny line from the ship's buoy line to the rear of the boat. Also they throw a line with a small buoy off the back of the boat which goes out with the current along with a down line with a concrete disc on it. They provide a DM or instructor on every dive of no more than 6 divers. Many times the captain is left up top by himself, just like most operations. When a diver arrives at the back of the boat at the end of the dive they are told to hang on to the small buoy/current line, take off their fins while on this line, hand them up and THEN come aboard up the ladder. I had a shoulder operation a few years ago and they told me that they would remove ALL my gear while I was in the water if necessary. I am sure that this operator and this captain did whatever they or he could do in this terrible situation without risking any other person's life. Not only do I feel sorry for the husband and others it must have been very traumatic for this captain.

 

[kpdivers]

In 5-7's, I would NEVER have taken my gear off (never do anyway) in the water and would have had that reg in my mouth until safely back on board. My condolences to the family and friends.

 

[SC_Hoaty]

A few weeks back I was diving in the Keys with a different boat. With their ladder, one must doff fins before climbing aboard. Mine hang on my wrist as I ascend. One new diver (completed her OW dives during the few days on the boat) had knee issues, and could not board the boat via the ladder when geared up. She would hold the trailing line and doff not only fins, but also her tank/BCD/reg. I wonder what she would think, and how her diving habits would improve, if she were to read this thread?

 

[David_57]

I must be missing something as I do not understand how not having your fins on can cause you to drown, if I lost my fins I would lay back enjoy the view with reg in mouth and wait for the dive boat to come and get me.

 

[Ayisha]

I think they're saying that without your fins you would have even less control and less chance in a current to get back to the boat on your own steam. Many of us are control freaks. JK

 

[Scott L]

I must be missing something as I do not understand how not having your fins on can cause you to drown, if I lost my fins I would lay back enjoy the view with reg in mouth and wait for the dive boat to come and get me.

I got lectured for a similar comment made much earlier in the thread for good reason. Judging by your profile picture you are most assuredly in good shape and a strong diver/swimmer. A lot of other folks unfortunately do not fall into that category and thus must stack the odds in their favor however & whenever possible.

In rough seas I would not want to be without fins whilst in a doubles configuration including deco bottles. etc. The ability to keep ones head out of water and waves is very much diminished...

 

[stevep4444]

It is interesting to read other divers preferences and opinions on getting safely back onto boats. My preference is to remove my BCD (with integrated weights) in the water while using it as a floatation waiting for others to board. Having fins and a mask on is enough to make me comfortable in almost all conditions in the water. What else do you need, snorkel optional.I relax using the BCD as floatation but would feel comfortable without it as well. If conditions were to be unswimable for me I wouldn't be out there to begin with.If I put myself in conditions beyond my ability then I assume responsibility for that. Should someone else need assistance I would be very quickly able to put the equipment back on. After passing gear on to the boat ,I get a firm grip on the ladder , take one fin off, pass it up, while standing and holding on the ladder take the last fin off and easily climb the ladder with only a mask on. Even with larger waves I feel in control boarding this way. I do what is most reasonable under current conditions but that is safe and easy for me most times. There is risk associated with diving but anyone can sigificantly reduce risk by being physically able,havng proper and well maintained equipment and diving in conditions suitable for your ability,below and on top of the water. If I wasn't a strong swimmer I would probably not dive in rough waters or strong currents. The anxiety of knowing you are in over your head has got to take the fun out of the dive anyway.

 

[David_57]

I guess the point I am trying to understand is if you cannot make it back to the boat with or without fins the last thing I would want to do is exhaust myself trying as this can quickly turn bad. Even with doubles and deco bottle in current choppy surface conditions (St Lawrence river) I would make myself buoyant by adding just enough air to my BCD keep reg in mouth sit back and enjoy the view until the dive boat can come and get me, I have been there done it on many occasions although I did have my fins on guess I am lazy and would rather make the boat work a little harder

I say this also because when I was in Cozumel a couple years ago this happened to a diver who I did not know she started to freak when she let go the line and then realized without her fins she could not make it to the boat, she calmed down instantly when I told he to chill sit back and wait for the dive boat so we just floated together while having a conversation until the dive boat had everyone on board then came at got us, admittedly the surface conditions where fairly calm but I wondered after what if I had not been there as she was obviously out of shape and breathing very heavy.

I guess the point I am trying to make is sometimes we are our own worst enemy when the solution to our predicament is so easy.

 

[Thalassamania]

... One new diver (completed her OW dives during the few days on the boat) had knee issues, and could not board the boat via the ladder when geared up. She would hold the trailing line and doff not only fins, but also her tank/BCD/reg. I wonder what she would think, and how her diving habits would improve, if she were to read this thread?

Frankly I think it a good idea to get rid of all the encumbrance that you can before climbing a ladder (especially in a heaving sea) so I fail to see that keeping her tank/BCD/reg on would, on balance, have made her any safer. If it were a weight integrated BC then she'd float like a cork, if it were not, then then, being properly weighted, she should have not problem either, and if she were to have any difficulty she could then just drop her belt.