Diver in travel group kept running out of air and sharing on every dive?

[boulderjohn]

As to air share to extend dives, it was not uncommon to see this in Cozumel with a dive op known for longer dives but it was the guide sharing the air.

I led a dive trip there, and I assume we are talking about the same operation.

Their policy was that when a diver got down to 1,000 PSI (still plenty in a 100 or 120 cubic foot tank), that diver would continue on the guide's long hose until a second diver got to 1,000 PSI, at which point the original diver would go back on his or her own tank, and the group would ascend. Thus, no one was ever low on air before beginning the ascent.

When we did it on the trip I led, we amended the policy. the first diver to 1,000 would go on the guide's long hose, the second would go on my long hose, and the third would be when we would begin the ascent.

A key was the guide checking to make sure everyone else had more than 1,000 before the sharing began.

 

[DogDiver]

Sooner than later Darwin will catch up with this diver and group. Then we can all read about it in the DAN annual accident reports.

 

[lexvil]

I don’t see much of an issue here, they were all familiar with it and worked together but you should have voiced your concern and insisted all of your dives end in 20/25 minutes.

 

[Eric_K]

I agree with rjack321, but in the initial posting it said she went from diver to diver for air. If she needed it that would be a red flag for me as it potentially puts others at risk. I wonder if she's still diving....

 

[Nemrod]

It is common practice for a buddy team to practice air sharing on a safety stop or sometimes an OOA drill during the dive. But the description of this, unless the OP was misunderstanding, does not sound like something I would participate in. I think I would decline to share with her. I try not to involve myself in mayhem and foolishness, safe, not safe or in between, it is kind of silly.

 

[DreadnoughtNH]

The trick here is to be first in. It can give you a good 5 minutes over the rest of the crowd.

Ha! So true!!! I learned quick to gear up as soon as the boat slowed down to approach the mooring. As soon as I heard the first syllable of “pools open” I was over the side.