Virginia Hatter here, not "Helen" :O)
It was a very FREAK situation that came on all 6 of us quickly, just 20 minutes into the dive.
We could actually see a dark swirling cloud coming towards us that was growing. My first thought was "we're screwed".
We're all SEASONED divers. 4 of them amazing Professional UW Photographers, my Dive Buddy a PADI DIVEMASTER with years of Channel Island experience, and myself an experienced PADI INSTRUCTOR.
We were on their "DAWN PATROL" dive, which is a group that meets at 5:00 AM. They are friends of mine and one invited me to join their group that AM.
It was also the Kick Off Dive of our DIVE A THON that we raise money and awareness for the SAN DIEGO OCEANS FOUNDATION with. PLEASE VISIT THE SAN DIEGO OCEANS FOUNDATION WEBSITE AND TYPE IN: VIRGINIA HATTER and feel free to make a donation! :O)
Yes, It was very difficult to ascend while in the canyon. We were pulled Seaward mid-water AND Downward into the canyon, while also being pushed along the wall South, as if in a Drift Dive.
It should be considered to be a future ride in a Water Park!
YES all at the same time. You would have to be a La Jolla Shores Canyon diver to understand it.
At one point 2 buddies of our group were swept away and pulled so hard South they actually wound up about an estimated 1/4 mile away on their exit.
We witnessed one of our divers, who was mid water at about 55 feet, being pulled only Seaward however, she is very strong, and was able to make her way back to the canyon wall near the others. Her buddy, the only man in the group, was able to fight his way back towards her after being pulled Seaward and Downward with me. I had actually been tapping on his head just prior to show him the swirling coming at us.
Shortly after my buddy checked on me with the are you "OK", and me thinking for a second "yes", I was being pulled once again. I was no longer comfortable and growing concerned if this was happening in just a matter of a minute, what could the next 2 or 3 bring?
Basically the issue was this. We were all caught off guard by what we saw, felt and were involved in, We were all on different parts of the canyon wall at different depths, and however close together (within 20 - 50 feet or so here and there) the conditions were swirling, flowing, and moving creating something "special" for all of us individually since the canyon is not a flat wall.
The "5 foot span" is what the "tornado" first appeared to be in depth, meaning up off the canon wall towards the surface until it continued to grow and come towards us.
"Clawing"? YES I DID. Some of the others did too. Once able to get out of the canyon, I had to plant my fingers (gloves) and knees into the bottom sand. I dumped my air to stay low and did the "salamander crawl" for a several feet until I needed to rest and catch my breath.
Although I am in what I feel very to be good shape, I am 49 years old and know my limits when it comes to over exertion from currents and hazards, 52 degrees in a wetsuit under strenuous conditions, and over breathing my reg.
After a brief rest, and kicking in more, the current was lighter once I was around 28 feet or so. I decided to ascend and start kicking in on the surface. My buddy surfaced West of me and we headed for shore.
Upon the exit I saw two San Diego Lifeguards in a truck and informed them what we had just experienced. They alerted SCRIPP'S Institute of Oceanography.
SCRIPP'S immediately found data from the devices that they use to measure such occurrences and were able to explain in a news conference held shortly after the incident, what had happened.
I was appreciative that the SD Lifeguards took our reports seriously, stuck around until the remaining two divers exited, and advised other divers of the potential hazard. Equally it was interesting to see the report by SCRIPP'S.
So to MARLA, TERRY, KIM, JEN, and ALLISON
"Thank you, you really know how to show a girl a good time" :O)
Virginia Hatter
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