"Drifting Dan" Carlock wins $1.68 million after being left at sea

[Ken Kurtis]

I always grab the boat key before I jump in.

I always dive with the charter check in my pocket. Even more foolproof than the keys since they can always hotwire the engines.



- Ken

 

[Teamcasa]

IMO, solo divers who show up truly solo on cattle boats are kind of asking for it.

No one asks for being left behind.

Pfft. I always grab the boat key before I jump in.

I always dive with the charter check in my pocket. Even more foolproof than the keys since they can always hotwire the engines.

I make it a point to get face time with the DM before we dive. I try to ask or do something to make me memorable. (If I don't already know the DM). A little effort goes a long way in preventing mistakes.

 

[Thalassamania]

I bet Zac was "pretty sure" he had a good roll call too. Until he didn't

That's why counting the people and counting the tanks reduces the odds of making a mistake by the product of the odds of each. It makes "pretty sure" into "virtually impossible" with very little extra effort.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I've been on a boat when they counted tanks. The DM missed the two guys who went free diving after their scuba dive. The mistake was caught before the boat left, but could have easily turned out bad.

 

[ChrisM]

Somebody goes snorkeling without telling you, and you mistakenly count the same person twice as you walk aorund the boat because they took their wetsuit off and are now wearing a hat.....

 

[Thalassamania]

For the third time: THAT IS WHY YOU COUNT BOTH!

 

[ItsBruce]

I've long wondered about putting my own caveat on the waiver form that I sign when boarding the boat, saying that in the event I'm left behind at a dive site, the waiver is null and void. I'm going to have to check with some Captains to see how that would go over. And, any Captains on the board, I'd appreciate your input.

 

[merxlin]

That's why counting the people and counting the tanks reduces the odds of making a mistake by the product of the odds of each. It makes "pretty sure" into "virtually impossible" with very little extra effort.

Counting the people doesn't work and counting tanks can be tough on some of the So Cal boats. These aren't resort boats with set tank spaces and boat tanks. Many divers bring their own, and the tank racks can get pretty crowded. What is done on most of the boats I've been on is a roll call against the roster: call your name, you answer, and they must see you face to face. I've had to poke my head out of the shower, the head, and my bunk to do it, and been happy to do so every time. And should someone make the mistake of answering for someone else, I've never seen that accepted. I can't say if this was the case before this incident, but it has been over the last 5 years I've been on boats here. If they are counting tanks or any other double check, then good. But anything other than a face to face with every diver is not acceptable in my book.

 

[ChrisM]

Yep, face to face is best. There has to be some interaction between the DM and the diver for any roll call to really work.

btw, my scenario has a screw up in tank and people counting, counting both isn't sufficient

 

[Rhone Man]

I've long wondered about putting my own caveat on the waiver form that I sign when boarding the boat, saying that in the event I'm left behind at a dive site, the waiver is null and void. I'm going to have to check with some Captains to see how that would go over. And, any Captains on the board, I'd appreciate your input.

I have never yet seen someone even crack a smile when I try to amend a waiver in a pre-printed form...