Experienced Divers: What are the most common "oh, crap!" situations?

[Litefoot]

Hello. Thanks for letting me ask a basic question. I'm a brand new recently-certified OW diver. I know that buoyancy control may be the most important skill at this point. But my biggest fear is having a panic attack when something goes wrong. In your experience, what is the most likely problem I will face? Right now, in my limited experience, losing my mask is my biggest fear because I struggle keeping water out of my nose. Is that the answer? That is, focus my practice on those scenarios that I already know will likely induce panic. What do you say?

Note: I am reading and learning form the "What would you do?" thread that is pinned at the top of the forum.

 

[DAJ]

In your experience, what is the most likely problem I will face?

Finding a parking spot close enough to your dive spot so you’re not humping your gear a half a mile. While having a specific issue in the water varies and may not be considered likely, parking at good dive spots is always an issue.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Not fully zipping up your dry suit.

 

[TMHeimer]

I haven't lost a mask yet in 900+ dives. I suppose if a strap broke underwater I'd have time to grab the mask before it fell, but who knows. Some divers actually carry a spare mask with them on the dive, but that seems a little overboard. I have had a regulator mouthpiece almost blown out of my mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. I bungee it in my mouth (around my head with the bungee cord)-- also a hedge against problems as I usually dive solo now. I also use a "molded" mouthpiece for comfort.
I try to dive in the best conditions possible-- walk right from car to beach, etc. at my age of 68. I guess my biggest worry is conditions changing and having to crawl out on rocks, which I've done a couple of times recently.

 

[Tournesol2000]

Throwing up in my reg after a particularly rough boat ride and remembering to keep the regular in my mouth. It was also a deciding factor in buying regs after I got my OW cert

 

[inquis]

Not fully zipping up your dry suit.

In my case, because the suspender tail pokes out & gets caught, and it FEELS firmly closed (but ain't).

 

[inquis]

Odds are you will eventually jump in the water without your air on. Hopefully you always mount your tank where you can reach the valve.

 

[Soloist]

Odds are you will eventually jump in the water without your air on. Hopefully you always mount your tank where you can reach the valve.

@Litefoot, while monitoring your SPG, take three breaths off your reg and confirm pressure is constant. This should prevent an “oh crap” moment…if done BEFORE you hit the water!

 

[lowwall]

@Litefoot, while monitoring your SPG, take three breaths off your reg and confirm pressure is constant. This should prevent an “oh crap” moment…if done BEFORE you hit the water!

I take one hard breath (deep and fast inhale) while monitoring the SPG instead of 3 normal. If the needle drops at all and stays down then your gas is off. If the needle moves more than a tiny quiver (and then returns to the original pressure) then your gas is probably only partially on.

 

[davehicks]

Tank valve turned half on. Reg breathes normal on the surface, but when the diver gets to 60-70 feet the air flow stops!