Four dead in Italian cave

[Quero]

Hydrogen sulfide, even in a fully saturated aqueous solution, poses no danger to divers, despite rumors to the contrary. Is is, however, hell the metal parts of gear.

I think, Thal, that the hypothesis was not made in relation to dissolved hydrogen sulfide, but rather that the divers might have found an air pocket at the roof of a room, and that the air was fouled and made toxic by the presence of hydrogen sulfide so that it would not be able to support life.

 

[Thalassamania]

Quero, that would, indeed, be a problem.

 

[DevonDiver]

I was saddened to read of this incident. Utterly avoidable, if safe diving practices had been followed by the center/pros concerned as a matter of ethos.

Lessons to be learned/reinforced:

1) Don't do 'trust me' dives.
2) Don't go into caves/overheads, unless specifically trained and equipped.
3) Guidelines save lives in overhead environments.
4) Following basic 'Safe Diving Practices' keeps you safe.
5) DM training has a specific output - it does not qualify for supervising in caves or other specialist activities.
6) Ego can lead to poor decision making - dive pros are especially prone to that.
7) If it seems like a bad idea, it probably is - regardless of what someone else may reassure you of.
8) Make informed decisions about the risks you are willing to expose yourself to.

 

[TSandM]

(This is related)

Today, we were doing an AOW class, and we briefed the students on their deep dive. One of them took me aside and said, "Can I ask you a question? We were taught a rule of thumb that one shouldn't dive deeper than the number of cubic feet in our tanks -- and you just told us we are going to do a dive to 85 feet, and we have 80 cubic foot tanks. I'm wondering if we should do this."

I wish more divers had this attitude. This student questioned his instructor, who is the man who taught him to dive in the first place, and that instructor's assistant, who has worked with him on all his class dives, because he was worried that we might not be showing good judgment.

If the people who did this dive had had that approach, we might not be reading this thread at all.

 

[requin02]

So very sad...but if I may just add one comment it is that instead of trashing DM lead dives, one should remember that any and all divers should not dive beyond their training, ability and comfort zone. This is a point that is teached at the very beginning of scuba, be it padi, cmas, naui, ssi. Naturally and even more so, any dive pro / guide should also never offer dives that go beyond his clients ability and training, that is for sure (the consequences being what they are). The final say, however, should remain in the hands of every adult, responsible diver.


r.

 

[MonkSeal]

In the Tulum area of Mexico, they do take OW divers in caverns, and some of the experiences are even more than that, but the guides are full cave certified, with lines, groups of no more than 4 OW, and mostly a good record.

It's never good idea to go to any kind of overhead environment without proper equipment and training with or without cave certified guides. Take a look at recent report from the area you're referencing to - there was tripple fatality at cenote Chac Mol on April 19 this year.

 

[ijdod]

(This is related)

Today, we were doing an AOW class, and we briefed the students on their deep dive. One of them took me aside and said, "Can I ask you a question? We were taught a rule of thumb that one shouldn't dive deeper than the number of cubic feet in our tanks -- and you just told us we are going to do a dive to 85 feet, and we have 80 cubic foot tanks. I'm wondering if we should do this."

I wish more divers had this attitude. This student questioned his instructor, who is the man who taught him to dive in the first place, and that instructor's assistant, who has worked with him on all his class dives, because he was worried that we might not be showing good judgment.

If the people who did this dive had had that approach, we might not be reading this thread at all.

What explanation as given?

 

[mmcdanie]

Sad story.
I am OW only, but I'm curious as to what the experienced cave divers do in a Zero Viz situation with no guide line? My guess is reciprocal compass headings?

 

[PfcAJ]

Sad story.
I am OW only, but I'm curious as to what the experienced cave divers do in a Zero Viz situation with no guide line? My guess is reciprocal compass headings?

If you're in zero vis without the line, you've got a big problem on your hands. Keeping track of the line is extremely important.

The textbook answer is to tie off with your safety spool and search for the guideline (techniques are taught in cave class). What you do in real life might vary a little bit, however.

 

[decompression]

If you're in zero vis without the line, you've got a big problem on your hands. Keeping track of the line is extremely important.

The textbook answer is to tie off with your safety spool and search for the guideline (techniques are taught in cave class). What you do in real life might vary a little bit, however.

No GPS?