Getting separated on a Coz reef dive...

[rje634]

I just want to relay a personal experience...

Our last trip (about 3weeks ago) one member of our group (small group - 3 + DM) got separated from us during a swim through and it really did affect our dive. The DM was visibly stressed swimming ahead and behind us trying to locate the missing diver. My wife and I were also so concerned about the whereabouts of the missing diver that we did ended up thumbing the dive about 10 minutes early.
Turns out that the diver decided to not do the swim through and the current pushed him way ahead of us.
SO even even if you think that your not affecting the group that you are diving with you are. When your in a small group we all know who we are getting in the water with and most people in a group will be aware of when people start to head up. Now when someone in the group disappears it is going to affect the people you dive with, I don't believe any diver wants to be in a group were there was a dive accident, or get stessed because someone you've been diving with has gone MIA...

Just to adding my 2 cents seeing everyone else seems to be.

 

[Gdog]

Im sure we all may have similar stories....Our group in Coz last year included a young man from Spain, who purportedly was an accomplished diver. He was paired with a young woman whom we had been diving with for about a week, and she had demonstrated proficiency. This young man bounced up and down, the DM was gettin bug eyed. He also headed downslope on Santa Rosa, ignoring the DM tank clanking, then finally turned. He then worked away from the group, dragging his partner with him as she was torn between staying with him or staying with the group. He then managed to loose her, and she quickly found the loose group and rejoined us. All of us were disconcerted, as was the DM, as he was nowhere in sight. Later, above water, we found out that he joined a different group, dont know if he thought they were us, or what he was thinking. He surfaced with them, and hey....the capitan grabbed the marine radio, finding out why he had an extra diver, and who was short one. Have to say, the boat captains quickly had it sorted out, communication was good. I dont seem to recall him being on the second dive of the day, and also he certainly didnt dive anymore with us. Not sure if he was asked not too, or what but....We as a group were certainly more comfortable with being able to dive instead of wondering if he was lost, in trouble, ect......
anyway, like rje634, just my .02 added in.....how big is the pot getting anyway?!

geez...just reread this...kinda rambling, but gonna post it anyway.

 

[ggunn]

I have been out on a full (6 pack) boat when there were a couple of tech divers aboard who were really just with us for the boat ride. We didn't see them between the time we all hit the water and when we picked them up about 15 minutes after the rest of us were aboard. It was no big deal; the weather was nice and the company was good, and everyone knew from the start what the deal was.

I have also from time to time been on dives where someone got separated early on, where the DM got worried (understandably) and had us wait while he tracked down the stray. We can't very well go on if there's a chance someone is stuck in a swimthrough, but it's kind of a drag for the rest of us. Nowadays, when that happens, I get out my magnifying glass and go macro for a while.

 

[betsyinczm]

Good solution, GGunn!!..........and Cowboyneal-------you'd be welcome anytime!----will continue to try and crack you up.........hahhaa.
Betsy

 

[halocline]

I guess when I used the terms "PC" and "yelled at" I was being somewhat tongue in cheek; I know nobody's actually yelling (right....?) and Charles did post something that basically said "this is what I do, it's different than the typical accepted practice, what do you think?" and as such was leaving himself open to criticsm. As always, it's hard to judge from someone's post exactly what's going on in the water. But, Christi, there was nothing in your post that I thought was inappropriate.

 

[charlesml3]

Exactly. Everyone on the boat knows the deal before we leave the dock. Nobody is complaining (except some of you here). The DM is cool with it, the rest of the divers are cool with it.

Sure, I expected the criticism here. I think the comments such as "I wouldn't want to be on the boat with you" are a bit much, however. I hear those kinds of comments here, but yet every DM who's been in the water with me says just the opposite....

-Charles

 

[parrotheaddiver]

but yet every DM who's been in the water with me says just the opposite....
-Charles

The customer is always right!! even when he is wrong......please remember to tip your DM

 

[Christi]

Sorry...not to keep this going, but I thought some of you may find this interesting.

Today, when my divemaster came in from teh trip, he was explaining how strong the currents were today. He used his line as an example...he said he had ALL of his line out, all 120ft of it...he was physically between 50 and 60 feet. Good thing he wasn't depending on a knot in the line

 

[Charlie99]

Today, when my divemaster came in from teh trip, he was explaining how strong the currents were today. He used his line as an example...he said he had ALL of his line out, all 120ft of it...he was physically between 50 and 60 feet. Good thing he wasn't depending on a knot in the line

It sounds like the current was also either significantly different between 60' and the surface, or he was swimming along (or stationary on the bottom) rather than just drifting.

If your post is regarding GGunn's use of a 15' knot in the DSMB cord, don't forget that the difference between surface current and at 10' or 15' is likely to be much less than the surface to 50' difference.

 

[ggunn]

It sounds like the current was also either significantly different between 60' and the surface, or he was swimming along (or stationary on the bottom) rather than just drifting.

If your post is regarding GGunn's use of a 15' knot in the DSMB cord, don't forget that the difference between surface current and at 10' or 15' is likely to be much less than the surface to 50' difference.

Beat me to it. ;^)