Had 2 scary experiences: How to avoid in future?

[bluewatertoy]

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I hoped that the critics on this thread who did not feel honor bound to apologize for their insults would at least shut the hell up, but - well, I don't know.

So much for being all nice and cuddly Don.

 

[DandyDon]

thanks don
u always write honest and good advice
ive noticed!

:lol2: No, that's not true either, but I am working to improve my record. I jumped on a guy in the Caribe forum the other day, then went back an apologized humbly for it. I have a lot of experience at apologgies, but they really do not right the wrongs, so I'm trying to cut back.

BTW my first boat dive was a drift dive and I had zero problems with it.

I never had a problem with fast drifts, strong currents on Florida wrecks, boarding in 8-12 ft waves once when we should not have been out, etc - but some of us catch on easier, aren't bothered by challeges as much, and clear our ears easily. We're all different.

In fact, most of my problems have been of my own making, and I have done some bad ones. We try to learn and improve.

 

[breckgirl5]

Not really Daniel. But look at the facts, someone new shows up with very little in the profile and blames PADI for her diving misfortunes. Her story contains numerous descrepancies and then latter we learn that this is a three-year old incident in a different location than the one originally specified.

The OP takes no responsibility for her actions, did not talk to the dive master before the dive and does not maintain buddy contact with her buddy (husband). I can take her word the PADI does not cover too much about diving in currents during OW but I am sure they still stress buddy skills and air management. Also she expects the DM to cater to her problems and does not realize the DM is responsible for the other divers in the water also. She feels it is fine to inconvenience all the other divers on the boat. I may sound harsh but read her posts over, would you want to dive with her as your buddy?

BTW my first boat dive was a drift dive and I had zero problems with it.

Ummm... WRONG. I DID say in my original post that I had not been diving in 3 years. I also said it was in Coz. The ONLY detail I misrepresented was the anchor line.... a minor detail.... and honest mistake. Get over it. Also, I DID talk to the DM beforehand. I DID tell him I had never been diving in currents. He acted like currents were no big deal. As a novice, how the hell am I supposed to know that currents ARE actually a bigger deal than what he is representing? I'm relying on his advice. Could I have done more research before going to Coz?? YES! That's why I'm here now... so I don't make the same mistakes. Also, this time I am diving with a friend who's been on LESS dives than me! I'm trying to be prepared. What the hell is wrong with that?

I never wanted to inconvenience the divers on the boat. That is patently FALSE. I just wanted my DM to tell me the truth. I would have been VERY happy if he had just said, "Oh, you're a novice? This dive might not be for you. I'll take you on an easier dive later today."

And, by the way, I want to point out that at least I'm not one of those people who has done 12 dives in Belize and is posting in a forum for intermediate divers. I understand that 12 previous dives in one locale does not amount to much. If I were that full of myself and willing to inconvenience people I would not post in the beginners forum.

 

[breckgirl5]

Again, thanks for all of the constructive feedback I've received on this thread. Most of you guys have been very helpful. The other feedback ... well... it just goes to show you that there are know-it-alls in every sport who are insecure and feel the need to call newbies names to make themselves feel superior. It's third grade mentality... and it's unfortunate.

I want to point out one thing about the air issue. The reason I ran out of air was because I had to continually descend (during ascent) to clear the expanding air in my ear. (I had to ascend 1 ft - descend half a foot and repeat this process over and over). The total ascent time doubled due to my ear issue. I'm sure I was also sucking a lot of air due to a little bit of panic. I was not sure I would be able to ascend. Who wouldn't feel a little panic?

What I did not mention in my first post, was that the reason my husband almost ran out of air was because he had a leaky regulator that was discovered halfway through the dive. (Rental equipment.) He signaled to the DM about this, and again... the DM acted like it was no big deal. He told us to ascend a little early (which we did), but otherwise it was no big deal to him. The whole incident was a potentially deadly comedy of errors.

We are not "fast breathers" as many of you have assumed (and I can understand why you would think that). We just both had air issues on that dive. That day was basically a cluster. And, yes, I do accept some of the blame....but I also feel that some DMs get greedy and would rather take a beginner on an advanced dive than risk losing the tip. I also think that PADI could put more emphasis in the training manual about the difference between drift dives and "stationary" dives. That would be ONE small thing to help novice divers. I recognize the ultimate onus is on the diver to be prepared.

And, DandyDon, don't worry... I've renewed my DAN insurance for this next trip. That's something I always do.

 

[Gombessa]

Don't sweat this board too much. A lot of us felt that your rather cool reception here was a bit peculiar and not the norm for SB. Maybe some people had a stressful Monday

 

[Rainer]

Again, thanks for all of the constructive feedback I've received on this thread. Most of you guys have been very helpful. The other feedback ... well... it just goes to show you that there are know-it-alls in every sport who are insecure and feel the need to call newbies names to make themselves feel superior. It's third grade mentality... and it's unfortunate.

I want to point out one thing about the air issue. The reason I ran out of air was because I had to continually descend (during ascent) to clear the expanding air in my ear. (I had to ascend 1 ft - descend half a foot and repeat this process over and over). The total ascent time doubled due to my ear issue. I'm sure I was also sucking a lot of air due to a little bit of panic. I was not sure I would be able to ascend. Who wouldn't feel a little panic?

What I did not mention in my first post, was that the reason my husband almost ran out of air was because he had a leaky regulator that was discovered halfway through the dive. (Rental equipment.) He signaled to the DM about this, and again... the DM acted like it was no big deal. He told us to ascend a little early (which we did), but otherwise it was no big deal to him. The whole incident was a potentially deadly comedy of errors.

Not excuses. Don't run out of air. I don't care if the DM tells you to stay down forever, if you're running low, it's time to go up. You can't breath water, right? So don't run out of air.

 

[breckgirl5]

Not excuses. Don't run out of air. I don't care if the DM tells you to stay down forever, if you're running low, it's time to go up. You can't breath water, right? So don't run out of air.

What am I saying that is not clear? My husband did not run out of air. He was low when he got to surface, but did not run out. The ONLY reason I ran out is because I had a reverse block... and I only ran out during my extra long ascent. (The DM and other divers gathered around me to help me finish the ascent.)

DUH.... I know you should not run out of air intentionally. I might be a newbie, but I'm not an idiot.

Looking back, I suppose we should have ascended the moment my husband discovered the leaky reg. However, we were checking his air constantly (as was the DM), and the air was leaking very slowly. We relied on the DM's advice and just stayed down a little longer before ascending. It's not like we were being wildly risky! We were trying to stay with group for as long as it was safe. When we began our ascent, he still had plenty of air to reach the surface. (Neither of us expected me to have a reverse block.)

 

[ams511]

Breck,

Sorry if I seemed to come on a bit strong.

Most dive boat operations will try to fill the boat as best they can as long as you meet the minimum cert requirements. You need to decide if the dive is right for you or not.

You may want to review the shore diving portion of your OW manual to look at what to do in currents. Typically you cannot fight them and must ride with them. Also current are like weather they vary greatly from day to day.

Your buddy needs to wait for you to submerge and clear and then come down to meet you on the bottom so you neither of you gets blown away from each other. If your buddy does not have a problem clearing then he or she can dive down to your position. I have never been to Coz but from what I hear you cannot bring a knife. Maybe you can find or bring a tent peg so you have something to stick in the sand and hold on to if the current gets too strong.

Poor performing rental gear is common in foreign locations. Nothing you can do but check on here for reputable operators or buy and bring your own personal gear. You can find good deals on here and ebay but it still might not be cost effective for you if you only dive once every 3 years.

You really need to dive more than one trip every three years. By the time you are comfortable in the water it is time for you to leave. Then you are rusty again after 3 years. Cold water is not all that bad with the right exposure protection.

Ideally, you and your buddy should have taken the refresher course together or at least practiced with each other in a buddy team. You need to watch the air consumption and turn the dive at 1000 psi. As you ger more experienced then you can try for 700. Better safe than sorry.

 

[DandyDon]

Poor performing rental gear is common in foreign locations. Nothing you can do but check on here for reputable operators or buy and bring your own personal gear. You can find good deals on here and ebay but it still might not be cost effective for you if you only dive once every 3 years.

Or something I often suggest to people who don't want to own and service their own kits: Rent the gear you trained in from your local dive shop or Instructor and carry it with you. It's gear you know and trust.

You'll need to own your own safety sausage and storm whistle each, tho - yet those can be had for $20 or so each. Owning your own dive skin is a nice idea even if you rent wet suits.

 

[dbulmer]

Right after Ron said people put things under the microscope.

He was just saying you SHOULD HAVE ONE ATTACHED TO YOUR BC - when you go diving. He didn't say to deploy it and keep it attached

Howarde,
The reason I said what I said was because the OP is asking in the new Diver forum and is probably unfamiliar with DSMB usage. I wanted to clarify its usage as Ron's statement might have been misunderstood by other newbies.