How my buddy and Atomic Cobalt dive computer saved my life.

[Study Joe]

Be it panic, narcosis, or something else at 108 ft I suddenly felt my heart rate rapidly increase to the point it felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. I was very worried I was at the start of a panic attack. I quickly swam to my buddy and frantically signaled I was going to the surface. She looked at me, helped slow my breathing, and kept a hand on my arm which was very calming letting me know I was not alone. From then on I kept my eyes glued to my Cobalt dive computer. My depth and air were very easy to read, so all I did was focus on keeping my ascent rate meter in the green/yellow range. I was with it enough to know I wanted to ascend slower than the maximum recommended 60 ft/min so I stayed out of the red. Reading and following my computer ascent rate involved little to no thought. The only thing I had to do was focus on my breathing. For some reason when I hit 15 ft at 14 minutes my computer only gave a 2 minute safety stop instead of 3 minutes. I thought this was odd, so I did a 3 minute stop just to be safe. My ascent rate in the end was about 30 ft/min.
This was one of the scariest experiences of my life. I spent the rest of the day on my live aboard considering selling my new gear and never diving again. With the support of a great boat captain I got back in the water the next morning, and I will take the experience with me forever.

While I do not know if things would have turned out the same without my extraordinary dive buddy, I do credit my Cobalt dive computer with being extremely intuitive in an emergency situation. It presents the information you need in an easy to read and reassuring fashion; large numbers, color display, color meters. When you barely have your wits about you this is essential.

The Cobalt was the most expensive component of my dive gear, but I may not be here without it.

Thanks Atomic for making a lifesaving dive computer.

 

[redacted]

Nice job. What was your previous deep diving experience?

 

[drrich2]

Glad you're back and not quitting. Interesting experience you had. If you do a forum search for 'Narcosis' you may turn up some interesting threads - individual susceptibility varies widely, as does susceptibility in a person at different points in time, and I've noticed in some threads people suspecting that CO2 levels may compound the problem, so I wonder whether you'd been exerting more than usual on this dive.

Richard.

 

[Atomic Aquatics]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your story Study Joe. I have been around a few divers that have gone into panic and I think you handled the situation perfectly. I do believe that it was more the way your reacted to the situation under those conditions that ultimately brought you safely to the surface! However, it is nice to have equipment that is easy to use and read...Thank you for the kind words and support. It is great to hear that you are still diving!

With Regards,

Atomic Aquatics