How those idiots (us) run out of air

[billt4sf]

First dive in a new location (St Eustatius). Heavy (for us) current at surface. Descended and regs sucked water. Returned to surface, changed regs and went down again with 2200 lbs. A bit anxious due to new environment and surface conditions. Had 1800 at bottom( 50 ft). Swam around a bit and signalled to DM at half a tank. Went a little bit more (1st mistake) and signalled to DM 1800 (but I meant to signal 1300). As with every dive guide I have ever had, she turned and went further from ascent line. Now the anxiety increased and air consumption with it. Back to ascent line at 500 and we began sharing air. My wife ran our of air shortly after me, she probably was overanxious about me.

We all returned safely and ascended slowly. So a happy ending. But we did both run out, and good thing there were TWO dive guides!

Second dives of the day were much easier and uneventful.

Bill

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

You need to be more assertive with your signals ... or, if you believe you should turn the dive and the guide won't, turn it without the guide. In this case, you knew you should turn, gave the guide the wrong signal, and she assumed you had enough to continue. Act on what you know ... she isn't responsible for your safety ... you are.

Twirling finger pointing toward the surface... that signal means turn around. It's not a request ... and there's only one correct response.

Idiots run out of air when they allow someone else to make their decisions for them ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[DCBC]

I assume that you are a certified diver. As such, you are responsible for your safety and that of your team (your wife). When you want to ascend (for any reason) signal your Buddy and do so. You can inform the DM, if this is reasonabe and convenient. The DM is there as your guide and as such, you (and other divers) are his concern. You are not there for him, unless this arrangement has been made ahead of the dive. Be responsible whether the DM is or not. Don't depend on anyone other than yourself and your Buddy...

 

[PsyWulf]

If you are ever in doubt or feel unsafe for any reason,attempt to notify the DMs if possible,inflate an SMB and call the dive. You as a certified diver and good buddy are responsible for your well being,trust your judgement,there's always another dive but only 1 life

You might want to look into getting an underwater shaker or signalling device,and then be firm and exact with your signals,showing your Cylinder pressure and intent to head up

 

[danvolker]

As DCBC said, you needed to be assertive that you must ascend....and you are only responsible for your buddy in this case....if you signal your intent to turn the dive to the DM, and they fail to respond, too bad for them--the two of you should leave the DM and return to the surface.

I would add that in DIR we have a canister light with us, that has the light worn over the top of your left hand( so you still have 100% use of both hands)....and that if you want to signal someone--like this DM, you wave the beam in front of them rapidly, indicating an urgent issue. Can lights are expensive, but now there are also some Goodman Handle kits for inexpensive dive lights...see http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/li...-handle-dris-1000-500-lights.html#post6444616

And see the can light...Bimini | Halcyon and Mini-Explorer | Halcyon

 

[Steve_C]

As noted, if it is time to turn, turn it. You know where the ascent line is.

Go over how to signal remaining air before you dive. Take your time signaling. KEEP IT SIMPLE. KEEP IT SLOW.

I insta-buddy a fair amount. There are lots of different ways to signal remaining air. Often folks want to flash through the signal faster than I can remember what system they are using. So now part of predive is always going over the system and reinforcing that they are to signal slow and definite. Even then I sometimes just look at their gauge if I don't trust the numbers or I am unsure what they are signaliing.

My preferred system is by hundreds. Sure it may take 5 or 6 seconds to give me the air early on but it is much easier if you are slightly narced at 100 ft.

 

[SeaHorse81]

I'd make every attempt to communicate to the DM that I was leaving, then go. Though I've dived with some DMs who wouldn't care or notice if I was gone, I've dived with plenty who care a great deal, and would want to keep them in the loop when possible. If the DM is too far away or just not looking your way enough to see a signal though, the priority is to keep your team within safe practices and just do what you have to do. The DM will understand when you have a talk about it later on the boat.

 

[rongoodman]

.I would add that in DIR we have a canister light with us, that has the light worn over the top of your left hand( so you still have 100% use of both hands)....and that if you want to signal someone--like this DM, you wave the beam in front of them rapidly, indicating an urgent issue. Can lights are expensive, but now there are also some Goodman Handle kits for inexpensive dive lights...see http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/li...-handle-dris-1000-500-lights.html#post6444616

Two problems I ran into with primary lights on Caribbean dives... First, there is so much light that even the 21W canister lights wash out. Second, all the signals in the world won't help if the other divers ignore them, which I found they mostly do. I haven't even taken a primary light on my last couple of liveaboard trips.

 

[Superlyte27]

I appreciate this thread. I'll hammer more firmly into my students that only THEY are responsible for THEIR safety.

On the ascent line with 500lbs at what depth?

 

[danvolker]

Two problems I ran into with primary lights on Caribbean dives. First, there is so much light that even the 21W canister lights wash out. Second, all the signals in the world won't help if the other divers ignore them, which I found they mostly do. I haven't even taken a primary light on my last couple of liveaboard trips.

If I am on a 70 foot reef off of Palm Beach on a summer day with 100 foot vis, then shining the light beam in front of a diver looking away from me is not likely to be seen. If you are flashing at a diver with good peripheral awareness, there is a reasonably good chance that they will catch a flash and turn their head to investigate....There are also times when you have a group 40 feet away that are kind of looking in your direction, but not really looking at you--so they will not be paying attention to hand signals by you--but the urgent flashing of the light they are likely to get....I do this with groups I am diving with, when I see a turtle or other cool marine life I know they will all want to see...and the light tends to get their attention when waving would never be noticed.... For the Liveabourd scenario.....maybe a Boat Horn you could take underwater

I use my can light on these shallow tropical dives mostly for exploring under a ledge or in a shipwreck.....