I died because of my slate - looking for articles/info on slate abbrev.

[Flightlead]

How did you and your buddy switch to the wrong gas if you were observing this protocol? Was it a task-loading FUBAR or was it an oversight? Not trying to criticize, just want to understand how it happened so we can offer some more direct feedback.

well, first we were above the MOD on both gasses on the first switch. something that probably occurs only on a training dive.

second we were task loaded and behind runtime.

third, it was the second switch. iow we were supposed to go back to back gas.

 

[Flightlead]

all the talk about various gas switch protocols is great. but the real reason I died, and the point behind the posting, was looking for clear ways, abbreviations, symbols etc to use on the slate.

 

[Blackwood]

How about when you turn the valve on, only crack it, then turn it off - now deploy reg and purge the reg (that you are getting ready to go to) and watch the spg of the bottle to ensure the needle drops to zero. If it does then you have the correct reg in your hand so open the valve all the way and insert reg (after checking depth one last time).

That won't help if you don't know which bottle you're supposed to be switching to...

all the talk about various gas switch protocols is great. but the real reason I died, and the point behind the posting, was looking for clear ways, abbreviations, symbols etc to use on the slate.

I say screw the slate. Protocol can make it irrelevant.

IMO, rather that coming up with symbols, learning a system a standardized switches seems preferable. If you always go to a certain gas at a certain depth, you don't have to learn a new profile for each dive.

"I'm at 84 feet. Let's check the slate. Hmm, it's smudged. That could say 45%, but I'm not sure. Crap."

Or,

"I'm at 20 feet, so my switch is to O₂. I'm at 70 feet, so my switch is to 50%. I'm at 120 feet, so my switch is to 35/25. I'm at 190 feet, so my switch is to 21/35." Simple, routine, easily learned. No need to look at a slate.



Note, this isn't a pro/anti "DIR" statement. Standardization just makes sense to me.

 

[Rainer]

all the talk about various gas switch protocols is great. but the real reason I died, and the point behind the posting, was looking for clear ways, abbreviations, symbols etc to use on the slate.

What makes you think it was the slate that killed you? Seems low on the list of suspects.

 

[Jason B]

That won't help if you don't know which bottle you're supposed to be switching to...

He already covered that in the first step of his notox pneumonic. I was just suggesting adding a step in after he cracked his valve on.

I agree with **** canning the slate.

 

[texdiveguy]

We have all supposidley died or came close to biting it during 'training exercises'.....learn from your errors.....keep up the training and practice!!

 

[El Cid]

I about to start Deco Procedures and Advanced EANx in a week or two (gotta get out of the bar and start finishing my homework) but as an idea, whats wrong with an additional cheat sheet? I know the bottles are labeled with MOD and all, and you have the deco schedule on a slate but why not have the portion of the deco for that bottle written on it as a double check. Example from Post #2,

Depth__time__run time__mix
200'____25_____25____18/50
110'____1______28_____32
100'____1______29_____32
90'_____1______30_____32
80'_____1______31_____32
70'_____1______32_____32
60'_____3______35_____32
50'_____2______37_____32
40'_____5______42_____32
30'_____7______49_____32
20'_____8______57____100
10'_____15_____72____100

On white duct tape, add this on the 32% bottle with 110' in green sharpie and 30' in red sharpie. On the mix at 110', off after 30'.

110'____1______28_____32
100'____1______29_____32
90'_____1______30_____32
80'_____1______31_____32
70'_____1______32_____32
60'_____3______35_____32
50'_____2______37_____32
40'_____5______42_____32
30'_____7______49_____32

If you don't need it you've wasted a nickel worth of tape, and if you need it, its there as a backup(smudged slate, etc). Like I said, I haven't done these dives yet and am open to criticism, so open fire and tell me why thats a bad idea. Thanks.

 

[rhlee]

I about to start Deco Procedures and Advanced EANx in a week or two (gotta get out of the bar and start finishing my homework) but as an idea, whats wrong with an additional cheat sheet? I know the bottles are labeled with MOD and all, and you have the deco schedule on a slate but why not have the portion of the deco for that bottle written on it as a double check.

... clip ...

If you don't need it you've wasted a nickel worth of tape, and if you need it, its there as a backup(smudged slate, etc). Like I said, I haven't done these dives yet and am open to criticism, so open fire and tell me why thats a bad idea. Thanks.

I would dislike this because it's adding clutter to the bottle (more tape and writing) that can distract from/obscure the really important thing, the MOD marking.

How much info do you write down? planned deco, 5min. over contingency, 10min. over contingency? 10ft deeper contingency? lost deco-gas contingency? This piece of tape is gonna fill up fast.

To me, again, the standardization argument, it makes more sense to remember 2 or 3 schedules (50% 25 min. deco, 50% 30min. deco) and know when to use which. It really amounts to remembering something like 10-15 numbers...

Also, I'll point out, in the range of light deco that is being discussed, I highly doubt that a minute or two misplaced from 50' to 40' is going to make one lick of difference.

 

[Blackwood]

On white duct tape, add this on the 32% bottle with 110' in green sharpie and 30' in red sharpie. On the mix at 110', off after 30'.

Like different colored hoses, this would be gimmicky at best.

For one thing, I'd not like to potentially hinge the dive safety on my ability to discern color at depth...



If I need to look at a slate or in my wetnotes or whatever, I'm not prepared for the dive. Further, by relying on written notes, I am (A) cornering myself and (B) giving up the opportunity of establishing good habits and muscle memory.

 

[mark99]

If I need to look at a slate or in my wetnotes or whatever, I'm not prepared for the dive.

Are you referring just to yourself, or is it your opinion that anyone who refers to a slate (i.e. looks at the slate for the deco schedule) is not prepared for the dive?