Interesting article i think we can all learn from

[glassbottom]

Not sure if this has been posted here already but it seems to be a good incident that anyone can learn from.Alert Diver | The Perils of Staying Silent


Lost in the Caribbean Sea


and some supposed first hand accounts:

https://www.reddit.com/r/scuba/comments/3qcqba/anyone_know_the_backstory_of_the_divers_left_at/


My take-aways:


I carry a signaling mirror in my hunting bag, which I sometimes put in my BCD before I leave for a dive. There will now be a signaling mirror with me going forward on ocean dives. (May even consider hand flares in a plastic bag).


I keep my left BCD pouch reserved for "oh sh!t" situations and emergency gear (whistle, backup compass, small backup reel/cordage, small backup slate etc). A signal mirror will be going into that.


Also other takeaways are to stay diligent with the boat operation and ensure they had the proper training and safety equipment to handle a group of divers while not being physically moored to something.

 

[Seymour Fisch]

Thanks for posting that! I had been really curious for more information when I read the Alert Diver article...

 

[chillyinCanada]

West End Divers! That's my favorite dive team too! Good to read but not surprised they were good guys in this mess. Glad everyone came out alive.

 

[Freewillow]

To go diving in these situations is irresponsible. Don't blame the captain, blame yourself divers. To go away from land on a diving boat with a single engin and no VHF radio is asking for trouble. Well, they got it

 

[billt4sf]

To go diving in these situations is irresponsible. Don't blame the captain, blame yourself divers. To go away from land on a diving boat with a single engin and no VHF radio is asking for trouble. Well, they got it

I totally agree but how many of us actually ask how far from land we'll be and what safety equipment is on board? I know I don't.

However, had I been told that we'd be 20 miles from land on that kind of boat I sure would have second thoughts before embarking.

- Bill