I couldn't care less about the safety stop. But I don't abandon a buddy. I'd signal him/her to get down on the wreck, begin pulling along, and try to make the upline, but if we couldn't do it, we'd blow a bag and ascend together.
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I think what is catching most of our eyes is the "No safety stop".
I would like some thoughts concerning the question below, which follows the scenario. I believe that this is not an unlikely scenario. I, myself, am not completely sure which action would be wisest.
Scenario: You and your buddy are diving a wreck. During the dive, you notice the current getting stronger. As you both head towards the anchor line, you realize that you have misjudged the current, and find that you have both missed the anchor line. You know that although it will take much effort, you have enough leg strength and stamina to swim against the current, and reach the anchor line, if you act within a few seconds. However, your buddy is not as strong and fit, and you know that he would not be able to swim against the current to the anchor line. The current has turned rather swift, and you know that you will both be doing some good distance, if you do not get to the anchor line. Neither you or your buddy had considered this exact scenario, and so it was not specifically addressed during pre-dive planning.
Question: Which would be the more appropriate action:
1) You leave your buddy, swim to the anchor line, and up to the boat without a safety stop. You inform the boat captain of the situation, and inform him of the signal devices that your buddy has with him. Because of pre-dive planning for cases of separation, your buddy knows that he should surface without a safety stop, deploy his SMB, and utilize his other signal devices as appropriate.
2) You stay with your buddy, ascend together, without a safety stop. You both deploy your SMBs, utilize your other signal devices as appropriate, and just wait for the boat to hopefully see you, or realize you are both missing, within a reasonable amount of time so that you do not continue to get even further away.
Ben
NC Wreck Diver:stay on the sisal lift bag line (tied into the wreck)