Lessons to be learned-Death in Palau

[Web Monkey]

From what I’ve hear, everybody did everything that they could. If you buddy unhooks, chances are, that they're or anyboudy else is not going to be able to fight the current to get to you. As I said before, as soon as you hook in, your on your own and solo diving without a buddy. And that, IMHO, is the real root cause of the accident.

That's quite an observation. I never thought about it that way, but if the current is so strong that you can't swim against it, then everybody is solo.

Terry

 

[String]

That's quite an observation. I never thought about it that way, but if the current is so strong that you can't swim against it, then everybody is solo.
Terry

Not totally true if not hooked on. Everyone is going at the same speed so relative speed to each other is pretty much zero. You can still crab cross current to get to/from someone, the only issue is if they manage to stop and you dont or vice versa.

 

[ScubaSarus]

I think there should be a certification for this type of hook-current diving. IMHO its beyond a PADI advanced course which isn't all that advanced and seems to me to be a speacialty dive requiring speacilty training.

 

[OWSI176288]

Not totally true if not hooked on. Everyone is going at the same speed so relative speed to each other is pretty much zero. You can still crab cross current to get to/from someone, the only issue is if they manage to stop and you dont or vice versa.

Exactly.......if your drifting, you should be going the same speed as your buddy, so there shouldn't be any seperation. But if you do become seperated (for what ever reason) you can still slowly ascend at anytime without something holding you under.

 

[String]

Actually one place this rule isnt strictly true is if one of the pair is towing an SMB.

Its fairly common to find the SMB being hit by slightly different direction currents and surface wind and take the carrier in a slightly different direction to the current. You can still get to/from them but it involves a bit more work and care. Its definately NOT solo diving though.

 

[triton94949]

I wonder if we can learn something here? If we know it's real strong current and we must turn around, down current, would it not help to hold your mask to your face, as we do on entry??

Usually when your mask blows off, it is a total surprise, and you were not expecting it. That is why it is important to have a spare mask with you. However 99.99% of instructors do not teach this. That is the main problem.

 

[MoonWrasse]

Even in the currents here i rarely see a mask lost due to them. By far the most common loss method is people losing one on entry into the water.
Ive seen masks dislodged in strong currents so that they flood if someone turns their head sideways to a current but even then it doesnt come off the head so i dont think its a problem.

Perhaps she was trying to clear it when it got knocked off.

 

[OWSI176288]

Usually when your mask blows off, it is a total surprise, and you were not expecting it. That is why it is important to have a spare mask with you. However 99.99% of instructors do not teach this. That is the main problem.

I am not condoning carrying a spare mask. Because I do all the time, and especially when cave diving or when I have a long deco obligation. But that's not the problem.

The problem is you should of been taught to breath without a mask. And divers need to practice this skill once in awhile. A good time is at the end of a safety stops while hanging out at 15 feet.

The mask isn't there so you can breathe. It's there so you can see, and nothing else.

 

[detroit diver]

My guess is, with better training, and lots of practice, this situation MAY have been avoidable. She still had gas to breath. That's the sad part.

I am not condoning carrying a spare mask. Because I do all the time, and especially when cave diving or when I have a long deco obligation. But that's not the problem.

The problem is you should of been taught to breath without a mask. And divers need to practice this skill once in awhile. A good time is at the end of a safety stops while hanging out at 15 feet.

The mask isn't there so you can breathe. It's there so you can see, and nothing else.

 

[scubatwinned]

MAJOR SHAME is hooking (AKA DESTROYING) reef.
TOOL like a sawed off shotgun in a 7/11.
ADVANTAGE - puts $$ in someones pockets and smiles on the faces of selfish murderous morons.
DISADVANTAGE -hooking KILLS reefs, the very thing we divers LIVE for. Stop killing reefs. Go play on a mountain with your tools, big man. You are not a waterman so trade in your tanks for something more suitable to your mentality. You and your like give shame to all divers.

Posted by cudachasers wife, Cheryl.

The diving in Palau is not going to stop.

The idea is to place the hook in dead coral or rock not on living coral heads.

The pics you yourself posted show the diff between hooking in and the group in the background holding onto the coral with both hands and lying on it with their bodies!!!

The hook with an area of 1/8 the end of one finger... in contact... or both hands, body and fins all touching the coral.

You tell me, Who is doing more damage????
Which method is going to preserve the coral longer????

I was diving in Palau for 1 month and there was over 200 divers in the water at one site on a regular basis. Huge diver traffic. I would say to help this areas corals the hook be required. Those who do not meet the experience level not be able to dive the sites the same as wreck or cave diving. There are only 3-5 sites that one specifically uses the hook to watch the action. Loads of others that the less experienced can still dive.