Lessons to be learned-Death in Palau

[Charlie99]

Tie the end of the line to a D ring on our BCD using a velcro loop. If you can't pull in the slack, loose the velcro. You will leave the hook behind but get it next visit.

Carrying your idea a bit further, another possibility would be something similar to a kite bridle that attaches to left and right chest d-rings with velcro. That would give you a quick attachment point to clip on a reef hook line, but at the same time be something that you can release. I would definitely check it out with the locals before trying it out, though. If you pay attention, experience is a great teacher, and the dive ops in Palau have a lot of experience doing this sort of dive.

 

[Hank49]

Hank point was that that even rocks and dead coral have algae and what not living on them and they would suffer, that's taking environmentalism too far, and if thats what you believe then stay out of the water altogether. :***:

that was a joke. PETA? Smiling face? Anyway, I suggested permanent moorings in an earlier post but not to the surface. Anchor or pound a steel rod nto the crevases between the coral heads reef with a ring at the top, maybe 4 feet tall. Tie a 6 foot piece of light rope to it so divers can just grab them as they drift by and hang on for a few minutes. Let go when they're done and drift off to the deep. They'll never touch the reef. The hooks work but people don't get attached every time the first try and tumble over the coral. Or, they're in a hurry and hook onto anything and aren't choosey about "dead" rocks.

 

[MoonWrasse]

While I oppose divers damaging coral reefs, dead or alive, and given that it is likely illegal to remove coral dead or alive in Palau, realistically reef hook diving probably causes far less damage than other sources such as fishing, El Nino, or the heavy fighting in WW2 at Palau/Peleliu island.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Peleliu
http://www.coral.org/newsletter/pdf/2004/Coral_Current_Fall_2004.pdf#search='palau%20coral%20law'

 

[Albion]

Start of dive is good too, but please re-read my post:

"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 key word there is "at the END of your safety stop." At no time did I advocate practicing this "during" the safety stop. I guess I also need to add, only practice this if you have sufficient air supply remaining. Don’t do it on a very low or empty tank.

I noted your post see my later comment, but someone else wrote they would practice "on" their safety stop.

True he is, but not everyone reading this is! OWSI orignal post did say at the end of your safety stop try it, which is ok

 

[erichK]

The problem with new divers is that they simply don't know what they don't know. Dangers they may face. Sometimes they rely on others for guidance in instances like these. Possibly the best thing to do in situations like this, assuming one is able to recognize possible challenging conditions or other factors beyond one's comfort zone, is to ask and demand close professional supervision. And if that is not available sit it out. Easier said then done. Before booking a charter, do some research. What sites will you be diving? What are conditions like? If conditions are not within ones skill and experience level - avoid. In the event conditions worsen when at dive site or one is expanding one's limits, will you be able to count on professional supervision in the form of a buddy pro if you so desire. How many divers will this pro supervise at one time? What do others who have been on this charter have to say.

The problem is that there seems to be little standardization to the rating of dives and sites. This is partly understandable, because conditions can be very different. A dive along British Columbia's Browning Wall is considerably more challenging than a Cozumel wall dive. Although the dangers of current, depth, surf and boatd are shared by both, the extra problems buoyancy and weight problems of diving in a dry suit are not. By the same token, I found a dive down to the 100 to 120 foot deep BC wrecks is at least as challening as a couple of significantly deeper dives in Saba and Cuba.

Palua's high current reef dives sound like something people should--at the very least--get some special training for and warnings about. And, while many B.C. dives are without any in-water divemaster or guidance (often because of the need for a live boat), it does seem like dives such as these in Palua should have an in-water divemaster for every half dozen or so divers...at least for the first couple of times they try what sound like rather tricky maneuvers. Judging from what I know of the rate of pay for divemasters, I doubt that it would break the bank (and I'm sure the tips would be great!).

 

[mm777]

If you did have panicky moment and it can still happen to experienced divers, there is less risk if you decide to head for the surface with a fast ascent. remember the last 5 m (15ft) is the area of greatest pressure differential and a fast ascent after a long or deep dive could get you bent. YMMV

So in the event you experience a fast ascent to the surface, should you immediately go back to 15 feet and do a complete safety stop after the fact?

 

[mm777]

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.

What should she have done? Should she have tried to control her panic, kept breathing and just waited for some help? If she didn't have a mask, could she have done a slow ascent and stop without being able to see her gauges clearly? (this is of course if she didn't have the entanglement issue to deal with). What would have been the best course of action?

 

[MoonWrasse]

What should she have done? Should she have tried to control her panic, kept breathing and just waited for some help? If she didn't have a mask, could she have done a slow ascent and stop without being able to see her gauges clearly? (this is of course if she didn't have the entanglement issue to deal with). What would have been the best course of action?

She still could've seen her guages, if held close. Also in a current if the current is too much you can turn 180 so that the current hits your back instead of your front side.

I prefer an analog SPG to complement a digital wrist computer - dials sometimes are easier to read in an emergency.

The real problem IMO was the manner she was secured via reef hook, i.e. entanglement.

 

[mm777]

Good info....I appreciate it. (Bubble viewing wasn't covered in my OW).

First, strong current. Don't sweat it. Do you think it feels windy when you ride in a hot air balloon blown by the wind? You'll be moving with the current. Aside from getting slammed into the wall or rock outcroppings, its the least of your concerns. Second, old-tricks-dept: assuming you're completely horizontal in the water column, bring up your wrist with your computer/whatever to a position in front of your face (e.g. right below you). Cup your other hand over your eyebrows. Exhale through your nose. Sufficient air will be trapped by your eye sockets and cupped hand to allow you to read through the 'bubble' thus temporarily formed. Try it in the pool. Amaze your friends. Third, the entire point is to not lose your buddy. Even if you lose your mask, you still ought to be able to see that ugly blurry blob that is your buddy. Your buddy should still have a mask, and should set the ascent rate. What's the probability that you'll both lose your masks at the same time on the same dive? (If it happens, take all your savings from the bank and buy lottery tickets.) Forth, "slowly and carefully" is relative. If you're a recreational diver, this means you're within No-Decompression Limits. This being the case, and considering the fact that you're being carried farther and farther away from the boat, 'up is good'. Pressure on your ears is bad, plus you'll feel less pressure and notice more ambient light as you approach the surface. Bent can be fixed; dead cannot. 30 years ago an ascent rate of 60 feet per minute was the norm for sport divers. So "slowly and carefully" when a dive has gone to hell means "within control at a rate somewhere between 30 fpm and 60 fpm, together with your buddy". YMMV.

[/HIJACK]

 

[Albion]

So in the event you experience a fast ascent to the surface, should you immediately go back to 15 feet and do a complete safety stop after the fact?

On recreational no deco dives once at surface stay there, if youve done damage doing another stop wont help