Lessons to be learned-Death in Palau

[Chad_Ordelheide]

Wow, page 38 for me! Anyway, I just got back from Palau and here is my take.

1. Reef hooks could be detirmental to the reef, but they don't have to be. If someone is paying attention and aware of their surroundings. Then can choose from innumberable rocks to hook onto. I guess someone could say that there used to be coral there, but that another debateable topic. At Blue corner there are plenty of places to hook that don't damage coral.
2. I would be annoyed if the husband sued the Livaboard company. As sad as the situation is. Every diver has to be accountable to himself and his buddy. If you can't asses the situation properly. Maybe you shouldn't be there!
3. Palau is an awesome place, it's sad this all happened. It would be sad if the whole place got regulated to certain divers...etc. As we all know, dive sites and currents can change quickly. Everybody needs to know their limits and bail out if they have to.

I have about 50 Palau pictures on in my photo gallery. There are a few of divers using reef hooks in the "Diver Shots" section. Lots of fish too. Feel free to look!!

 

[Dyvingluvly]

Boy, when I read this story I was deeply saddened. I am scheduled to go to Palau and Truk Lagoon in the latter part of June. Now, I am scared to death to try the reef hooking thing. I have about 75 dives logged. Mostly in cold water (Southern California). I have dove in warm water also, and have logged about 15 drift dives. My pre-trip is to Cozumel in the beginning of June.

I do feel that the liability lies ultimately with the diver. I have aborted dives in Fiji and Honduras because I didn't feel comfortable. Thank you for your imput.

Wow, page 38 for me! Anyway, I just got back from Palau and here is my take.

1. Reef hooks could be detirmental to the reef, but they don't have to be. If someone is paying attention and aware of their surroundings. Then can choose from innumberable rocks to hook onto. I guess someone could say that there used to be coral there, but that another debateable topic. At Blue corner there are plenty of places to hook that don't damage coral.
2. I would be annoyed if the husband sued the Livaboard company. As sad as the situation is. Every diver has to be accountable to himself and his buddy. If you can't asses the situation properly. Maybe you shouldn't be there!
3. Palau is an awesome place, it's sad this all happened. It would be sad if the whole place got regulated to certain divers...etc. As we all know, dive sites and currents can change quickly. Everybody needs to know their limits and bail out if they have to.

I have about 50 Palau pictures on in my photo gallery. There are a few of divers using reef hooks in the "Diver Shots" section. Lots of fish too. Feel free to look!!

 

[Chad_Ordelheide]

Dyving,
Don't worry too much about the reef hooks. They sounds crazy, but we only had about 8 people on our dive boat. Our instructor was great and he would really watch divers with less experience. Theres a good current but if you have that many dives you'll be fine!! The boats are always nearby if you decide to go up By the way, I went to school in SoCal, and I don't miss the cold water one bit...Actually, it does have it's beuty, but the cold!!! Don't miss it! Happy diving, you'll most likely go through Guam on the way so enjoy the happy islands!!!

 

[Damselfish]

Reef hooking is something people should not comment on unless they've been there and tried it. It makes sense for the unique circumstances of some of these sites and the goal of the dives. I understand why there is a knee-jerk reaction that it's "bad" because it's been pounded into everyone not to touch anything ever. However if done properly it does not damage anything, you're not touching live coral and the hook means you're barely touching the dead stuff. (There wasn't that much of either in any of the places I did it, at the end of current swept sand channels.) Yes, people can screw up and damage something, but that is no different than anyplace. A whole group of people hooked in is quite likely causing no damage, with the same group on a reef a few of those people are probably accidentally bumping or kicking something.

All the stories make these dives and the reef hooking sound intimidating, but once you're in the water it's not so much. The strength of the currents varies a lot. If you have some experience and the current is not insane it seemed safe. It's not (or shouldn't be) newbie diving. Divers should not do these dives without decent experience, good skills and being very comfortable in the water. If you're uncomfortable at the hook area or anyplace getting there you should abort the dive. You need to know enough to know when the dive is wrong for you, and be willing to bail even though you spent $$$ to get there.

 

[scubatwinned]

I guess someone could say that there used to be coral there, but that another debateable topic. At Blue corner there are plenty of places to hook that don't damage coral.
!

It is an amazing dive spot, I could not agree more, will look at your shots.

If someone has dove Palau I don't think they could argue it was the hook that did the damage, but the hundreds of divers that don't and hold on with their hands and drape themselves over the coral or ex-coral!!

 

[zboss]

Water in your nose can not hurt you. However rushing to the surface because you have water in your nose CAN hurt you and endanger your buddy when you leave them. With practice you develop the correct reaction to water in your nose (blow it out).

I never had a problem with my mask until this past weekend, when I had a lip caught on my hood... in six foot seas, cold water, and your mask repeatedly filling with every breath, this freaked me out. YES - I did remember my training... relax, breath, calmly ascend, get bouyant, and signal OK... everything worked out, but there was a second there were I could have panicked because my nose was filling with water rapidly and goes down my throat during exhale.

This is something that should be covered better in class I think, maybe using a purposefully defective mask (or whatever).

 

[scubatwinned]

Boy, when I read this story I was deeply saddened. I am scheduled to go to Palau and Truk Lagoon in the latter part of June. Now, I am scared to death to try the reef hooking thing.

Chad and Damselfish have it right, relax and go slow with the hook. Try the Ulong Channel dive site first to use the hook. The currents there are nice and easy and it is a beautiful dive site, there are others also. Talk to the charter, DM, ask other divers. Tell the charter you would like to go to some easier spots first to try the hook. You DO NOT HAVE to dive the heavier currents to have an amazing dive trip in Palau. If you do not go to Pelleliu where the accident happened you will not miss out on your trip!!! HAVE A BLAST!!!!

 

[scubatwinned]

I never had a problem with my mask until this past weekend, when I had a lip caught on my hood... in six foot seas, cold water, and your mask repeatedly filling with every breath, this freaked me out.

It's amazing when you look back after the dive the little things that freak you during the dive eh!! I couldn't get the clip on a pony to switch it's position in a wreck one time. Made me insane... We had been through the same spot before and I had no problems... Not panicked maybe but frustrated?

Try a night dive on the Rhone in BVI was great.

 

[Dyvingluvly]

Thanks Chad for the information. My dive operator will be Sam's Tours. I did do a little research on this dive operator and have found that they come highly recommended. So, that eases my mind quite a bit. I will definitely talk with the DM and voice my concerns, let him or her know my diving experience and explain what the can happen if not done properly. Before a dive al always think about some of the things that can go wrong and what my plan will be. So, I try to stay prepared.

I try to dive at least twice a month when weather permits, and I keep up my skills by going into the pool to practice losing my mask, removing my BCD etc. Thanks for the info.

Dyving,
Don't worry too much about the reef hooks. They sounds crazy, but we only had about 8 people on our dive boat. Our instructor was great and he would really watch divers with less experience. Theres a good current but if you have that many dives you'll be fine!! The boats are always nearby if you decide to go up By the way, I went to school in SoCal, and I don't miss the cold water one bit...Actually, it does have it's beuty, but the cold!!! Don't miss it! Happy diving, you'll most likely go through Guam on the way so enjoy the happy islands!!!

 

[DameDykker]

Thanks Chad for the information. My dive operator will be Sam's Tours. I did do a little research on this dive operator and have found that they come highly recommended. So, that eases my mind quite a bit. I will definitely talk with the DM and voice my concerns, let him or her know my diving experience and explain what the can happen if not done properly. Before a dive al always think about some of the things that can go wrong and what my plan will be. So, I try to stay prepared.

I try to dive at least twice a month when weather permits, and I keep up my skills by going into the pool to practice losing my mask, removing my BCD etc. Thanks for the info.

I was there in March 2000 diving with SAM's Tours. Very compentent and safety oriented people. And yes, we also did Blue Corner - several times - and Peleiu Cut with reef hooks. One of the participants had only - I think - 13 dives prior to the trip and they took care of him in a very competent manner. Enjoy your holliday!