missed a dive. buddy-check problem?

[Jeyung]

I don't have nice acronym like Jamdriver does, but I was trained from day one prefrom a full system check of my buddies gear, then re-check my own after my buddy checked mine. Do this everytime you head for the water. Goes something like this...

Are all the tank straps used? check
Tank secure? check
Check hose routing? (anything going to get tangled? are they secure?)
Air On? check (do I hear/feel an air leak? Did the gauges shatter?)
Check gauges.
Breath on reg watching the gauges (everything ok?)
Breath on octo watching the gauges (everything ok?)
Use power inflate (did I hear the air? do I feel the bc inflate? do I see bc inflate?)
Oral inflate (do I feel the bc inflate?, do I see the bc inflate?)
Check dump valves. (hug bc if needed)
Check ingrated weights. (if any)
Check straps (are they open/unhooked for easy doning of gear? do the look secure, are the buckles cracked or spilt? do they move easily for adjusting?)

Once gear has been donned...

Check hoses (everything clear, no taggles?)
Check straps (everything clear, no taggles?, nothing binding, overly stressed straps/improper fitting bc?)
Review weight system
Reg and Octo still breath?
Inflater still working?
Double check gauges/computer
Got fins? Got Mask?
Got extras... Camera? Lights? Toys? Bags?

All the while watch the your buddy for physical problems.
Are they breathing heavily without doing much work?
Are they cold before getting the water with a wetsuit on? (and it's dry)
Do they look ok in a general sense?
How are they reacting to having their gear on? Any changes?

Now go dive...

I know some of people I've talked with balk at the idea of watching out for physical signs that your buddies doing ok. And to them I have story, during a check out dive with the local dive shop an experineced card holding driver tagged along for a refresher of sorts, just didn't look right once he walked chest deep into the water. Turned out the colder the expected water, dry reg air, and having just recovered from cold, all combined to trigger his asthma. Physically he had chest pains, he turned pale, then had real problem breathing. Lucky he was smart enough to keep and inhaler around, even though he hadn't used on in years (so he said). He sucked it down and felt better, but he would not be diving with us that day. If his buddy had not said "your not going, get out of the water.", who knows what would have happened. He really thought it was the cold water and gear causing his problems, not his asthama.

 

[RiotNrrd]

Here's a fun story:

My buddy and I were diving in Cancun a while back. We got on the boat, and as it was heading out set up all our gear, tested it, etc....then sat back and jawed with other folks on the boat. After about 30 minutes, when we got to the dive site, we hopped in and started our descent. After about 15-20 feet, my buddy swims to me and motions "no air" and motions me to check his tank valve. I check it, and its completely closed. I open it, and everythign proceeds as normal (I was really impressed he didn't **** himself, but he has a lot more experience than me - I would have been freaking out, I think, as it was only like my 6th dive, including my certification dives).

Later, I learned that on dive boats, it's not uncommon for the staff to shut valves off during travel time. I guess it's a safety issue, or somethign like that.

Anyway, we assumed that since we checked our gear once that is was good. Bad assumption - check it all right before you get wet, or you might get a surprise.

Riot

 

[charlie78]

Buddy check once your suited up we alway's learnt - B.W.R.A.F or to make it easier

Burger With Relish And Fries

B = BC - does it inflate, check the dump valves, is the tank secure.

W = Weights - where are they (belt, integrated) ensure you know how to release them, is it a right hand open etc.

R = Releases - check all releases on BC and weight belts are they secure.

A = Air - is it on? Check the guages. Breath on reg and octo checking the gauges for flucuations

F = Final Check - give everything a once over and check your buddy is cool and ready to go.

 

[Markdone]

Here's a fun story:
Later, I learned that on dive boats, it's not uncommon for the staff to shut valves off during travel time. I guess it's a safety issue, or somethign like that.

Thanks for sharing. We do the Toss All Your Gear In And Jump method a lot - and I was taught to turn the air off after inflating the BCD so if a reg free flows when you toss your gear in, it won't drain your tank. That means another safety check in the water. I can state for a fact my reg (SP S600 on a SP Mk2) will breathe 3 times after the valve is closed - or about 6 fsw - so now I don't forget the check.

But, what I really want to know is - what is the protocol on a boat? I'd be pretty unhappy if the crew turned off my air after I rigged up. If they told me ahead of time they wanted the air off until the 10 minute call, I'd be ok, but otherwise - hands off!

What do the experts think?

Mark

 

[captndale]

Here's a fun story:
Later, I learned that on dive boats, it's not uncommon for the staff to shut valves off during travel time. I guess it's a safety issue, or somethign like that.

Many divers forget to turn their air on before getting into the water. So many that on most boats, including mine, a dive master will automatically check each diver's valve before they jump in. I have seen as many as 20 to 30% of the divers on my boat try to go in with their air shut off - and this is not unusual. On the other hand, I have also experienced some dive masters or boat crew who mistakenly turn the valve the wrong way. I have had this happen to me. I *always* check my gaas by looking at my SPG and breathing from each second stage just before stepping off. It has saved me from embarasement more than once.

 

[utnapistim]

Later, I learned that on dive boats, it's not uncommon for the staff to shut valves off during travel time. I guess it's a safety issue, or somethign like that.

Anyway, we assumed that since we checked our gear once that is was good. Bad assumption - check it all right before you get wet, or you might get a surprise.

Riot

Nope. Not a safety issue.

A few months back we went for two shore dives by car, with a large group. After the first dive we changed tanks, put all the gear in the pickup and drove to the second site.

By the time we got there i had zero pressure on the SPG. (I guess that would be 1ATA). Turns out the driving combined with my rig placed under others had someting pressing on the regulator.

Apparently I was either the only one who didn't know to turn air off before driving, or the only unlucky one.

Lucky me, they allways caried a spare tank for these kinds of occasions.
I got to use it.

 

[Babydamulag]

We always play the "incentive game". If you are discovered (oh yeah, discovered) to "NOT' have turned on your air....guess what.....you get to buy the staff a round of their favorite beverage and sing our little song (to the tune of YANKEE DOODLE DANDY)...."I will always check my air, my air, my air" .....it is amazing how much it increases awareness to do the "B-W-R-A-F" procedure. Get in their wallet and they pay attention and it saves their lives.