My first dive incident (long)

[wedivebc]

My wife and I had already found another LDS to take our training from before this incident. Certain experiences during the AOW course in terms of who they sent to the open water portion had already shown me that we weren't going to be happy with the original LDS. My wife in fact certified with the other shop, and we are both much happier with the training there. She had five students in her class and two instructors. For OW, I'm very happy with that ratio.

I too think that with the right environment (warm clear water, next to no lead, and easy diving) that my friends will do much better. I think the combination of heavy gear along with the trepidation of a first dive without a leader really made things difficult for them.

I also intend to "suggest" integrated weights or a harness to them. I don't think they are particularly interested in my backplate setup, but then I have dreams of going tech someday and they don't. No need to push my opinion on them in that regard. Integrated weights would have certainly kept the push-me, pull-me effect from making the situation that much more stressful for them.

I don't plan on bringing up the idea of local diving again, at least not until they have done their trip and are more comfortable with their abilities.

Anyone around Denver willing to take on a rookie diver for local water?

I would like to add me 2cents here. I have read this thread with interest and some surprise at some of the posts so these are my impressions.

- I think you did exactly what you were suppose to do. Everyone made it back OK right?

- Kudos on preventing the lead recovery operation, could have ended tragically since diver A was not comfortable with 1 weight belt how would he have handled 2. Plus how much air did he have after using his reg for a surface swim.

- You are certainly ready for rescue training. Anyone who can keep their head when all about them are losing theirs is rescue material

- Although I pay about $0.80/lb for lead I still think $1.70/lb is a small price to pay for human life.

- We learn from our mistakes and near misses. Thanks for the courage in posting this. I learned a lot.

- If you ever get up to Vancouver Island I can show you some cool dives.

 

[Web Monkey]

Basically we threw 120 bucks in the toilet because we didnt do the second dive of the day, and we embarassed ourselves because everyone else on the boat had a great time. The boat operators kept trying to get us in the water for the second dive, but we said fuggedaboutit.

I'll never understand why dive operators (and other divers) try to get someone to go back in when they don't want to.

My favorite so far was when the boat crew in Cozumel kept trying to get me to dive with a torn BC inflator hose on my #7 dive.

FWIW, I'm not usually happy diving with more than one new/changed piece of equipment at a time.

Terry

 

[divenut2001]

I absolutely agree with seabear70 100% in that you got some "invaluable" experience even though you may not realize it yet. Again, you handled it perfectly. I'ld dive with you anytime.

If you ever plan to dive in California look me up. We can dive the majestic kelp forrests of Monterey or go down to the Channel Islands down south and dive San Clemente Island aka "America's Galapagos".

 

[DandyDon]

I know that getting to Santa Rosa NM is a challenge for you guys; it is for me, too. That's where I go to practice, though, check out new gear, etc. The Blue Hole there gets a little crowded, but it's a good place to practice depth, and Perch Lake is good, clear water diving to just practice diving.

All of your drive-to options are cold and high altitude, 2 factors that make diving dicey enough for newbies, so stay out of the poo-viz waters. At Santa Rosa, at least you can find divers who panic and sink, dropped gear, etc. Get your forusome together for a road trip often, and get some practice on your wife & buddies.

And soon. The Blue Hole there is always the same temp, but gearing up in a cold pakring lot can be a drag. In the winter, I'll do it all in my motel room, then drive to the Hole in my suit. One of y'all might go pay Stella for the permit and tanks, then come back to the nearby hotel. Perch Lake gets really cold in the winter. I practiced there in April for 50oF diving I was going to do in Calf a month later; very appropriate for that, but not for newbies.

 

[Wijbrandus]

I know that getting to Santa Rosa NM is a challenge for you guys; it is for me, too. That's where I go to practice, though, check out new gear, etc. The Blue Hole there gets a little crowded, but it's a good place to practice depth, and Perch Lake is good, clear water diving to just practice diving.

All of your drive-to options are cold and high altitude, 2 factors that make diving dicey enough for newbies, so stay out of the poo-viz waters. At Santa Rosa, at least you can find divers who panic and sink, dropped gear, etc. Get your forusome together for a road trip often, and get some practice on your wife & buddies.

And soon. The Blue Hole there is always the same temp, but gearing up in a cold pakring lot can be a drag. In the winter, I'll do it all in my motel room, then drive to the Hole in my suit. One of y'all might go pay Stella for the permit and tanks, then come back to the nearby hotel. Perch Lake gets really cold in the winter. I practiced there in April for 50oF diving I was going to do in Calf a month later; very appropriate for that, but not for newbies.

Don,

Our basic OW was done at Santa Rosa. I think that's a great site for diving. Minus the 6 hour drive and required hotel stay, of course. Good vis, cold water, and decent food.

I agree, that still sounds like the best place to go. I've got a diving cruise coming up at in two and a half weeks, and then we booked a cheap trip to Cancun the first week of November. This is for my wife and I. When we get back from those two trips, I think I'll be ready to try a trip to Santa Rosa again.

 

[DandyDon]

Don,

Our basic OW was done at Santa Rosa. I think that's a great site for diving. Minus the 6 hour drive and required hotel stay, of course. Good vis, cold water, and decent food.

I agree, that still sounds like the best place to go. I've got a diving cruise coming up at in two and a half weeks, and then we booked a cheap trip to Cancun the first week of November. This is for my wife and I. When we get back from those two trips, I think I'll be ready to try a trip to Santa Rosa again.

Uh - can we argue a little here...?

Take your wife before and between those trips.

I've got 205 dives, and I've saved a couple of butts myself - although never 2 on one dive like you, and I drive 4 hours each way to practice there if it's been a couple of months.

Invite the other couple, too...

 

[jhansen]

It seems like everyone has a story about their first dives. If all of you are OK, then it wasn't a bad dive. Use it as a learning experience. My fourth Open Water dive was a bad one. The second day of our dive, the last dive for certification, I felt a sinus
cold comming on. I dove the third dive on Sunday and had problems equalizing. I couldn't clear my ears after that dive. I should have stopped there and finished my certification with the next class. Being my bullheaded self, I dove the fourth dive that afternoon. When I was going down, I felt pain in my ears. I should have stopped and went back up to equalize. I had people below me and above waiting to descend. I forced myself down, trying to equalize and did the last certification dive. When I came up, I knew that something was wrong. I couldn't get all of the water out of my ears. A few days later I went to the emergency room and was referred to a EMT Specialist. I broke blood vessels in both middle ears. After two weeks, I had surgery on both ears to relieve the pressure. I'm still recovering ! Please listen to what your instructor has to say. It's very important! If you don't feel a ease don't dive that day. I had a wonderful time and as soon as my doctor releases me, I will be down there again. There is no peer pressure when it comes to diving, so there is no reason to feel bad about calling a dive.

 

[Wijbrandus]

Uh - can we argue a little here...?

Take your wife before and between those trips.

I've got 205 dives, and I've saved a couple of butts myself - although never 2 on one dive like you, and I drive 4 hours each way to practice there if it's been a couple of months.

Invite the other couple, too...

I can't get to SR before the end of the month when my cruise is. I did schedule a pool time for my wife and I to just practice gear assembly, skills, etc. That's as close as I can get.

I would certainly like to get down there before our October trip, though. If for nothing else, I'd like to see the bottom of the bell.

 

[FreeFloat]

Quick comment -

A lot of people seem to think the problem with Diver A complaining of "not being able to breathe" can be tracked back to her wetsuit being too constrictive. If indeed she's a "size above the rest" perhaps the problem instead lay with her jacket BC?

During OW training I was in a jacket BC that while it was a little big on me, was teh smallest available at the time and was "made" to fit me. However during our "rescue scenarios" I found that when inflated all the way it compressed my chest and diaphragm such that I was absolutely unable to draw more than a "sip" of air. To a near-panicking diver that would almost guarantee full panic. In my class of course I was calm enough to think to release a bit of air, but if I had been panicking I would not have thought of doing so.

Just a tidbit to think of.....

 

[Wijbrandus]

Good news.

Talked to my buddy today, and he feels I made the right call. He agreed that his wife was in a total panic, and that sent him into one too. He didn't even think of his weight belt until I shouted at him. He said it was a good call, so that's a big relief.

They went to the casino the next day, and won a good chunk of money. More than made up for the cost of the lead, and then some. So they don't give a darn about the cost of the lead anymore either.

I guess sometimes things really do come around. I'm a happy camper again.