My first 'unexpected' moment...BCD issues

[toddthecat]

The DM should have done more to enable you to dive safely... but he didn't. You cannot rely on every DM or Diveguide being professional or safe. Stick to what you were taught...and what you know to be safe... and don't rely on a dive 'pro' to do the right thing.

It is always best to assume that a DM or guide won't do anything to enable you to dive safely. That's where knowing and practicing the fundamentals of safe diving come into play. Not saying that there aren't good guides out there, but keep in mind if a DM is supervising several people you may not be able to get their attention as quickly as you may need it. If you rely on others to resolve all your problems underwater, you need to work on fundamentals more.

 

[DandyDon]

It is always best to assume that a DM or guide won't do anything to enable you to dive safely. That's where knowing and practicing the fundamentals of safe diving come into play. Not saying that there aren't good guides out there, but keep in mind if a DM is supervising several people you may not be able to get their attention as quickly as you may need it. If you rely on others to resolve all your problems underwater, you need to work on fundamentals more.

Yeah, I liked the rest of DevonDiver's post, but I don't suggest anyone expect a DM to do more than guide in the water, if that? Some Ops don't put a DM into the water; some do as guides only; some have DMs working the boat in exchange for free diving and don't expect much in return.

The buddy pair needs to dive as a self sufficient pair, and it they are not ready for that - then hire a private DM or Inst for additional help, then dive as a threesome not to be separated. I generally suggest hiring a private DM for the first ocean dives and only wish I had started suggesting such much sooner.

And this being a gear problem thread: Know your gear well, whether you own it, or test dive it in a pool or shallows until you do.

 

[DevonDiver]

I don't suggest anyone expect a DM to do more than guide in the water, if that? Some Ops don't put a DM into the water; some do as guides only; some have DMs working the boat in exchange for free diving and don't expect much in return.

I do.

I differentiate between a Dive Master and a Dive Guide.

Dive Guide means nothing. It is a job title. Dive Master is a formal qualification.

As a customer, when I choose a dive center to dive with, I do enquire if they use professionally qualified Dive Masters to guide their dives. That makes a difference in how much I am prepared to pay for their services...

If an individual has completed the DM course and gets work (even if voluntary) on the basis of that qualification - then they should use and demonstrate the skills, procedures and standards that were taught to them on the course.

The DM course stresses professionalism and being a role-model in respect of your attitude, diving skills and procedures. ANY qualified PADI DM not doing that should be reported to the dive center that employs them. Where safety is an issue, they should be reported to PADI (they are a PADI professional and represent that 'brand').

In an ideal world...and if PADI was serious about DM being a pro-level qualification, then the conduct and professionalism should be subject to a formal quality assurance system... and the DM certification should be revokable as past of that system.

In the situation described by the OP, the 'divemaster' was neither a proficient dive guide or dive master. He left divers behind and did not check on them (if not for safety, then even to ensure coherence of the group he was 'guiding').

 

[Pesce Leone]

Cheers Devon for the feedback I will try and be more aware next time! we'll be going to bonaire in about 2 months!! can't wait!!!!!

 

[Kicker1866]

The same thing happened to me earlier this year.....a free flow that inflated my vest and sent me to the surface. Fortunately, I was in Vortex in about 30' of water. I did not even think about disconnecting my hose as I was never taught that. Trust me....it will be the first thing I look for if I find myself in an unexplained ascent.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Inflator free flow or auto inflate...is the third most common scuba failure after reg free flow and the mouth piece falling off,, based on my observations.

It is absolutely crazy that it is not taught in class.

Not sure exactly what is being taught in classes now, since I have been out of training for a long time, but my response will be to roll onto my back, spread eagle, (which will drastically slow the ascent; even if bouyant), scream "sheeeeet" and simultaneously hold the inflator over my head, press the deflate button and attempt to disconnect the inflator hose.

 

[TSandM]

You are correct in identifying the major learning point from this incident. . .The DM should have done more to enable you to dive safely... but he didn't. You cannot rely on every DM or Diveguide being professional or safe. Stick to what you were taught...and what you know to be safe... and don't rely on a dive 'pro' to do the right thing.

Beautiful post, DD, although I also tend to minimize the importance of the DM in keeping folks safe, except for providing navigational assistance.

I haven't dived rental gear since my OW class, but I have had a number of leaking inflators. None quite so violent as the OP's, but enough to cause buoyancy issues. Being able to disconnect a hose quickly is a really important diving skill, and we really ought to do more to help students understand under what circumstances they may need to do it.

 

[Freewillow]

I know that this post is old. The same thing happened to my daughter. I have not seen anywhere on these two pages what I do SYSTEMATICALLY. During my gear check with my buddy, I push SEVERAL short times on my inflator. If you do this without incident, the chance that you will get a problem at depth is minimal.

 

[Adventure-Ocean]

This is a good thread. It certainly points out the need to actually learn to dive for your certification. Supplying a buddy with assistance, dumping air quickly from your BC, and disconnecting your inflator hose should have been learned in OW. This circumstance shows why. Learning to dive isn't only learning how to swim around breathing out of a tank with a regulator. It's learning what can go wrong while on a dive and being prepared to act safely. A stuck or broken valve has happened to me a few times. Usually when using rental equipment. It inspired me to keep my personal gear in safe working order. Your thread will encourage people to check their inflator valves and learn where their BC deflator valves are. Adventure-Ocean

 

[Jackter45]

As far as I know a buoyant ascent is survivable from about 30m but it would be something I would definitely NOT want to test. I had a not dissimilar incident where I was being rescued in an exercise in the pool when my buddy fully inflated my BCD to make the ascent instead of (as is normal) making a normal ascent if the casualty is breathing. I was at about 4-5m but it was scary nonetheless. I did not react apart due to the rescue scenario from forcefully exhaling. I have also suffered vertigo after a "ditch and recover" exercise from a similar depth.