New Experience in Pond

[KOMPRESSOR]

We never found the jeep and they want us to come back tomorrow with wetsuits.

WHAT were you wearing, DRYSUITS??? (Don't tell me you were divning without suits...)


I don't know about rules and regs in your state, but here this is COMMERCIAL DIVING, even if you don't get paid. To me it seems like you guys are way off your tracks anyway, so leave it be. Please?

 

[toodive4]

I do this for a living... so listen up. Leave the job to the professionals. You have no idea what is in that pond. Depending upon where you are in the world, ponds may be toxic, full of poisoness snakes, snapping turtles, entanglements, entrapments or other unforeseen dangers. Low visibility, unknown conditions, cold temperatures and inexperienced divers add up to one thing - often dead divers.

I had a friend call me today and said that somone had accidently ran a jeep into his pond. He asked me if I would dive down and attach a cable or rope to the bumper so they could pull it out. I told them I would try. I called another friend to go with me. We both geared up and swam out to where it was suppose to be located. We were informed that the depth was approx. 30 feet
The surface temp was great very comfortable but vis was only about 2 feet. As we starting going down the temp rapidly decreased. By the time I was around 15 feet the vis decreased to about 1 foot. my breathing started to really speed up and I was taking rapid short breaths. This made me feel pretty uncomfortable. I think it was primarly the temp of the water that made my body start doing that and the vis was not too comforting neither. My buddy continued to about 25 feet where he said he did not reach the bottom and it was too cold for him. Has anyone else experienced something similar to this? We never found the jeep and they want us to come back tomorrow with wetsuits. I am really not too sure about this. The one thing that concerns me is your cannot tell how fast you are going down and really even which way is down. I have a fear of running up on a tree at the bottom (we were warned that there was a tree nearby). I am looking for some experienced advice.

 

[Snowbear]

I am all for getting proper training to help one deal with a given situation. I was just looking for this to be more of a learning experience.

I'll join the other pro's to the chorus of please, PLEASE!!! learn from this experience and get some real training before making another attempt to get the jeep.

You did well by aborting the dive when you did. Kraken actually alluded to it, but one thing I've learned in life (not just diving) is, "Listen to The Voice!"

Was it really a deadly situation that I was putting myself in? I know there are many factors to consider but I did not really consider it extremely dangerous. Am I wrong?

Yes, It was potentially a more deadly situation than most recreational dives you'll likely ever do. With a foot or less of visibility, you will not even know the hazards until you encounter them.... then you won't even be able to see to figure out what the hazard was that "got" you :11:

You didn't consider it extremely dangerous because you had absolutely no idea what the danger was... "You don't know what you don't know!"

So please.... leave it to someone who knows what they're doing or take the time and spend the $$ to get the proper training and equipment to do the job.

 

[Saipanman]

As a SCUBA instructor and an attorney, my two cents are:

this situation is exactly why we have professional divers and insurance companies to pay them.

 

[dbg40]

...that makes these boards a scary place for the "rookies" et. al.

D.S.D.

Of course, youre right. I did'nt realize that the little jeep was in water so deep that it was beyond hope. Or that the vis was absolute 0 and unpenatrateable by any and all light sources. And one should never attempt to use ones head on their own, to there abilities. Never do anything that may give you more confidence in your abilities. Hire others to do every task, as hooking a winch cable to the bumper of a little jeep is a deadly task that takes years of training.

 

[The Kraken]

Perhaps I'm not reading as much into what was asked of the poster to accomplish as other readers are, but . . .

"He asked me if I would dive down and attach a cable or rope to the bumper so they could pull it out."

The only task requested of the poster was that he attach a cable or rope to the Jeep, that is all. He was not asked to remove the vehicle from the pond. Just one relatively simple task.

The only elements of this dive different from any other dive is reduced visibility and temperature.

The poster and his buddy called the dive because of the progressively worsening conditions. (However the separation of the buddies when one diver continued to a greater depth is not to be applauded)

The divers recognized the complications of the dive and have set about to plan a dive in such a way that it will be safe to accomplish the requested task.

Overall, I think they have shown, for the most part, good judgement and proper problem solving skills.

Diving with a diver "experienced" in this case will do nothing to change the temperature of the water, increase the visibility, reduce the increased SAC's due to a hostile dive environment and identify possible hazards in that given dive site. Those things are constants and are recognized as such by the participating divers.


the K

 

[dbg40]

Perhaps I'm not reading as much into what was asked of the poster to accomplish . . .

"He asked me if I would dive down and attach a cable or rope to the bumper so they could pull it out."

The only task requested of the poster was that he attach a cable or rope to the Jeep, that is all.

The only elements of this dive different from any other dive is reduced visibility and temperature.

The poster and his buddy called the dive because of the progressively worsening conditions. (However the separation of the buddies when one diver continued to a greater depth is not to be applauded)

The divers recognized the complications of the dive and have set about to plan a dive in such a way that it will be safe to accomplish the requested task.

Overall, I think they have shown, for the most part, good judgement and proper problem solving skills.

Diving with a diver "experienced" in this case will do nothing to change the temperature of the water, increase the visibility, reduce the increased SAC's due to a hostile dive environment and identify possible hazards in that given dive site. Those things are constants and are recognized as such by the participating divers.


the K

Well said.
Completely agree about the seperation of buddies in that situation, definately a no no. Also agree that the poster did the correct thing by calling the dive, good judgement shown. He seems likely to try again, after further planing which shows good judgement yet again, and gives all indication that he would not hesitate to call the dive again should the need arise. While I do not advocate diving over your head (no pun intended) this, to me is not a particularly difficult task, and will do much to boost confidence, and skill.
At some point, a diver may find themselves in a siuation that will stress them, and having these little adventures under their belt will come in handy.

 

[av8er23]

OK, I have learned what I need to from this situation. I am not ready to do something like this. I will leave it up to someone else. Thanks everyone for the great inputs.

 

[DeepSeaDan]

Of course, youre right. I did'nt realize that the little jeep was in water so deep that it was beyond hope. Or that the vis was absolute 0 and unpenatrateable by any and all light sources. And one should never attempt to use ones head on their own, to there abilities. Never do anything that may give you more confidence in your abilities. Hire others to do every task, as hooking a winch cable to the bumper of a little jeep is a deadly task that takes years of training.

...that you & I have a difference of attitude when it comes to safe diving practices.

"av8er"'s only reference to his experience level was that he was a "rookie"; that leaves one to try & give advice based on what was contained in the original posting. IMO, the original post gave strong indications that this individual was heading for potential trouble should they pursue this activity. Lines like: "my breathing started to really speed up and I was taking rapid short breaths. This made me feel pretty uncomfortable" suggests to me the individual was experiencing significant anxiety in this pursuit, which could possibly initiate the panic cycle. "My buddy continued to about 25 feet where he said he did not reach the bottom and it was too cold for him." Seperation in these conditions ( or any, for that matter ) indicate an unfocused, possibly reckless approach to the task ( the lure of "the find" can be very strong, as is the desire for success & the recognition to follow...). The fact that they called the dive & are now pursuing experienced advice indicates to me this individual has the POTENTIAL ( intelligence, common sense ) to engage in such endeavours IN THE FUTURE, after gaining more experience / training.

It is a published fact that most diving related injuries / fatalities involve inexperienced individuals who dive beyond their personal capabilities & limitations.

Further, IMO, people who profer opinions &/or act as advisors on these public boards have a responsibility, especially to the novice divers, to temper their advice carefully. By not being actively involved in the actual situations described, or knowing anything about the individual posting other than what is presented in their personal file & in their post(s), we are asked to dispense advice. I feel it is crucial to maintain a very conservative approach to such advice. New divers must be imbued with a healthy respect for the environment they are just coming to know. This type of attitude forging should begin in basic training. I believe many of the problems encountered by recreational divers could be substantially reduced if diving leaders would take the time to ingrain in new divers the absolute necessity of a conservative, cautious philosophy / approach to diving activities.

Regards,
D.S.D.

 

[DeepSeaDan]

OK, I have learned what I need to from this situation. I am not ready to do something like this. I will leave it up to someone else. Thanks everyone for the great inputs.

I am very pleased to see you have made the right choice av8er23. There will be many more adventures in your diving future, & you have demonstrated the necessary reserve to wait until such time that you have gained the necessary experience & training to pursue more complicated u/w tasks. I urge you to continue to learn from every source available. If certain pursuits interest you, seek out the experts in that area & ask their advice - just as you did in this situation. Continue to listen carefully to their advice and progress at a speed no faster than what is comfortable for you.

Best of luck & keep us informed of your progress.

Regards,
D.S.D.