Notifying the team

[TSandM]

It had been analyzed, but not by me. It had actually been analyzed that day.

 

[Blackwood]

the team leader was not happy that I hadn't informed him of the change in status.

If I flash you 'OK?' and you can honestly answer 'yes' (meaning you have enough gas to complete the dive as planned without breaking rock bottom), there is no change in status.

 

[lamont]

The reason I brought the question up here was that the team leader was not happy that I hadn't informed him of the change in status. I didn't think it was necessary, and it sounds as though most of you don't think so, either.

The rest of the issues with the dive, as I said, have already been discussed and I've taken the lessons to heart.

Ignoring the gas analysis question, then IMO, it was necessary to communicate.

Easiest way to do that is to simply unclip your SPG and show it to your buddy.

 

[fisheater]

I vote "communicate." Sure you had enough gas for the dive, as planned. However, the team leader needs to know your gas status in case of unexpected contingency.

Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that you'd ask this question, considering your well-known demands for full buddy checks, including gas status.

 

[Blackwood]

However, the team leader needs to know your gas status in case of unexpected contingency.

That's what rock bottom is for.

Communicating isn't going to hurt anything (provided it's clear... just showing an unexpectedly low SPG is asking for misunderstanding), and I'd probably do so, but I don't think it adds value in this case.

 

[TSandM]

Well, if somebody showed me a gauge that was 1000 psi less than I expected, I'd assume they'd had a leak, a freeflow, or some kind of malfunction, and I'd cut the dive short.

The only way I could figure out to do this one would be to write in my wetnotes that I had misread my gauge and had less gas. But that would be a hassle, and since I still had enough gas to stay within parameters and complete the dive as planned (or more) I didn't think it needed to be communicated. It seems to me that you let the leader know if the gas changes the dive plan.

 

[Rainer]

The lack of gas analysis is also the bigger concern to me.

Otherwise, personally, I'd be fine continuing the dive (as the diver in question or the teammate). We've set a plan ahead of time, we still have enough gas to meet that plan, and certainly min gas, and we're in shallow water. I'd rather avoid the confusion.

 

[lamont]

Well, if somebody showed me a gauge that was 1000 psi less than I expected, I'd assume they'd had a leak, a freeflow, or some kind of malfunction, and I'd cut the dive short.

I'd probably communicate "<bubbles> <question>" and maybe a "<turn dive> <shrug> <question>". If what I got back was a "<no> <i'm okay> <keep going>" I'd get the idea that it was not a gas loss issue, but a starting gas quantity issue -- or at least that we're clearly good to go, but there's clearly less gas -- which is all I really need to know. I can also look at your gas now and look at your gas in 5 minutes and reassure myself that you're not profusely losing gas.

If it gets confusing then its time to whip out the wetnotes and start writing down what happened.

But just because communication might be a little confusing isn't a reason to not communicate.

 

[Blackwood]

Well, if somebody showed me a gauge that was 1000 psi less than I expected, I'd assume they'd had a leak, a freeflow, or some kind of malfunction, and I'd cut the dive short.

Yup.

Leak, gauge malfunction, abnormally high SAC rate, etc., are detrimental to rock bottom (hence such communication must be clear).

The only way I could figure out to do this one would be to write in my wetnotes that I had misread my gauge and had less gas.

"Gauge, 1-5-0-0, me, OK"

But just because communication might be a little confusing isn't a reason to not communicate.

Nope. If it's necessary to communicate, do it.

 

[kanonfodr]

If I was the dive leader, I would prefer you tell me your gas status and we talk it out <question><turn around> <no> before I do a check and possibly turn early because of confusion. Granted, half of a 130 is still plenty of gas (about as much as many of my regular buddies start with) but if I'm expecting you to have 2500 psi and you only have 1500 I will become concerned (and thus annoying).

Peace,
Greg