One comlacent diver...one cracked rib

[VaDiver]

Hi everyone...As a new member of this forum I would like to extend my appreciation for all who have taken the time to share their experiences. What started out for me as a simple search for advice on how to keep masks from fogging has turned me into a Scubaboard addict.

That said, I would like to relate an incident that happened to me which was the result of my becoming complacent in a sport that can be very unforgiving of complacent divers. Let me say that I am by no means complacent in my approach to any dive, but on this particular day I was lulled by extremely calm conditions that caused me to relax my guard when reboarding the boat.

This occurred in NC two months ago as I surfaced from the wreck of the Aeolus. This was logged dive # 59 and my eighth dive in NC. I was used to rough water in this area and had always taken great care to be very careful in following safe boarding procedures which are: wait until the ladder ends its plunge, then reach for the highest rung, put your knees on a lower rung and simply straighten your legs and your feet will fall in place. Sounds simple, right?

Well, on this particular dive the water was nearly as calm as a bathtub. Very rare for NC. Because of this, I casually swam up to the ladder and instead of immediately grabbing hold, I spent a few extra moments at the foot of the ladder. Don't know what I was thinking...maybe I was adjusting something that really didn't need adjusting. The ladder was motionless in the water and I got complacent and took my time. Then, just as I was casually reaching up, the ladder rose suddenly and whacked me in the rib cage, taking my breath away and causing lingering pain that took six weeks to disappear. It felt very much like the cracked rib I got years ago playing football.

Lesson learned: don't approach any dive situation with any attitude other than respect. Things can turn on you in a hurry.

I know this is not as dramatic as some of the threads but I would be interested in hearing about other accidents and near misses that might have been caused by divers letting their guard down, even if just for a moment.

Thanks for reading...

 

[mikswi]

Thanks for sharing!! The only boat dives I do are for being with seals, www.captainrobs.com. I booked 5 trips with him this year, I absolutely LOVE diving with seals!!

The very first trip with him I was nervous because of the situation that you describe. Fortunately, every trip I have done with him has been uneventful, as least in the manner in which you relate.

I have heard many stories but I am reluctant to repeat those that I have not personally experienced.

 

[SquattingRadishDM]

Thanks for posting VaDiver, not really much else I can add towards your incident. You learned from your mistake and thats that.

The main concern I have with ladders is divers underneath them whilst some1 is going up. I have seen on several occasions people loose their grip and fall backwards off the ladder and back into the water. Luckily on these occasions no1 has been underneath, most of the dive opperations I have dived with watch out for this, but its best to watch out yourself!

-Jack

 

[El Orans]

Thank you for posting this story.

We don't live long enough to make all mistakes ourself so we rely on others to tell us about theirs.

BTW welcome to the board.