Only for those who have seen "Open Water"

[ArcticDiver]

First the classic TV warning:

This thread discusses the ending to a movie that you may not have seen. If you don't want to know what the ending is then don't read this thread.

Also, be advised that, contrary to some opinon, this movie is not a documentary and therefore has many portions that, although based on reality, are in fact fiction. Like most movies for maximum enjoyment you must willingly suspend reality for the movie's duration.

Warning over.

The final scene with the female star has her removing her BC and sliding quietly into the ocean to her doom. Certainly a scene of sadness and despondency.

While this is a fantasy movie, it is based on a true event and did raise a question in reality. Just what would You do if put into a similiar circumstance? Would you go for a day or so then just slide away? Or, would you float as long as possible? Or, ...?

First of all being left behind can and does happen. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Even though I carry a RescueLaser, Marker Buoy, Whistle, and DiveAlert I recognize that it is possible to be left behind. It don't happen often. But it does happen.

 

[letterboy]

OK this is my first post here i have been hanging out on this and other boards but anyway. . .

I thought the movie was cool but had way to much filler, the mere fact that a shark bit the guys leg and the water had blood in it, lots of it, and the sharks just "went away".
:06:

I believe that if all hope were lost i would have had to have attempted the worlds deepest dive on a single tank of air. so that instead of being shark bait i could at least see some cool stuff before i died. . .

anywho next?


John

 

[DavidPT40]

You can't survive if you commit suicide.

 

[letterboy]

Yes i may commit suicide but imagine being in the water over 24 hrs no sign of help you are dehydrated not thinking straight the only thing you want is it to be over. IMO

 

[DavidPT40]

Theres always a chance you could be rescued. A person can survive about 12 days without drinking, if they dont exert any energy.

 

[Tx_Jeff]

Theres always a chance you could be rescued. A person can survive about 12 days without drinking, if they dont exert any energy.

I believe the rule of three apply with anyone, in that you can't survive the following without some sort of physical or mental damage happening:

1. 3 minutes without oxygen
2. 3 days without water
3. 3 weeks without food

Again these are the basic functions of life and without them you cannot survive.

 

[DavidPT40]

During the naval battle of Gudalcanal, a U.S. ship was sunk and its survivors drifted in the ocean without food or water for 12 days. Only ten sailors survived, but it is possible.

 

[PRL]

Not sure about me, but USS Indianapolis seamen have commited suicide to escape shark attacks. As for divers in water, I could imagine that after a few days I would have a hard time resisting drinking seawater and that could bring a whole new set of problems. Also take into account that infection might also start setting in. Suicide is starting to sound better and better.

 

[EricJ]

This may be a bit off topic, but I found the scene where the divemaster was giving the dive briefing to be very realistic.

It seems like people continue suiting up and talk during dive briefings. I've often felt like I've missed information because of distractions made by other divers.

The character who forgot (lost) his mask also seemed very realistic to me.

 

[medic_diver45]

I have personally heard (through documented medical reports in the journals) of survivals up to and including to 16 days without water. The "Rules of Threes" as posted above is just a guideline.

Personally, given my choice, I don't think I could be pushed to the point of suicide again (I've been to the brink before, after losing a friend in a car accident, I was the medic who took care of him and questioned my worth as a human being because I couldn't save him) regardless of the situation. It just violates every tenet that I now hold dear. In the scenario described, lost at sea, you are not beyond hope, unable to be saved until such time that you close your eyes that last time. And you won't know when that is until it happens....yes you may suffer, but you might just live too....JMHO