Oops! forgot something

[Dave in PA]

I guess this is the right forum for this. Last weekend, a group of us was getting ready for the first morning dive. We were diving with 2 buddy pairs, attempting to locate something that was dropped during a dive a couple of weeks earlier. I neglected to test my power inflator after hooking the low pressure line to it. I realized this at 15' when it wouldn't add air. I automatically manually blew a puff into the inflator. (something I practice at least once each dive) At the same time I am looking at it, I'm thinking "that doesn't look right". I motion to my buddy that my inflator hose is no longer connected to the BC inflator. He reaches over and plugs in the hose. I check it and it is working fine. We both flash the OK sign. Total time elapsed, maybe 15 seconds.

This reinforces two things:

1) CHECK AND RECHECK YOUR GEAR BEFORE YOU GET IN THE WATER!

2) A buddy can fix something easier and quicker than you can....IF THEY ARE CLOSE BY. Stay close to your buddy! Especially during descents and ascents, as this is when an equipment problems seems most likely to 'surface'.

 

[simbrooks]

Had the same thing happen to a buddy of mine, i must have missed it on the buddy check or it was in place, but not on tight. The buddy thought something was up when it wouldnt pump and so started to kick to swim up. Stopped the buddy and asked, signalled inflator not working and i saw it wasnt attached, after that dive was fine.

I would say that a buddy can fix things about the same speed as you, but they have the advantage of having an all around view if you have to find the problem - you dont, but should be able to find and fix this kind of thing quickly. Otherwise can the dive if its something major or likely to become more of a problem later.

 

[cowprintrabbit]

1) CHECK AND RECHECK YOUR GEAR BEFORE YOU GET IN THE WATER!

2) A buddy can fix something easier and quicker than you can....IF THEY ARE CLOSE BY. Stay close to your buddy! Especially during descents and ascents, as this is when an equipment problems seems most likely to 'surface'.

I second this!

I had the same thing happen to me in May, I had missed it, we had rushed the buddy check :11: , and my husband was too far away to notice there was anything wrong or to help me with it. Good thing it was something easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hecker-the-wrecker]

Took this one for granted, we launch from shore with b.c inflated, this weekend i'm going to Lake Superior and launching from a dive boat.Take a guess what I will be checking, (and double checking)!!!!!

 

[Charlie99]

I stopped doing embarrasing things like walking to the entry point w/o fins after I started using a mnemonic for a thorough self check:

My Friends Are Way Cool.

Mask, fins, air-air-air, weights, computer-camera.

"air-air-air" is 1) breath from primary while checking tank pressure, and watching for SPG needle fluctuations to make sure valve on, 2) test breathe octo, 3) listen to the inflator while doing a short burst into the BC.

The computer check is 1). On. 2) reverify EAN mix %, 3) reverify NDL at a couple of target depths.

It may sound silly, but making it a ritual lessens the probability of forgetting something.