Raining students at Vortex

[MikeFerrara]

Just thought I would describe an incident that happened to us over the weekend. We took an Open Water class down to Vortex. The plan was to make two dives on Friday, two on Saturday and then hang out and dive with our newly certified friends. Friday was not too crowded and vis was good (what you would expect). Friday night it rained and Saturday there were a lot of divers. Visibility dropped dramatically. I had three students, my wife who is a DM and my son. We were on the platform under my float and line doing skills. Just as I was preparing to do a CESA with a student the student after looking up, like he should to ascend, points upward and does nothing else. I looked up to see people, bunches of them, raining down on us. I reached up just in time to catch one by the tank before he hit me in the head with it. I guided him to the bottom slowly. You see he was in one of those but first uncontrolled descents. I then was able to move my student out of the way with my DM. I then proceeded to guide one more student all the way to the bottom and catch another just in time to prevent him from landing on the second. I then watched as the instructor and what I presume was a DM knelt on the bottom and began conducting skills. They didn’t so much as wave or flash an OK. They must have noticed that they started their class down right into our bubbles. They must have seen me catching and escorting their students to the bottom. They then proceeded to have students start removing their masks. Being totally amazed by the whole thing, I watched. In a matter of moments one of the mask less students kicks into all out panic mode and begins to claw his way to the surface. The instructor, slow to realize what is happening, (I saw it coming) is unable to do anything other than follow the student to the surface without even being able to slow the ascent.

I posted this story because I seem to remember a similar vortex story on the board recently. I couldn’t help but wonder if the same instructor trampled us. I decided not to confront the instructor. I am sorry now that I didn’t. What do you think I should have done?

 

[Rick Murchison]

This is one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't situations. What I'd like you to have done is stay put, deflect the falling debris, and when the instructor finally arrived direct him and his herd off the platform. This might save me some heartburn down the road sometime.
Getting out of the way obviously won't deter this fellow in the future, but under the circumstances it was probably the most efficient thing for you to have done.
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And then there's the "Rick" solution... Only go to Vortex when there's no place else available. Your experience is one of my reasons. (And it isn't Vortex's fault, either... it's just the environment that's evolved there)
Rick

 

[JamesK]

That happened to me at Blue Grotto a couple of weeks ago. Twice I had someone land on me. Once while descending in what originally was a clear area below me, I had my legs taken out by someone who swam right into the back of them.

 

[icemyst7]

Oh great Vortex is going to be my first dive this weekend. Let's hope that I make it thru with out getting trampled.

 

[MikeFerrara]

I just hope that instructor isn't your instructor.

 

[icemyst7]

I know my instructor pretty good and I just can't see him doing something like that. Atleast I hope he wouldn't!!!!!! They weren't with DivePro were they?!

 

[MikeFerrara]

Stacy,
I don't know who they were. I wouldn't worry. I think most people would see this comming.

Mke

 

[roakey]

Sounds like a typical Blue Hole weekend to me. Blue Hole is yet another site mentioned in the "50 dives in 50 states" Scubadiving article (New Mexico). Scubaturek and I head down there every couple of months to get wet and practice skills.

My favorite is when the weight belts whiz by when an instructor fails to get their class above the ledge before the removal/replacement drill.

Roak

 

[Riderforlife13]

We had a group from Shreveport that was going to train at Vortex but they didn't leave until Sunday and didn't start OW until Monday. It couldn't have been them, thank goodness. I'm doing my OW in a LARGE lake so hopefully we won't be having that kind of problem.

 

[ohiodiver]

Hey Stacy, I feel the same way. We're going to be certified at Vortex in about three weeks. The only thing I'm hoping is that it is not quite as hectic there during the week. Anyone know that to be true or false?