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