Same ocean diver found dead - Guam

[boulderjohn]

I know of 3 specific cases in which a diver signaled an intention to end the dive early, returned to the surface alone, and died along the way. I once had to end a dive very early because of a bubbling hose, but in that case it was okay to let me go alone because I was so very close to the beginning of the dive and the reason I was ending it was obvious and not related to health. If there is any hint that the diver may have trouble on exit, someone needs to be with him or her.

 

[Centrals]

I always dive(rec or tec) with buddy/ies and everyone can call the dive any time for any reason. No question asked. Surface together.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

IMHO..... Discuss and plan your dive with your buddy. But.......EVERY dive should be planned and executed as a solo dive. If your dive plan is at all dependent on your buddy...... then that is a bad plan.

 

[Shasta_man]

Photographers are also frequently solo divers or should I say act as solo divers

 

[DandyDon]

Photographers are also frequently solo divers or should I say act as solo divers

Yes, except if my buddy needed to call the dive, I would go with him to ensure he exited ok before I went back down.

 

[John the Pom]

I always dive(rec or tec) with buddy/ies and everyone can call the dive any time for any reason. No question asked. Surface together.

That was always our rule - we weren't happy unless everyone was happy. Much rather miss a dive than have a dive end up in a rescue / incident / injury, or have someone in the group endure a miserable time because they didn't feel they could speak up.

 

[Miyaru]

Maybe instructors can make a difference for the future.

Following standards, a course-dive ends when the student is out of the water and out of his/her equipment. Until that moment, it's the instructor's responsibility and liability. That little detail is extremely important.
That detail should be emphasized as an essential part of the buddy system. A dive doesn't end at the surface (just the divelog does), a dive ends when you and your buddy have taken off your fins and BCD.

 

[boulderjohn]

IMHO..... Discuss and plan your dive with your buddy. But.......EVERY dive should be planned and executed as a solo dive. If your dive plan is at all dependent on your buddy...... then that is a bad plan.

Medical events, including cardiac arrest, are not part of a dive plan. If such an event occurs, the most self-sufficient diver in the world will benefit from a buddy. If someone is experiencing a medical need to the degree that he or she feels it necessary to end the dive, then all those plans should be over.

 

[Centrals]

IMHO..... Discuss and plan your dive with your buddy. But.......EVERY dive should be planned and executed as a solo dive. If your dive plan is at all dependent on your buddy...... then that is a bad plan.

I believe most of us have been taught on the procedure of buddy separation. Search for 1 min and then surface.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I believe most of us have been taught on the procedure of buddy separation. Search for 1 min and then surface.

Yep..... That's what I learned and also what I taught.. But in reality up here in the PNW.....for the folks I dive with.......unless otherwise discussed and agreed, our procedure in case of separation is search for approximately one hour, get your limit..... and then meet back at the boat...

I definitely agree with Boulder John that a "live" buddy would come in mighty handy in certain situations like a medical issue or serious entanglement...... but for the most part I just dive with my 19cf buddy.... "Silent Bob". Never panics, always wants to go when and where I want, never leaves my side, never gets in trouble or needs my help......and most importantly...... never bitches or complains.... thus the name..