Many of the topics discussed (like real gas planning, real dive planning and real buddy skills) are not generally given much coverage in recreational classes, so a lot of divers are completely unaware of many risks and how to handle/avoid them.
I agree that this is one reason why this thread will be very helpful - especially to newer divers. The thing is, at least in my experience, that while gas and dive planning are discussed in OW class, they aren't really executed (understandably) because everyone knows the dives are already planned to be safe. That is, you know you'll be down for about 30-45 minutes or so, at maybe 30'-40'. The dive boat goes out, you and a number of other (more experienced) divers jump over the side, the DM tells you to be back at 500 psi or 1 hour, and on you go.
Of course those dives are pretty much safe as is, so it works out (and you do "reverse plan" the dives in your log, that evening, to learn how to use the tables).
I suppose there is so much to learn in OW class, in a relatively short time, that they are concentrating on immediate skills such as breathing, buoyancy, etc. And of course no-one is doing deep dives in OW class.
(Now, to be fair, we *were* instructed to watch our gas levels carefully and often, and there were numerous drills on showing the hand signals for how much gas you had left, at various points in the dive.)
I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is that time when suddenly, you're not in OW class anymore, and there's a lot more room for error and for accidents to happen. When just a few dives ago (if you're a beginner), you were more or less assured that your dives were "safe" just by the structure of the boat (1 hour or 500 psi), the depths (the reef might only have been 35') etc.
This really brings home how "free" you are, as an independent diver, to make mistakes; and how you have responsibility to plan and execute. And I think that is going to help anyone who reads this thread. Even if it's just a reminder to advanced divers about how important their already-established routines are.
I know I will have this in the back of my mind when I am planning future dives. Some of the take-aways for me are as follows:
1) Only a few details mean the difference between safety and accident. One mistake might be something you can get past, but they stack up.
2) Plan the dive, and dive the plan (yes, you always hear that, but this makes it really real)
3) Like TSandM said, just smile and continue on if anyone laughs at you or rushes you during a plan or buddy check, even if it is an "easy" dive
4) On ascent, be really careful with the inflator button. If air is needed, use multiple small puffs rather than one large one (thanks Lamont).
5) Have DAN and other phone numbers handy.
6) Make sure the dive boat has Oxygen, and that you know where it is (in other words, don't be shy about asking before the trip commences).
7) If for some reason your ascent goes too quickly, and you don't yet have any DCS symptoms, re-submerge for a safety stop.
I'm sure there will be more, but these are just some of the things that are registering with me now. One of the main reasons this incident thread is so useful is that Sandie (and by extension, Matthew) has come here to share details with us, and to answer divers' questions. That doesn't seem to happen very often.
B.
