I was at our local quarry helping a new diver who was also new to using a drysuit and to diving cold water. We had spent a lot of time on the surface as she was fairly uncomfortable and having problem after problem. We were near the stairs that lead from the platform into the water when her weightbelt fell off. I managed to catch it and bring it up onto the bottom step. She was standing on the third step which left her in hip deep water. I was moving the weightbelt up the stairs one step at a time and struggling a bit with it because it was heavy and I was between her and the 2X4 that serves as a railing for the steps. I get the weightbelt halfway up the steps when I feel a tug on my regulator and realize I've managed to hook the hose over the railing. I try backing up but can't seem to free the reg hose. There are several people on the dock who had been helping us with the weight check but my head is just far enough underwater that I can't ask for help from anyone and no matter how I shift I can get no more than my eyes out of the water and I hadn't brought my snorkel. I keep my primary in while I try switching to my secondary which is bungeed under my chin and discover I have THAT hose hung up as well (it runs under my arm) and the reg ALMOST reaches my mouth...but not quite. Now I'm starting to get those pre-panic thoughts...I'm afraid to remove my reg from my mouth and try to lift my head to ask for help because I'm not sure I'll be able to get my head up high enough to talk and I'm terrified of the possibility I won't be able to get the reg back in my mouth if I shift my position. I lay there face down listening to everyone talk (ears are out of the water that's how shallow I am) and trying to squash the rising panic. We haven't even been under yet I tell myself, this tank is almost full and they will certainly realize there is a problem when you're still laying here in two hours. I get my mind back under control and try backing out again to no avail. I still can't feel where the hoses are caught and I'm still stuck between the railing and my standing dive buddy and SERIOUSLY longing for my snorkel. I remember the story my instructor told me of a local DM or Instructor (don't remember which) who drowned at another local quarry after getting tangled in a line that let him get his eyes out of the quarry but nothing else. He panicked and dropped his reg and drowned, luckily someone in his group noticed and he was freed and revived. I'm determined not to follow in his footsteps and refuse to let go of my reg knowing I can't drown as long as I'm breathing air. However, I can't get help unless I drop the reg and I'm not sure if it will get pulled out of my hand when I try to get my face above the surface. An eternity passes and still nobody is wondering why I'm still face down on the steps, ok maybe it only felt like an eternity but SOMEBODY should have asked if I was ok; I mean they ask if I'm ok when I'm doing NORMAL things why not when my behavior is abnormal. I finally have the courage to remove my reg and try to get someone's attention. I think I grabbed my dive buddy's leg to pull my face above the water and squeak "Give me your reg". She hands it to me and I manage to get in a position where I can free my own regs then return hers. Needless to say I'm feeling a little mentally drained by that time and she's still having issues to we opt to abort the dive.
Ber :lilbunny:
Ber :lilbunny: