Terrible first dive after OW

[divermit]

Hi All,
I am posting my first diving experience after my OW certification. I am looking to get some constructive feedback on what I did wrong so that I did not repeat my mistakes.

I met up with my buddy (his first dive as well after OW)for the first time early in the morning and drove to the site. We talked about our certification dives and about what we wanted to do going forward. We decided to do a predive briefing once we reached the site. We were diving with a larger more experienced group and expected some direction from them.

At the site we suited up and the dive leader suggested that we go into the water for a dive briefing (it was very hot). Strangely my buddy asked me to help with his tanks and then bolted into the water with the rest of the group. I was stranded and had another diver (from another group) do my buddy check. I waded into the water after that. My buddy was already with the group and made no attempt to go through any hand signals. The dive leader mentioned what signal to use to turn back - and we were off diving.

I went down by myself to 12 ft and tried to get neutrally buoyant. I felt I had a lot more weight on me and the dive shop I rented from probably overestimated my +ve buoyancy. I then swam to the group who immediately made off for the wall on the far side of the cove. My buddy was nowhere to be seen and the visibility was about 10ft. Given that we had not discussed what would happen if we lost contact, I decided to swim for a minute and then go to the surface. I reached the wall and saw the group below. I joined them and went looking for my buddy. This is when I suddenly became positively buoyant and slowly ascended. By the time I had controlled my ascent and dived to 20 ft again, the group was gone. So again I decided to swim for a minute and then surface. After a minute, I went up and I saw the dive flag. There was a slight current and I found it difficult to swim to the flag and descend again. After a few failed items, I decided to abort the dive and head to shore. This was getting too dangerous. I swam back on the surface and cramped. Everything went downhill for the rest of the day. Also, I noted that when I was trying to navigate using the compass under water the needle would wildly swing from left to right with very little movement on my part.

Overall a poor fifth dive. I am seriously considering whether to dive again because I did panic at the very end when I cramped.

Thanks everyone and have a great day!

 

[Dr Dog]

Why quit now? it can't really get any worse...

I think it was frustration on your part that kind of invited Murphy to the dive.. I had a situation where my buddy today, could not get down, no matter what she tried. So after watching her from the bottom for about 30 mins, I decided I would surface and bob along the river with her. why? I need buddy practice. I am not good at keeping an eye on my buddy, sounds like your buddy does too

 

[boulderjohn]

I have a number of questions.

When you certified, was it in similar conditions? Did you have similar wet suit? Weighting?

You talked about a dive leader. How was that arranged? What was the understanding of this person's responsibility (if any) to the group? What were this person's credentials?

How did you get this person as a buddy? Was it prearranged, or did it just happen at the site?

When you said your buddy asked you to help with his tanks and then bolted to the water, do you mean he left you to set up his gear while he went to the dive briefing? DO I understand that the dive briefing began while not all participants were ready to attend?​

It sounds as if this was a group CF. You most likely found yourself overmatched trying to keep up with a group that was not much interested in you or your needs. If I were you, I would find one good person (or maybe a couple) who can be a true buddy and plan and execute a dive at your ability level. That way if you have buoyancy issues or other problems, no harm done--you have someone who will be with you and make appropriate adjustments with you rather than a group that really doesn't seem to care if you exist.

 

[mala]

sounds like your first real dive was a solo one.

find a better buddy and a better group.

you did ok-just remember you are responsable for your own safety so if in doubt end the dive.

i hope the next one is better.

all the best.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Hi All,
I am posting my first diving experience after my OW certification. I am looking to get some constructive feedback on what I did wrong so that I did not repeat my mistakes.

I met up with my buddy (his first dive as well after OW)for the first time early in the morning and drove to the site. We talked about our certification dives and about what we wanted to do going forward. We decided to do a predive briefing once we reached the site. We were diving with a larger more experienced group and expected some direction from them.

At the site we suited up and the dive leader suggested that we go into the water for a dive briefing (it was very hot). Strangely my buddy asked me to help with his tanks and then bolted into the water with the rest of the group. I was stranded and had another diver (from another group) do my buddy check. I waded into the water after that. My buddy was already with the group and made no attempt to go through any hand signals. The dive leader mentioned what signal to use to turn back - and we were off diving.

I went down by myself to 12 ft and tried to get neutrally buoyant. I felt I had a lot more weight on me and the dive shop I rented from probably overestimated my +ve buoyancy. I then swam to the group who immediately made off for the wall on the far side of the cove. My buddy was nowhere to be seen and the visibility was about 10ft. Given that we had not discussed what would happen if we lost contact, I decided to swim for a minute and then go to the surface. I reached the wall and saw the group below. I joined them and went looking for my buddy. This is when I suddenly became positively buoyant and slowly ascended. By the time I had controlled my ascent and dived to 20 ft again, the group was gone. So again I decided to swim for a minute and then surface. After a minute, I went up and I saw the dive flag. There was a slight current and I found it difficult to swim to the flag and descend again. After a few failed items, I decided to abort the dive and head to shore. This was getting too dangerous. I swam back on the surface and cramped. Everything went downhill for the rest of the day. Also, I noted that when I was trying to navigate using the compass under water the needle would wildly swing from left to right with very little movement on my part.

Overall a poor fifth dive. I am seriously considering whether to dive again because I did panic at the very end when I cramped.

Thanks everyone and have a great day!

"We decided to do a predive briefing once we reached the site." - Mistake number one. The actual predive briefing should have taken place when you both decided to dive. Either in person or on the phone. You should have discussed the goals for that specific dive and what actions you would take to achieve them. And gone over it again in the car on the way there.

"We were diving with a larger more experienced group and expected some direction from them." Big mistake number two. Diving with a group and not as a buddy pair. And expecting anything from them at all. This was your dive. Not theirs. When your buddy decided to join the group you no longer had a buddy. He was part of the herd. To avoid this forget the group is there and decide what your responsibility to each other is. Or do not dive with him if you don't know. I have an entire chapter on buddy skills in my book that begins with the one item I feel is most important - communication, effective communication. This seems to have been absent here to the degree it was required.

"My buddy was already with the group and made no attempt to go through any hand signals. The dive leader mentioned what signal to use to turn back - and we were off diving." - Mistake number three and four. Three - Communication out the window. Those should have been gone over on the way to the site. Four - this was your dive, why would you use the dive leaders signals? You decide what signals to use with your buddy.

"I went down by myself to 12 ft and tried to get neutrally buoyant." Number 5. You should not have descended alone. You and your buddy should have been making eye contact on the descent. No buddy. No dive. Thumb it.


"I felt I had a lot more weight on me and the dive shop I rented from probably overestimated my +ve buoyancy". Number 6. Why is the shop estimating your buoyancy? You should know how much weight you need and how to verify it is the correct amount. You were presumably shown how to do a buoyancy check and adjust your weights. Another item I cover in detail in class and in my book. My students do buoyancy checks with my guidance the first night in the pool. After that they do their own every session and for their OW check outs. They are expected to adjust that between dives 2 and 3 if need be without my assistance.

" Given that we had not discussed what would happen if we lost contact, I decided to swim for a minute and then go to the surface." The dive should have not occurred without this being covered. I'm short on time but will pick this up tomorrow.

 

[boulderjohn]

Well, now that Jim has soundly thrashed you about the head and shoulders and promised to come back for the rest of your body tomorrow, I'm sure you feel really positive about diving.

It can be really tough starting out. You had a class that told you the way things are supposed to be, but we have all had classes in many subjects that teach us things that are different from the real world. SO we go out with more experienced people, and we expect to learn how the real world dives by diving with those more experienced people. It is really hard to know what to do in those circumstances. I remember it all too well from my own experience.

You'll be OK. There was much to learn from this incident. If I understood it more, I might be able to provide some more help. If you are still feeling like participating, please answer some of the questions I asked before and I'll see what I can do to give you some help.

 

[chrpai]

An OW cert is just the starting point to go out and learn. You had a rough day but ultimatly you thumbed the dive and lived. You'll learn from that and it'll get better. I'd start by finding an experienced diver (this is a good place to look) who knows how to be a good buddy and a good mentor and go diving with him or her a couple dozen times. You'll gain a lot more experience and learn what it means for you to be a good buddy and mentor as well and before you know it you'll feel really comfortable.

 

[Divejones]

Divermit

Before we go onto 'Mistakes made and Lessons learnt', the best thing you have done after this eventful dive, is to report the matter at SB, over a few more posts, i assure you, you will feel far more relaxed, as a rain. having said that, what really caught my attention is the fact that, you felt that you had more weight than needed, then how come you became positively buoyant suddenly could it be you weren't prepared yourself. remember while diving (If you continue to, that is) there will come times when you'll have to take sane decisions, panic free, that is important. going over possible eventualities and what should you do, in the safe confines of your room/classroom becomes that much more important.

I am a Solo diver, look at it this way, you had fun time enjoying your solitude ! No?

PS
you shouldn't have descended without your buddy (Did he know he was your buddy, apparent from his behavior, he did not know/know the importance of it

 

[Bratface]

Don't give up on diving. You asked for constructive criticism, so here is what I offer. Your buddy and you being brand new divers (ink still drying on your c-card) should have discussed the buddy check, dive briefing especially what do do if you get separated. Did you let the dive leader know how brand new you were? I am sure he or other would have looked out for you. I agree with finding an experienced diver who doesn't mind helping the newbie out. I am happy to help out a new diver and there are plenty like me.

Keep reading your OW manual, it will help you remember better. Also when I was a new diver, I wore my BC around the house while cooking or doing dishes. Sounds stupid and I'm thankful nobody came to the door, but it helped me feel more comfortable in it and know where my releases were. If there is a pool at your LDS, pay for some time to get in there and practice your skills and buoyancy. Take a buoyancy class and keep diving.

Don't let this incident keep you from becoming the diver you want to be.

 

[Divejones]

also, how did you swim back ? as in, the way you swim normally or lying on your back, it is apparent that you swam back like you do in the pool, try lying on your back with BCD infalted and gently moving your legs (With flippers on that is). can swim for hours, especially at night. it is beautiful. second to only an orgasm !