The learning curve

[Drewski]

Hey SunGod:

From experience, I'd say that post was more about saying everything you wanted to say the day it happened but never could. Confession is always good for the soul, brother.

I know it feels bad, but things didn't go THAT wrong. They could have been MUCH worse. I would suggest that you consider STOPPING and "re-claiming" your ability when you encounter a significant problem, however.

What I mean by this is that you experienced something known as "cascade failure" after encountering the pack of marauding Barracuda. One problem starts it, then another happens, then another. When you look at serious safety accidents, including diving accidents, this is how they usually happen. It's kind of like Swiss cheese. You can't see all the way through a big piece, but once you start slicing it thinner and thinner the holes eventually start to line up. When they do - BAM - you’re in serious trouble.

"Re-claim" by STOPPING. Get a grip, sit down and go through a mental checklist. Check your equipment. Check your pressure. Check your buddy. Look where you are. Figure out your risk. Take a few "cleansing breaths." Calm yourself. Evaluate what you need to do next to get through the current situation. Take small steps to get there. If it starts to work, keep doing it. If not, STOP and start over again.

Now, use what happened to you to learn from. What were the failure points? What could have you done differently to stop stuff?

You obviously are serious about diving and making it work right. I was especially impressed by your offer to pick up that tab on the next dive. That shines with CLASS. Keep it up!

BTW, the only Barracuda you ever have to worry about are the ones longer than you are and, even then, they only want to watch .

Keep the faith and DON'T stop now...

 

[divekraz]

Funniest post I've read, glad you came out of it ok and seem willing to learn from your mistakes as it takes alot of courage to admit a mistake especially in a public forum. We've all been there at one time so don't feel like your the only one to have made a mistake before. You didn't mention a dive plan and the way the first dive went didn't indicate a dive plan. Plan your dive and dive your plan is said a lot but it's a important part of your dive. I'm surprised your buddy Scott, who you indicated is experienced let you lead the dive and do a wreck penetration, especially with the conditions you described, debris, torn steel and that this was your first ocean dive. You should never enter a overhead enviroment without some training, to many things to go wrong. Also if visibility was bad enough that you couldn't see the other half of the wreck you should've laid a wreck line to find your way back to the anchor line. BTW, no record of baracuda every attacking a diver, accidents in rare cases but no attacks. It's also very easy to critique your dive after the fact so take any comments I make as just my opinion and listen only if you think they're helpful because they're only said to be helpful. Paying for the next trip is also very comendable. Best of luck.

 

[fairybasslet]

Few of us write all that well, I know I make my share of mistakes. OTOH, a professional can't afford to do so.

Professionals have editors who fix things up.

Anyway, I think the OP is beating himself up too much. And, I think, if he is anything like me, he is going to be putting too much pressure on himself on the next dive and make it more likely he will mess up again. So do yourself a favor. Cut youself some slack. Enjoy yourself. Take it slow (or is it slowly) and learn from your buddy who is more experienced than you are. And honestly, barracuda are not going to hurt you unless you provoke them.

 

[Cacia]

that you both continued on a second dive despite the fact that you felt you needed O2 after the first dive.

ditto. But basicly, I agree with Rob. Big picture...think big picture.:handball:

You are a paramedic so maybe you were kidding about needing O2 and then popping back in for number two? Or maybe you all are doing recreational 02?

 

[TSandM]

This gives me an opportunity to bring up again one of my favorite Scubaboard threads: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=101323&highlight=Task+loading

It's a beautiful way to think about how to prevent the spiral of increasing stress and tension.

Bag shooting may not be relevant to the OP, but the sequence of Air, Buoyancy, Communicate and Dive is.

 

[Oriskany Divemaster]

Pointing out grammar and addressing typos are something for editors and close friends and not for those who don't want to fuel false hopes.

A few years ago I posted on a thread and was told not to quit my day job. Of course I didn't listen. So now I dive and I write, making a little money along the way. Sure I'm poor as hell, but I sure beats working for the Man.

I thought it was a great story, written with heart. He exposed his soul to the world of those who can easily critique every little mistake--both in the story, and in the telling of the story.

So, mate, good on ya! Nicely done.

Next time though, I'd work on the first act. It's a little too vague. I'm not feeling the characters' sense of over-confidence which would play nicely into the end where their confidence gets them into trouble. And remember, if you're going to introduce the cuda in the first act, make sure you at least reference them in the third act, otherwise it could lead to a lack of closure, leaving the reader feeling like all conflicts weren't resolved....

I'm kidding....Excellent story. I enjoyed it. Keep it going.

 

[scubatexastony]

BTW, no record of baracuda every attacking a diver, accidents in rare cases but no attacks. It's also very easy to critique your dive after the fact so take any comments I make as just my opinion and listen only if you think they're helpful because they're only said to be helpful. Paying for the next trip is also very comendable. Best of luck.

And honestly, barracuda are not going to hurt you unless you provoke them.

You might want to read this post from a friend from Texas:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=723040&postcount=33

From this thread:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=67366

tony

 

[Michael Schlink]

and what to do and not to do

Stay out of overheads (wrecks, caves, ice, and deco dives) until you have more experience and training.

I completly agree with Walter-cuda's aren't going to come rip an arm off, sure every now and then somebody gets nipped-if it's you you've got a great story to tell

When you realized you were off the wreck you started your ascent-good job, right call.
I am assuming you made a "normal" ascent with appropriate safety stops-all good so far. Learn how to "shoot" a bag to let the boat folks know you're not where you belong, at the very least put up a "sausage" while you're at your safety stop.

Only make the surface swim if that's the only option, see if they can throw you a rope/float or if they have a chase boat let them use it. If you have to swim, pace yourself-Again I'm with Walter, CO2 headache caused by improper breathing on surface swim. Keep in mind that overexertion could bring on a case of DCS.

I won't criticise you making the 2nd dive, only you know how you felt. I would suggest that if you have had an eventfull dive and are about to make another dive SLOW DOWN and get back to the basics-buddy checks,dive plan, air mgmt, etc. if problems start coming at you faster or more than you can easily handle it's time to call it a day.

Try not to have too many of days like these, but you did a pretty good job all and all.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Thanks Sungod, good report. Sounds like you learned a lot. Have a great trip next time.

 

[Fuzzmutton]

Actually, they aren't, but I assume that's a typo - haul - octopie and slow instead of slowly aren't. No kicking, I just believe in honesty instead of fueling false hopes.

Walter...dude!...you're harsh. Stephen King was told basically "not to quit his day job" by a teacher. Hmmm. Bet the teacher choked on that one.


I thought the post was hilarious for it's humor and enjoyed it immensely for the honesty. Sungod, I'm a perfectionist and I'm my own worst critic but you have to learn to let yourself make some mistakes as long as you can say, "What did I learn from this?" If you learn something each time you make a mistake, well then, you're not doing too bad.