So today I was working on double stage handling on the DPV after struggling with it during class last year. I had just finished a complete lap around the Bone and Hill 400 lines and was half way through my second lap transiting from the end of the Bone Line to the main line at the Maple Leaf, I was about 1,100 feet back when another SM DPV diver approached and signaled me. I couldn't see what the other diver wanted, but it was clear he wanted something. He proceeded to exit the cave, so I figured I should follow him.
On the way out I saw the problem, his long hose was leaking gas. He was putting the pedal to the metal on the rental XJ he was running, I was struggling to keep up on my BT, having to step up to gear 7 several times. We were probably pushing 200fpm on the exit. I wasn't worried about gas, as I started this dash with over two thirds of my stage, and around 3,100psi in my 85s, plus another stage about a third full at the park bench.
But he was on the trigger through the Key Hole, I came off the trigger for much of the KH because I already had a 20ft stop. And due to his haste passed the tunnel into the tunnel to the Eye at first. Ultimately after I got him to the 50ft room, I asked if he was ok and when he signaled I returned to my dive. Completeing the last half of the circuit to get the second stage floaty, and did some stage drills back at the Park Bench where I left my first stage.
It was enlightening showing what a true emergency would look like. I talked with him after the dive, apparently he didn't notice that his long hose was free flowing. And when he finally surfaced he had around 400psi in his long hose. But he felt assured by having my light on him throughout the dash out. I suggested that he might want to detune his regs a bit. I left the obvious unsaid, because I think he realized it already.
On the way out I saw the problem, his long hose was leaking gas. He was putting the pedal to the metal on the rental XJ he was running, I was struggling to keep up on my BT, having to step up to gear 7 several times. We were probably pushing 200fpm on the exit. I wasn't worried about gas, as I started this dash with over two thirds of my stage, and around 3,100psi in my 85s, plus another stage about a third full at the park bench.
But he was on the trigger through the Key Hole, I came off the trigger for much of the KH because I already had a 20ft stop. And due to his haste passed the tunnel into the tunnel to the Eye at first. Ultimately after I got him to the 50ft room, I asked if he was ok and when he signaled I returned to my dive. Completeing the last half of the circuit to get the second stage floaty, and did some stage drills back at the Park Bench where I left my first stage.
It was enlightening showing what a true emergency would look like. I talked with him after the dive, apparently he didn't notice that his long hose was free flowing. And when he finally surfaced he had around 400psi in his long hose. But he felt assured by having my light on him throughout the dash out. I suggested that he might want to detune his regs a bit. I left the obvious unsaid, because I think he realized it already.
