When to call a dive... a question of limits.

[Jcp2]

We had just finished all the confined pool dives as part of the OW course and went in next weekend to schedule the open water dives at the quarry. I watched as a fellow student struggled to get into a rental 2 piece 7 mm suit for fit, followed by hood and gloves. I looked at my daughter and we called off all the local dives for a referral in Hawaii.

 

[TDiddy]

Similar story... I have boy/girl twins that are almost 14; my son got certified when he was 12 and my daughter last year. We drove 8ish hours to Mermet Springs last April. I was working on my AI cert and my daughter was one of a few other OW students. The water was cold - I was in a drysuit. Instructors didn't have a wetsuit that fit her, so they attempted to put her in a 3 mil with a larger 5 mil over top. She couldn't move well and she was nervous but she wanted to try. I got in the water with her and called it after about 30 seconds. She did her OW dives in Belize in June and had a blast.

 

[KDAD]

Similar story, too. My daughter did her OW this past summer. We both dove the quarry in our 3mm with hood and gloves. The instructor wanted her to make a brief excursion below the thermocline to hit the 40 ft. mark but everytime she got to 25 ft. she would go no deeper. At one point she her computer did read 26 ft. when she stuck her hand through the thermocline.

One dove she did call as she wasn't feeling it. We did one dive in Cozumel with a private DM that we booked as she still had a low dive count at that point. She sat out the second dive so it was just he and I on the dive.

 

[markmud]

This is precisely the point. So, this was taken the day before they called the dives and we dove that day. Of course, by "we" I mean others. We all have different limits. I'm a fairly strong diver to the point that mondo currents don't affect me as much. In addition, years of racing canoes and cave diving have given me a great understanding of currents and how to escape them. But when it comes to seas, at least for now, I just won't expose myself to anything over three. That will improve over time, I am sure.

Our limits not differ from each other, but they also differ from time to time.

• Set your limits
  • Adjust as needed
• honor your limits!

Hi Pete,

"So, this was taken the day before they called the dives and we dove that day."

As I remember, the picture was taken around lunch time. We had returned from the morning dives and the conditions had worsened while we dived. Cathy and I watched from our balcony as the pictured boat went out and then came back to the pier. I walked down to the pier and spoke with the crew upon their return.

The next morning, Sea-Esta attempted running the channel and reported that they had stuffed the bow into a wave and that there was "green water" coming over the fly bridge visor. The green water broke the visor. Sea-Esta radioed in and Reef Divers cancelled our dives for at least that day. Sea-Esta also reported a bench had broken partially free on the weather deck, back aft. This info was confirmed by Sea-Esta's captain and the vessel's owner in my presence later that morning. Sea-Esta is a sister to the pictured boat; however, the owner removed the forward facing windows and fiber glassed-in the holes for this very reason.

I called some dives on DV Vision. A hot-shot instructor chastised another passenger and myself for thumbing the dives. We both have knee issues. Our knees were feeling the pain from kneeling on Vision's swim step while boarding. The hot-shot instructor implied that we were "p*ss**s". I smiled at him, and the other diver told the hot-shot that his knees could not take anymore abuse.

"In addition, years of racing canoes and cave diving have given me a great understanding of currents and how to escape them."

Pete, you and I are no longer youngsters. Our age combined with high mileage has taken a toll. We can't do the things, and survive nasty situations like we used to. Becoming that old b*st*rd, isn't fun; but we are there.

No excuses bud!

Hang in there Big Kahuna!
m

 

[The Chairman]

The hot-shot instructor implied that we were "p*ss**s".

This is just wrong on so many levels. Why do people do that? I feel quite immune to that kind of pressure, but many do not. If you push a person to dive and they get hurt, then you're just as much at fault as they are.

 

[Bierstadt]

No angry outbursts. No denunciations. No character assassinations. Nothing to punish them them at all. I dive with all sorts. I make it my goal to make sure that they have fun. I have fun when they have fun.

Ah, now I understand. Indeed, such reactions have no place in diving. My version of repercussions is like your example of not diving again with Darth Sharkvader. Not a verbal keelhauling.

 

[tep]

I've called dives and had buddies (well known and insta-) call dives.

Here in San Diego the Cove can be a glorious kelp dive or a nightmare. We were there one morning (0730) for a meetup dive. There are some folks coming out of the water already. The Cove looked like a washing machine on "turbo spin with extreme prejudice". One of the divers who dives there a lot said "sure, no problem." I rarely dive there so was thinking, "probably not", so I spoke to the guys coming out.

Coast Guard or Navy (don't remember which) Rescue advanced class - they'd nope'd right out in less than 5 minutes. "Too dangerous for training." "If I take my class out there I'll be hearing from the Master Chief and the CO and not in a good way."

A bunch of us decided to Bingo up to La Jolla Shores, where it was quite diveable. Not perfect, but not a rage-filled mixmaster.

Multiple times I've called dives short due to cold, and back on the boat or shore my buddy and I were both, "Man, I was hoping you'd call it." "I was freezing but I wanted you to call it." "Well, it looks like we've both learned something, then, eh?"

For some reason I tend to get insta-'ed up with visitors a lot, and often divers with less experience, or at least less cold water dives. I only have around 100 dives myself so still consider myself a n00b. I always say "anyone can call the dive, and I really mean that." I've had a few get called, and I've called a few, but I've never felt bad either way.

You can always dive another day.

 

[Dish]

Only dive I’ve ever thumbed in over 40 years was last week in Little Cayman. Wife and I had spent 20 hours in travel to get there and dove the next morning after we arrived. When asked if we wanted to dive that afternoon, I asked my buddy what she wanted to do. The lack of enthusiasm in her response was all that I needed to know.

 

[Scott]

I've called a number of dives for various reasons. Some long ago and some recent and some in between.

Called a night dive at Casino Point in So Cal when I entered (before the steps were in) and realized we were entering at a bad time. Heavy current, surge and someone dropped a weight belt.

Spent two days in a camper playing cards because the rain wouldn't let up, lighting and surface conditions.

Was in Key Largo with a group from the SB chatroom a few years ago. My ego got in the way. A diver asked if anyone wanted to "lightly" penetrate the Spiegel Grove. Hell yea. A minute later I cancelled. First time on the SG, didn't know this guy, didn't have all the right gear and wasn't familiar with how conditions could change.

Drove 14 hours to SoCal for a two day tech live a board trip. Arrived late to board the boat, didn't sleep well and woke up not feeling well and dehydrated. Sat out the day. Made two dives the next day and headed back home late in the afternoon. Cost per dive, expensive. Cost if I pushed it, endless possibilities.

Called News Year day dives because of hazardous travel conditions.
Called another NY Polar Bear dive after 30 seconds of bottom time due to SPG leak. Pre-dive checks were fine. Diving SM and brought a gauge up to verify and it started leaking at the crimp.

Called a cave dive a month ago because I had three strikes you're out battle with dry gloves. Forgot mine. Strike one
Buddy had a spare set so I removed the wrist seals and installed them on the suit ring. Also had to borrow his driving gloves for thermal protection, which were two sizes too small and cramped my fingers. Strike two.
While wrapping the bungee around a valve I pinch a hole in one of the gloves. 41*F water . Frustrated by everything. Strike three...I'm out.

 

[Dish]

I've called a number of dives for various reasons. Some long ago and some recent and some in between.

Called a night dive at Casino Point in So Cal when I entered (before the steps were in) and realized we were entering at a bad time. Heavy current, surge and someone dropped a weight belt.

Spent two days in a camper playing cards because the rain wouldn't let up, lighting and surface conditions.

Was in Key Largo with a group from the SB chatroom a few years ago. My ego got in the way. A diver asked if anyone wanted to "lightly" penetrate the Spiegel Grove. Hell yea. A minute later I cancelled. First time on the SG, didn't know this guy, didn't have all the right gear and wasn't familiar with how conditions could change.

Drove 14 hours to SoCal for a two day tech live a board trip. Arrived late to board the boat, didn't sleep well and woke up not feeling well and dehydrated. Sat out the day. Made two dives the next day and headed back home late in the afternoon. Cost per dive, expensive. Cost if I pushed it, endless possibilities.

Called News Year day dives because of hazardous travel conditions.
Called another NY Polar Bear dive after 30 seconds of bottom time due to SPG leak. Pre-dive checks were fine. Diving SM and brought a gauge up to verify and it started leaking at the crimp.

Called a cave dive a month ago because I had three strikes you're out battle with dry gloves. Forgot mine. Strike one
Buddy had a spare set so I removed the wrist seals and installed them on the suit ring. Also had to borrow his driving gloves for thermal protection, which were two sizes too small and cramped my fingers. Strike two.
While wrapping the bungee around a valve I pinch a hole in one of the gloves. 41*F water . Frustrated by everything. Strike three...I'm out.

I’ve always been a big proponent of the “three strikes” philosophy