Would you dive with someone who wouldn't share air if you were OOA?

[aubie85]

A person who wouldn't share air in an OOA situation is selfish, and should NOT be diving. I don't believe that there is room for selfish people in diving. selfish=unsafe

 

[MagicChicken]

Thalassamania : Perhaps my post isn't clear. It's late, I can't sleep tonight. Sorry!

Greg's Law is just an additionnal incentive to keep an eye on the pressure gauge. I'd rather pay a round than suffocate and I would totally share the last 500psi if necessary. Moreover I would skip a safety stop to save someone. What I would not do is put myself in danger.

I didn't mean a complete lack of risk: diving is quite a hazardous hobby. I mean manageable risk, or if you prefer : "without any obvious danger". Like I said, if something goes wrong:

1) I can no longer help my buddy
2) Two divers have to be rescued

I expect my dive buddies to avoid putting themselves in danger as much as I do.

To further clarify the above post, when I say last resort I mean "Is it really necessary? Does he have enough air? Are we only 20ft deep?"...

My only air sharing experience was on a Philippines liveaboard. I had the same buddy for the whole trip and on this one dive his dive computer started displaying all sorts of crazy things. For example: 40+min of deco time at 15ft. Luckily there was no current and I happily shared my air once he got very low since I consumed less than he. The other divers were quick to get us a stage bottle. Easy enough. He had a backup computer and the rest of the trip went without any problem.

I've had a reg freeflow at 120ft in cold water. First thing I did was signal my friend to turn back. He offered his reg, but I didn't need it to reach the surface + safety stop.

Now, if there's a real emergency, I doubt OoA buddy would ask my permission to get some air. He would most likely grab my main regulator. After I've got the second reg in mouth I would check buddy's air gauge/evaluate the situation and act accordingly.

One thing I've learned so far is to calm down, take a deep breath and think. Not rush without thinking.

Starting a fight underwater isn't safe (avoid). In the end, I don't have much choice but to share. If the diver does have enough air, I would do my best to get him to ascend on his own supply. These are things we discuss prior diving. It helps as much as checking regularly both mine and his pressure gauges. My habits may seem to be too "by the book" for some divers. It has never been a problem so far.

I do understand that emergencies are usually unexpected and that the diver coming for my reg may not be "my" buddy. The same logic would apply.

Is my attitude that bad?

 

[Thalassamania]

Thanks for clarifying. One of the things that needs to be remembered is the "fight over air" is by-and-large an urban myth, it just does not happen often enough to be a real consideration in my mind. I'll grant you that my experience is, by and large, with a wholly different class of buddy, not the cattleboat insta-buddy, which I can't remember ever having, but when we've had to share air (and a few stories of when I had to may be found on the board) it has always gone off perfectly, polite request of air, air offered, air accepted, problem solved ... no fuss, no muss.

 

[MagicChicken]

but when we've had to share air (and a few stories of when I had to may be found on the board) it has always gone off perfectly, polite request of air, air offered, air accepted, problem solved ... no fuss, no muss.

This is what I meant: if asked politely, but there is no apparent need for sharing, I would politely refuse. Otherwise I wouldn't refuse unless my own air was short (and I should have been n my way back quite earlier).

I've seen some divers buddy breathing so they can maximize their dive time. Uhhhhh... not for me.

My two regular dive buddies are double tankers. Air sharing isn't much of a concern for me. It could happen, but most likely not.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Spimon]

I'm not sure if this has been covered, as I haven't read every page...

It's not just a case of wanting to share air or not and saying they should have done this/that/whateer. If your buddy (or anyone else you're possibly able to help) runs out of air and you do not 'do everything within your power' and they die, you're basically up for manslaughter (it's obviously not within your power to share air if you have none either, or a shark is biting your face off or anything else is endangering yourself).

They're more or less your responsibility until someone more qualified (in whatever way that may be) takes over.

This doesn't just apply to diving.
Eg, If your mate gets blind drunk, you put him to bed and go back to the party, he chokes on his own vomit and dies, you could be held responsible unless you stay with him and do everything you can to make sure he's ok either until help arrives or he recovers.

That example may be a little more 'grey' but I'm sure you'd very quicly be in VERY big trouble if you just decided not to share air because you buddy should have been more prepared.

(This is the case as I understand it in Australia. I have no idea what laws apply where around the world).

 

[micklock]

If someone made it a point that they would not share air I would not dive with them, but I also would not enter the water without at least two totally redundant air supplies (a pony bottle and/or doubles).

 

[SteveAD]

If your buddy (or anyone else you're possibly able to help) runs out of air and you do not 'do everything within your power' and they die, you're basically up for manslaughter

Granted different countries have different laws, but I have trouble with the concept of a person being charged with manslaughter thru inaction.

As I understand the law (former criminal justice major) manslaughter is the appropriate charge when a persons actions cause the death of another, but there is no premeditation or malice.

Inaction when a person could have been saved is certainly morally reprehensible, but if someone is holding a gun to his own head and you fail to take action to prevent his suicide are you guilty of manslaughter?

Your argument would imply you are.

 

[Lock Down]

No chance in h*ll. And by the way I would probably tell that guy to go there too.

 

[Thalassamania]

This is what I meant: if asked politely, but there is no apparent need for sharing, I would politely refuse. Otherwise I wouldn't refuse unless my own air was short (and I should have been n my way back quite earlier).

I've seen some divers buddy breathing so they can maximize their dive time. Uhhhhh... not for me.

My two regular dive buddies are double tankers. Air sharing isn't much of a concern for me. It could happen, but most likely not.

Thanks for your input.

If I ask politely I mean it and I expect my buddy to "pony up." Right now! No second guessing.

 

[rigdiver]

If I ever ask there will be no choice on ponying up!!!