stefo2:
Don't most computers have a sim mode, where you can "go into deco" on dry land just to familiarise yorself with what your computer is trying to tell you should you accidentally go into deco on a dive?? Mine has, and I have tried it several times, so I'm quite confident that unless I was narced off my face if it happened, I'd know how to read it.
If I wanted to do intentional deco diving I'd make sure to get the training beforehand.
But I'd really like to know how you can possibly "accidentally" find yourself on a dive with an 18-minute deco obligation AND with your DM apparently not having any or far less??
Well it was typical Cozumel two tank diving: the first dive on a wall to around 100' for about 30 minutes, a short SI and then a fairly shallow second dive for 30-40 minutes.
The only thing that changed was the DM wanted to do Chankanab which is pretty shallow but the rest of the group wanted to do that wreck the U-???. I thought the DM was a little uncomfortable about the second dive but once in the water that wasn't the case.
That wreck is pretty deep, about 80' at the bottom. I thought we would hang out on the deck which is about 60' or so but he led everyone down near the bottom where we spent some time. About 20 minutes or so into the dive still at about 80' I realized the Vyper was almost out of NDL time. I figured the DM would plan for this and we would begin our ascent.
Much to my surprise he started to penetrate the wreck for another 5 minutes or more. I'm watching the DECO minutes start to build with the rest of the group and the DM seemingly oblivious.
Well finally we separate from the wreck and start drifting with the current, but everyone still stays near the bottom. I slowly begin ascending as the group gets smaller and smaller until I'm at 10' where the Vyper wants me and begin my 18 minute stop.
The amazing thing is a group finally does ascend but blows past me without even a SS. The DM and the rest of the group join me for their SS and a few minutes later he gives the thumbs-up. I shake my head and show him the Vyper which still has double digit DECO left. He tries to grab the others in the group but they're already at the surface.
The two of us hang out together until the Vyper clears and surface. The DM didn't want to talk about it back on the boat and the rest of the group had no clue what was going on. I did look at one guys Cobra and it was in Err mode.
I think DMs, especially in the Caribbean do the same dives every day and don't really worry about seemingly small changes in dive plans. And who knows, maybe the Vyper was way too conservative.
