12 replies to this topic

[DandyDon]

We were diving to the stalactites & columns in Belize’s Blue Hole, from an Aqua Dives boat (whom I’ll never go out with again!), with one Dive Guide leading, one DG bringing up rear point, and the new-kid employee staying on the boat. One of the divers got more than halfway down when her air suddenly stopped (that has got be a lousy feeling at 80 feet!!), and I understand that she didn’t think of grabbing her buddy’s alternate second stage, but instead abandoned him, instinctively swimming up – probably holding her breath…!

Fortunately, she did keep her reg in her mouth, and found air as she came up, then swam over to the rear point DG, pointing at her first stage. He turned it on, and she turned to see her buddy who’d been following, so they continued the dive. Thank Gawd this did not happen at 140 feet under narcosis.

Her buddy swears he checked the tank, and I know that this guy knows lefty-loosy well, but someone apparently had turned the tank all the way off, then half a turn open. We suspect the new-kid employee.

[maninthesea]

Thats why no one but me assembles my gear or changes tanks between dives. Sometimes the well intenting staff are a little put off becuase they have been taught that changing tanks is part of good customer service. I just thank them and explain I am just funny that way.
You friend possibly could have avoided the problem by taking a couple quick breaths at the surface while watching her guage. If the tank is only slightly turned on the needle may(or may not) drop during the breath. If it does it is a sign of a slightly turned on tank or a clogged filter in the first stage. It alos tests the operation of the reg at the same time which is allways good.
Cheers Jim

[JulioJoglar]

Ditto Jim!!

[drbill]

I had a similar thing happen in Tahiti. I was diving with a French group and set up my gear for the second dive. I left my air on because the boat was very stable. Put my gear on and didn't bother to check. Hit the water and realized soon (nowhere near 80 ft) that one of the crew had turned my tank valve off and I was getting nothing.

To top it off, the French dive instructor tried to grab me and pull me back down. I kicked her to escape and when she surface she started scolding me for ascending while holding my breath. I tried to explain to her that because my last breath had been air at the surface, I was fine. She didn't buy it... perhaps it was the language barrier.

Doc

[Bubble2Bubble]

Don you where with me on a dive trip when I had an equipment failure one time Remember, all I can say to our members is that you need to follow your training and stay calm. the buddy system works if you use it! and that was at 90 ft down. I was praised by the DM's for not bolting to the surface. if I would have done that i dont think I would be writing this post right now. still to this day no reason has been found what really did happen to my equipment but thats water under the bridge now

B2B

[webhead]

Glad to hear things worked out. Important to share stories like this so others can learn to prevent or deal with similar issues. I'm curious that someone going to 140 feet... would think they would have some more advanced training. Panic can and will kill the unprepared. And you don't really know how unprepared you are until the first time your survival skills are tested.

Just like flying when the instructor says engine failure and you're looking frantically for a place to land. Don't wait for it to happen, know in your head where you are going to get that next breath of air in case it's not the same place as the last one. :dltears:

Tim

[idive2]

Her buddy swears he checked the tank, and I know that this guy knows lefty-loosy well, but someone apparently had turned the tank all the way off, then half a turn open. We suspect the new-kid employee.

Don, I rely only on myself with regards to air being turned on. I learned to
trust no one when one day while on the platform I asked the first mate
if my air was on as a last minute thought. I was assisting a new diver that was
assigned as my buddy during my set-up so i was thrown off a little bit with my
own set up. Well this guy grabs my valve and tells me its on, I decided to
take a couple quick drags and I watched my spg drop to zero, I was pissed
to say the least, it was my job to turn air on but dont tell me it's on if your
not sure. The last thing i do before slipping into bc is check the valve that way
there's no question anyone closed it. I've also begun to mount my bc a tad
lower as to be able to reach my valve if my system fails but once you develop a system it becomes second nature, it's just that no one thinks a system is necessary till they screw up first.

Kevin

[DandyDon]

Her buddy swears he checked the tank, and I know that this guy knows lefty-loosy well, but someone apparently had turned the tank all the way off, then half a turn open.  We suspect the new-kid employee.

Don, I rely only on myself with regards to air being turned on. I learned to
trust no one when one day while on the platform I asked the first mate
if my air was on as a last minute thought. I was assisting a new diver that was
assigned as my buddy during my set-up so i was thrown off a little bit with my
own set up. Well this guy grabs my valve and tells me its on, I decided to
take a couple quick drags and I watched my spg drop to zero, I was pissed
to say the least, it was my job to turn air on but dont tell me it's on if your
not sure. The last thing i do before slipping into bc is check the valve that way
there's no question anyone closed it. I've also begun to mount my bc a tad
lower as to be able to reach my valve if my system fails but once you develop a system it becomes second nature, it's just that no one thinks a system is necessary till they screw up first.

Kevin

Yeah, I wear mine so I can reach my main tank valve, and I'm getting a long hose for my Pony so I can hang it upside down, valve in reach...

I've only been diving a little over 3 years, barely over 200 dives, and I am amazed at ths serious problems I've seen - and survived. But it's a serious sport.

[stanner82]

Yeah, I wear mine so I can reach my main tank valve, and I'm getting a long hose for my Pony so I can hang it upside down, valve in reach...

I've only been diving a little over 3 years, barely over 200 dives, and I am amazed at ths serious problems I've seen - and survived. But it's a serious sport.

Don, I'm beginning you're a jinxed diver...you've seen far more problems than I've heard about from all of my buddy's at the LDS. Not sure I wanna be on a dive excursion with you! JK

The good thing about these anecdotes is they are good lessons and reminders to divers (new and not-so-new)!

Thanks for sharing!

[RICHinNC]

Dont want to start anything here...but last resort...the bc has air and I would rather take the risk of a possible lung infection than drown.

Go ahead flame me...especially the dude that wouldnt wear a pony in shallow for consistency. Duh
rich

[DandyDon]

Dont want to start anything here...but last resort...the bc has air and I would rather take the risk of a possible lung infection than drown.

Go ahead flame me...especially the dude that wouldnt wear a pony in shallow for consistency. Duh
rich

Yes, well - my BC is generally emtpy if I'm on the way down, which is when this sort of problem would happen.

As "...last resort..." I'm dumping weights. Better DCS than Drowned!

[drbill]

As I returned to this thread, my mind started hearing a woman singing "take my breath away." I think I'm beginning to join TF in the funny farm.

Doc

[triggerfish]

i THOUGHT that was you waiting in line for the ECT's......