5 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

When we are newer divers we NEVER think we will or could become complacent. At least not about the important stuff. It just can't happen we tell ourselves and usually we are right.

 

But the truth is it does happen. And I've seen it...EVEN in very experienced divers and dive pros. Truthfully I think it is most common in these more experienced groups but it can happen to ANYONE who gets too comfortable.

 

• Have you seen a diver be complacent?
• Have you seen any negative consequences of them being complacent?

 

Please share with us so we all can learn.

 

[WreckWench]

Ok I'll start...hoping others will join in.

 

I was on an NC trip years ago and saw a diver crawling along the wreck's edge literally holding onto the wreck. It was strange to see this but sometimes people get narc'd so other than looking strange I was not too worried. I did signal to see if they were ok and they replied they were ok. It was then I noticed it was an instructor who was with a group doing their first NC dives. I monitored for awhile longer trying to discern why they were pulling themselves along the wreck despite there being no tangible current. Any guesses as to why?   Figuring out why a diver is doing something strange can help you avoid the same issues but perhaps lend assistance if needed.

 

So why might this diver be pulling themselves along the bottom of the wreck?

[tickledone]

Ok I'll start...hoping others will join in.

 

I was on an NC trip years ago and saw a diver crawling along the wreck's edge literally holding onto the wreck. It was strange to see this but sometimes people get narc'd so other than looking strange I was not too worried. I did signal to see if they were ok and they replied they were ok. It was then I noticed it was an instructor who was with a group doing their first NC dives. I monitored for awhile longer trying to discern why they were pulling themselves along the wreck despite there being no tangible current. Any guesses as to why?   Figuring out why a diver is doing something strange can help you avoid the same issues but perhaps lend assistance if needed.

 

So why might this diver be pulling themselves along the bottom of the wreck?

 

I hope you're going to tell us the punchline, but I'd like to think they had terrible buoyancy and felt the need to hold on to the wreck like a safety blanket so as not to ascend or descend. But, without having seen the scene, that's just a very random guess.

[tickledone]

When we are newer divers we NEVER think we will or could become complacent. At least not about the important stuff. It just can't happen we tell ourselves and usually we are right.

 

But the truth is it does happen. And I've seen it...EVEN in very experienced divers and dive pros. Truthfully I think it is most common in these more experienced groups but it can happen to ANYONE who gets too comfortable.

 

• Have you seen a diver be complacent?
• Have you seen any negative consequences of them being complacent?

 

Please share with us so we all can learn.

 

I can't think of any specific instance, but I do have a few general observations. I don't think I've really ever seen a gross act of complacency, but I have some moments were I realized where I might could have done something better. 

 

Setting up gear. My impression on recent trips many vacation divers can set up their equipment with the process taught (e.g. inspecting tank, inspecting O-ring, positioning BCD, attaching first stage, testing BCD inflation/deflation, and testing regs, etc). Some resorts do request that divers set up equipment for their first dive (including rentals), with resort staff taking care of the gear for the remainder.  I don't understand why if you're only going to do it once only to forget until the next trip where you might be asked to set up your gear again. Personally, I have moved to setting up my equipment and swapping tanks between dives because, well, I feel like I need to be more responsible for my dive, and for me, that includes my gear. TBH, however, I hadn't been a stickler for the process, so I'm still working on improving. 

 

Same with dive buddy check. How it's taught is one thing, but it is rare that I see ever see it done on the boat. Really, it seems like the dive briefing is done, everyone rushes to get their stuff on, and then they're in the water. It would have been nice to go through the buddy check for those times that I ended up in the water without weights rather than trying to figure out why I was so positively buoyant or when my air wasn't on before entering the water. 

 

Planning your dive. I'm guilty of this one - I've always listened to the dive briefing, but I have been bad at planning my own dive. Ultimately, we are responsible for our own dives - not the DM. When I finally get back to the water, I am going to spend a moment or two taking the time to plan my dive AND dive my plan. This is to make sure I mitigate risk of DCS to the extent that I can for myself.

[WreckWench]

 

Ok I'll start...hoping others will join in.

 

I was on an NC trip years ago and saw a diver crawling along the wreck's edge literally holding onto the wreck. It was strange to see this but sometimes people get narc'd so other than looking strange I was not too worried. I did signal to see if they were ok and they replied they were ok. It was then I noticed it was an instructor who was with a group doing their first NC dives. I monitored for awhile longer trying to discern why they were pulling themselves along the wreck despite there being no tangible current. Any guesses as to why?   Figuring out why a diver is doing something strange can help you avoid the same issues but perhaps lend assistance if needed.

 

So why might this diver be pulling themselves along the bottom of the wreck?

 

I hope you're going to tell us the punchline, but I'd like to think they had terrible buoyancy and felt the need to hold on to the wreck like a safety blanket so as not to ascend or descend. But, without having seen the scene, that's just a very random guess.

 

GOOD GUESS... and yes I will tell the punch line as you call it!

 

Any other guesses? Its kinda wild!

[Ducky]

Were they all wearing fins? ... I need to know!