Carribian Dive almost a disaster!

[condor13090]

I was certified with SSI last spring so I'm no expert thats for sure but that doesn't mean I take chances. I don't have a dive computer so I use guages. I did buy all new equipment and it was a hassel bringing it all the way down there just for 2 dives, as I've heard you can never trust their equipment...even though this place had top of the line stuff.
They did laugh a bit because I had a 1/2 mil and a 5 mil suit while they dove with half suits...in 76 degree water. Trust me they were shivering while I never felt the water!

 

[cmhollis]

Condor,

Back in November 04 we did a Sailboat charter out of Tortola. I did a two-dive day on the Rhone with Sail Carribean Divers (SCD). Morning was the deeper dive on the bow (85 - 90'), then the boat headed back to the dock to pick up the resort course folks, and we went back and dove the stern (35' or so - don't have my log handy) after a SIT of 2 hours or so.

Anyhow, I found SCD to be a first-class outfit, and the DM's first priority was diver safety. On the boat ride to the dive site, the DM briefed everyone on the dive plan, psi's to make notification, actions to take when these pressures are met, etc. I had no qualms diving with them, and wouldn't hesitate to do so again in the future. I hope that SCD wasn't the company you dove with.

Anyhow, I am glad to hear that you weren't injured, and sorry that such an awesome dive was ruined by an uncaring (incompetent?) DM.

Mike

 

[KaBoOm]

Just a quick note because this thread is getting old now, but everyone should realize that the Divemaster on a Divemaster led dive is only responsible for giving you the guidelines for the dive.

It's nice to know that the people you are leading are all OK on Air, but it's not practical fo a DM to keep track of everyone. You are certified divers and ultimately responsible for your own safety.

When you got to the point that your air supply was making you uncomfortable, that should have been the point where you got the DM's attention and returned to the line. Even if you have to go up the line Solo, that's better than running out of air at depth. You were already Solo diving at this point anyway.

Bottom line here, dive more. Plan YOUR dive and Dive YOUR plan. Taking an advanced course with a Deep Water component would also be a great idea!

I hope this doesn't put you off diving.

 

[kysmith]

I would have brought a buddy up to the 15 ft. line and breathed on their spare regulator for a few minutes before going to the surface. Going 85 ft is no joke and you don't want to end up with the bends. Next time get a buddy.

 

[gussy]

700psi at the ropes in 85ft is fine. I was wondering what were you doing to go down from 1200psi to 700psi in 100 years...going to fast?

The procedure for a deep ascent is to go to the ropes and start going up from there. So at 1200psi I would go to the ropes too. Also a lot of crews will also tie another tank close to the ropes in case you need air.

 

[2turtles]

I have dove on the Rhone. Really, not much to see, pretty much all gone. I would never dive with you, (just by your story). Until you get more experience, you should not go below 30 feet. A dive master just leads the dive, YOU are to manage you own dive based on YOUR conditions. When diving depend on yourself, your experience and your buddy. Stop blaming others for your lack of experience.