Perforated eardrum
- Thread starter tgreene
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SeaJayInSC
New member
No ****.
How did you figure out that you perforated an eardrum?
How did it happen if you were equalizing? "No pain?" Are you kidding?
How did you figure out that you perforated an eardrum?
How did it happen if you were equalizing? "No pain?" Are you kidding?
tgreene
Reefer
2 weeks ago while on a long bike trip to New Orleans and back(1200 miles in 3 days), my right ear all of a sudden went completely deaf for 2 days, and I didn't think anything of it except that it was really $#@!$ing odd...
Then last Saturday I made 8 dives on 5 tanks, had ZERO pain, but when I pinched my nose to clear the "bubbles" from my ears after the day was over, my wife could hear whistling coming from my head whenever I did that. Sunday I was deaf in the right ear, and then Monday morning I asked my doctor friend (Chiropractor, so no DEA#) to check my ears and he saw a tiny tear at the top edge of my right ear, with a little bit of blood around it.
I then asked another doctor friend of mine (also a diver who has blown his twice) if he would call in antibiotics as a preventative measure, and he did so immediately.
I'm not the slightest bit worried, as I've blown them several times over the years doing very inane things that shouldn't have ever been an issue, so my only thinking is that my membranes are possibly extra thin and delicate to begin with.
FWIW: I began getting a bit of sinus pain and swelling yesterday that was focused behind my right eye, but it has dissipated... I do have a bit of pressure that has since formed, but it too is dissipating with the antibiotics.
I don't want no freakin algae growing inside my head dammmit!
-Tim
Then last Saturday I made 8 dives on 5 tanks, had ZERO pain, but when I pinched my nose to clear the "bubbles" from my ears after the day was over, my wife could hear whistling coming from my head whenever I did that. Sunday I was deaf in the right ear, and then Monday morning I asked my doctor friend (Chiropractor, so no DEA#) to check my ears and he saw a tiny tear at the top edge of my right ear, with a little bit of blood around it.
I then asked another doctor friend of mine (also a diver who has blown his twice) if he would call in antibiotics as a preventative measure, and he did so immediately.
I'm not the slightest bit worried, as I've blown them several times over the years doing very inane things that shouldn't have ever been an issue, so my only thinking is that my membranes are possibly extra thin and delicate to begin with.
FWIW: I began getting a bit of sinus pain and swelling yesterday that was focused behind my right eye, but it has dissipated... I do have a bit of pressure that has since formed, but it too is dissipating with the antibiotics.
I don't want no freakin algae growing inside my head dammmit!
-Tim
SeaJayInSC
New member
Now, I thought that a perforated eardrum was pretty serious... Like, no more diving...
...But you make it sound like a walk in the park!
...But you make it sound like a walk in the park!
tgreene
Reefer
I certainly wouldn't call it a "walk in the park", because it can be very serious depending upon the manner in which it's torn, the size, INFECTION, etc.
The way mine is torn, is in the best possible situation for quik healing... My concern however is WHEN did it tear..? I randomly lost a bit of hearing on my 2nd dive, then made 6 more, which could very well pose potential serious issues, which is why I opted for strong antibiotics.
It's not really too uncommon for me to endure random periods of moderate hearing loss and severe Tinitis (metallic ringing in ears) due to my Strokes and Seizures, so had I not been diving this wouldn't have giving me any reason to even question it and have my ears checked.
FWIW: My 2nd dive of the day was a solo to just over 60', and while swimming and doing "barrel rolls", I experienced a total regulator flood when the ports were perfectly aligned vertically (air rushed up and water flooded). At that very moment when I took a nice slow deep breath of WATER, I was consiously able to control my body and drink the water rather than injest it into my lungs while all alone at 45 to 50 feet below the surface. I did obviously get a splash in my lungs, and as soon as I was able to fully clear my regulator I found the nearest rock and sat down for 2-3 minutes to chill out and relax... I CAN'T BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW ALONE I FELT AT THAT MOMENT THOUGH, wondering if this is what it would be like to drown on a solo dive.
As with everything, cooler heads prevail, and thus I instinctively did something that simply cannot be taught... It seems that at the moment my mouth detected the water, my brain automatically switched gears, locked off my trachea, and opened my esophagus. I can only assume that years of whitewater paddling and guiding allowed this to happen this way, because I spent a lot of time under water from flips and even a couple of pins over the years!
-Tim
The way mine is torn, is in the best possible situation for quik healing... My concern however is WHEN did it tear..? I randomly lost a bit of hearing on my 2nd dive, then made 6 more, which could very well pose potential serious issues, which is why I opted for strong antibiotics.
It's not really too uncommon for me to endure random periods of moderate hearing loss and severe Tinitis (metallic ringing in ears) due to my Strokes and Seizures, so had I not been diving this wouldn't have giving me any reason to even question it and have my ears checked.
FWIW: My 2nd dive of the day was a solo to just over 60', and while swimming and doing "barrel rolls", I experienced a total regulator flood when the ports were perfectly aligned vertically (air rushed up and water flooded). At that very moment when I took a nice slow deep breath of WATER, I was consiously able to control my body and drink the water rather than injest it into my lungs while all alone at 45 to 50 feet below the surface. I did obviously get a splash in my lungs, and as soon as I was able to fully clear my regulator I found the nearest rock and sat down for 2-3 minutes to chill out and relax... I CAN'T BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW ALONE I FELT AT THAT MOMENT THOUGH, wondering if this is what it would be like to drown on a solo dive.
As with everything, cooler heads prevail, and thus I instinctively did something that simply cannot be taught... It seems that at the moment my mouth detected the water, my brain automatically switched gears, locked off my trachea, and opened my esophagus. I can only assume that years of whitewater paddling and guiding allowed this to happen this way, because I spent a lot of time under water from flips and even a couple of pins over the years!
-Tim
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SeaJayInSC
New member
I'm confused.
Issue #1: Perforated eardrum. This is really, really bad, Tim. Are you not equalizing properly? Okay, so there's no pain... Perhaps what's tearing is scar tissue from previous tears. To the best of my knowledge, a perforated eardrum often means no more diving. Not that I'd recommend that, of course... But if you want to continue to dive, obviously a lot of care has to be given to equalize completely and constantly. What's the doctors say about this?
Issue #2: Total regulator flood - I don't know how your regs work, but I could align all kinds of things on my regs in any direction, and I still wouldn't flood a regulator. What's going on there that floods your reg?
Issue #3: If you inhale and get water, don't you stop inhaling? If a diver were to attempt to breathe a flooded reg (say, during an OOA drill, for example), I would think that he would immediately stop and either blow out to clear the reg or purge it using the button.
Issue #4, 5, and 6: Where the heck is your buddy? Where the heck is your buddy? Where the heck is your buddy? I'm not going to tell you not to solo dive (if I had to wait for a buddy every time I dove, I'd never get any diving in), but I certainly wouldn't recommend doing any kind of diving that involved 60' of depth... Or non-working dives... Or dives involving flooded regs... Or dives involving an inability to equalize... Without a buddy. Dude, I love ya and all, but this is a new thing for you. Solo diving... That should be reserved for a 3' dive in an aquarium or under a boat, you know? Even then, after about four or five years of diving with gear that you know is going to work.
I hope you never find out what it's like to drown on a solo dive.
I like ya too much, my friend.
Obviously, whatever went on... It was really bad. You considered drowning, you experienced a reg flood, and you ended up with a perforated eardrum. What can you change in the future so that none of this happens to you again?
Issue #1: Perforated eardrum. This is really, really bad, Tim. Are you not equalizing properly? Okay, so there's no pain... Perhaps what's tearing is scar tissue from previous tears. To the best of my knowledge, a perforated eardrum often means no more diving. Not that I'd recommend that, of course... But if you want to continue to dive, obviously a lot of care has to be given to equalize completely and constantly. What's the doctors say about this?
Issue #2: Total regulator flood - I don't know how your regs work, but I could align all kinds of things on my regs in any direction, and I still wouldn't flood a regulator. What's going on there that floods your reg?
Issue #3: If you inhale and get water, don't you stop inhaling? If a diver were to attempt to breathe a flooded reg (say, during an OOA drill, for example), I would think that he would immediately stop and either blow out to clear the reg or purge it using the button.
Issue #4, 5, and 6: Where the heck is your buddy? Where the heck is your buddy? Where the heck is your buddy? I'm not going to tell you not to solo dive (if I had to wait for a buddy every time I dove, I'd never get any diving in), but I certainly wouldn't recommend doing any kind of diving that involved 60' of depth... Or non-working dives... Or dives involving flooded regs... Or dives involving an inability to equalize... Without a buddy. Dude, I love ya and all, but this is a new thing for you. Solo diving... That should be reserved for a 3' dive in an aquarium or under a boat, you know? Even then, after about four or five years of diving with gear that you know is going to work.
I hope you never find out what it's like to drown on a solo dive.
I like ya too much, my friend.Obviously, whatever went on... It was really bad. You considered drowning, you experienced a reg flood, and you ended up with a perforated eardrum. What can you change in the future so that none of this happens to you again?
tgreene
Reefer
#1 -- Again, no problem equalizing and zero pain at any time. Zip, zilch, nada, none! It's possible that it was a prior tear that I wasn't aware of, but I wouldn't have any idea how it had happened either.
#2 -- My reg didn't flood as if it was pulled out and then filled with water, because it never left my mouth... I was at a very odd angle and the air purged out and was replaced by water at the very moment I was inhaling.
#3 -- Obviously I did stop, but not in time to be able to spit the water back out! I have a high-flow mouthpiece that holds my jaw open a bit wider than a small front bite setup.
#4, 5 & 6 -- Yes Mom!
The eardrum thing is a fluke, and I have no clue as to what to do other than to slow my descents. Stil though, THERE WAS ZRO PAIN OR DISCOMFORT, so I had every reason to believe that I was properly equalized.
I didn't consider drowning, because it wasn't an option! I had a reg flood, handled it, then chilled out to collect myself for a moment, then began a slow ascent to the surface with a 5 minute safety stop because that's what my computer wanted , and then let the boat and DM know precisely where I was before I resumed my dive... I had "permission" to make the solo dive, and to be honest I preferred solo to buddies.
-Tim
#2 -- My reg didn't flood as if it was pulled out and then filled with water, because it never left my mouth... I was at a very odd angle and the air purged out and was replaced by water at the very moment I was inhaling.
#3 -- Obviously I did stop, but not in time to be able to spit the water back out! I have a high-flow mouthpiece that holds my jaw open a bit wider than a small front bite setup.
#4, 5 & 6 -- Yes Mom!
The eardrum thing is a fluke, and I have no clue as to what to do other than to slow my descents. Stil though, THERE WAS ZRO PAIN OR DISCOMFORT, so I had every reason to believe that I was properly equalized.
I didn't consider drowning, because it wasn't an option! I had a reg flood, handled it, then chilled out to collect myself for a moment, then began a slow ascent to the surface with a 5 minute safety stop because that's what my computer wanted , and then let the boat and DM know precisely where I was before I resumed my dive... I had "permission" to make the solo dive, and to be honest I preferred solo to buddies.
-Tim
SeaJayInSC
New member
*shudder*
*shudder*
Ah, it's a good thing you had permission. I don't know what you would have done without permission.
*shudder*
Okay, Tim... You're out for 4-8 weeks, right? Damn, good thing you had permission. I mean, if you hadn't, you'd be out of diving for what... 8-12 weeks?
Sorry, I don't mean to sound like a smartass, but man... Read what you just wrote.
Okay, if you're out for a couple of weeks, then that'll give you time to plan to come diving here in Beaufort. C'mon over here - let's get some diving in.
...Before you kill someone. Like yourself.
You know, I know this sounds like a novel idea, but when diving involves massive amounts of antibiotics, trips to the doctor's office, bleeding body parts, and thoughtful, deep insight as to what it would be like to drown, it may be time to change something in your diving.
I love ya, man... I don't know how to say this, but you're scaring me. What ever happened to you and I getting together to do some diving?
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tgreene
Reefer
Ughhhh...!
What I was referring to in regards to "permission" for the solo was because it was a boat dive on a lake. The DM knew exactly where I was heading, because he gave me the bearing and told me what to look for since we were trying to find a sunken truck and were a bit spread out in a large cove. While everyone else in the water at the time was paired up, I chose not to be and sought "permission" for a solo.
Yes, I yielded to the computer (which I know you hate), even when I knew I only needed a 3 minute stop, because I wasn't wanting it to penalize me on future dives for the day, which we all know that it will do.
I climb solo, paddle solo, ski solo, hike solo, and do just about everything else solo because I love the freedom and solitude that it offers. With anywhere from 45-60' VIS, I felt perfectly comfortable soloing at this particular site, but when the VIS was marginal later in the day at other sites, I wouldn't have considered it.
As for the bloody severed body parts, trips to the docs, and drugs... Either you're reading too much into this or I'm not detailing it enough. As I said before, I can't be certain this wasn't from a prior injury of some sort. I simply don't know. As for the "trips to the docs"; I was working on the computer networks in my Chiros office all day anyway, so I was there, and the other doc is also a client of mine and is the guy with the 1000g reef tank in his office -- Both of these guys are my regular drinking buddies!
I totally want to get over there to dive with you ASAP, but now I have to heal up first.
You and I have spent a lot of time chatting on the phone, and you know that while I'm not going to take unnecessary risks that I would consider stupid, I am going to step outside of the norm because that's actually where MY comfort zone lies. I am fully aware of the added risks of soloing, especially as a neophyte, but these are risks that I am willing to accept. The same holds true in most of the elements in which I solo.
In regards to equalization; I grew up cliff diving anywhere from 25 to 150+ feet, and when you penetrate the surface of the water and dart down 20 -30 feet or more in an instant, you don't have the luxery of equalizing anything, so I've blown my ears many times over the years... I've also partially deflated lungs, torn my heart away from my chest cavity, shattered my back, driven my heel into my ankle, and so on and so forth.
I have a disease that has taken over my body and mind, and there are days that not only can I not get out of bed, but days that I can barely remember who I am. Because of this I've had to give up climbing due to strength issues and the potential of not being able to catch a partners fall. This is where the diving comes into play, and especially soloing, because I am once again free to be me.
While nobody will ever want to hear what I'm going to say, I'm going to say it anyway because it's my reality based upon who I am... I would much rather die enjoying life, than die while laying in bed dosed up on whatever tranqs some specialists insists that I need to be taking in order to "cope" with my disease and all the pleasant little things that it brings with it (loss of memory, inability to walk, vertigo, excruiating pain, strokes, etc.). While I'm not going to take any undue risks, I'm not going to just "play it safe" either.
Honestly I could go on and on, as could you, but I would really rather do it over a twisted pair if you want to continue this conversation.
One last thought -- I'm not a bit bothered by any of this, aside from the forced down time to let my ear heal, because I felt completely alive and free (it's been a very long time brutha!), and had such an awesome day.
-Tim
What I was referring to in regards to "permission" for the solo was because it was a boat dive on a lake. The DM knew exactly where I was heading, because he gave me the bearing and told me what to look for since we were trying to find a sunken truck and were a bit spread out in a large cove. While everyone else in the water at the time was paired up, I chose not to be and sought "permission" for a solo.
Yes, I yielded to the computer (which I know you hate), even when I knew I only needed a 3 minute stop, because I wasn't wanting it to penalize me on future dives for the day, which we all know that it will do.
I climb solo, paddle solo, ski solo, hike solo, and do just about everything else solo because I love the freedom and solitude that it offers. With anywhere from 45-60' VIS, I felt perfectly comfortable soloing at this particular site, but when the VIS was marginal later in the day at other sites, I wouldn't have considered it.
As for the bloody severed body parts, trips to the docs, and drugs... Either you're reading too much into this or I'm not detailing it enough. As I said before, I can't be certain this wasn't from a prior injury of some sort. I simply don't know. As for the "trips to the docs"; I was working on the computer networks in my Chiros office all day anyway, so I was there, and the other doc is also a client of mine and is the guy with the 1000g reef tank in his office -- Both of these guys are my regular drinking buddies!
I totally want to get over there to dive with you ASAP, but now I have to heal up first.
You and I have spent a lot of time chatting on the phone, and you know that while I'm not going to take unnecessary risks that I would consider stupid, I am going to step outside of the norm because that's actually where MY comfort zone lies. I am fully aware of the added risks of soloing, especially as a neophyte, but these are risks that I am willing to accept. The same holds true in most of the elements in which I solo.
In regards to equalization; I grew up cliff diving anywhere from 25 to 150+ feet, and when you penetrate the surface of the water and dart down 20 -30 feet or more in an instant, you don't have the luxery of equalizing anything, so I've blown my ears many times over the years... I've also partially deflated lungs, torn my heart away from my chest cavity, shattered my back, driven my heel into my ankle, and so on and so forth.
I have a disease that has taken over my body and mind, and there are days that not only can I not get out of bed, but days that I can barely remember who I am. Because of this I've had to give up climbing due to strength issues and the potential of not being able to catch a partners fall. This is where the diving comes into play, and especially soloing, because I am once again free to be me.
While nobody will ever want to hear what I'm going to say, I'm going to say it anyway because it's my reality based upon who I am... I would much rather die enjoying life, than die while laying in bed dosed up on whatever tranqs some specialists insists that I need to be taking in order to "cope" with my disease and all the pleasant little things that it brings with it (loss of memory, inability to walk, vertigo, excruiating pain, strokes, etc.). While I'm not going to take any undue risks, I'm not going to just "play it safe" either.
Honestly I could go on and on, as could you, but I would really rather do it over a twisted pair if you want to continue this conversation.
One last thought -- I'm not a bit bothered by any of this, aside from the forced down time to let my ear heal, because I felt completely alive and free (it's been a very long time brutha!), and had such an awesome day.
-Tim
jayfromfla
New member
Tim,
Glad you are on the mend. I had a paralymphatic fistula about 8 years ago. That is a real bad deal.
For those not familiar, during equalization, if you over pressure your middle ear enough you can:
1. Rupture your ear drum.
2. Rupture the oval and or round window to your inner ear - leaking paralymphatic fluid into your middle ear.
Symptoms of a paralymphatic fistula are loss of hearing and/or vertigo.
Treatment can range from bed rest on steroids to surgical intervention. I had the surgery. Out of work for 18 months. Permanent hearing loss in some frequencies.
I did it while snorkeling - 12 feet of water while moving my anchor .
Be careful out there!
Glad you are on the mend. I had a paralymphatic fistula about 8 years ago. That is a real bad deal.
For those not familiar, during equalization, if you over pressure your middle ear enough you can:
1. Rupture your ear drum.
2. Rupture the oval and or round window to your inner ear - leaking paralymphatic fluid into your middle ear.
Symptoms of a paralymphatic fistula are loss of hearing and/or vertigo.
Treatment can range from bed rest on steroids to surgical intervention. I had the surgery. Out of work for 18 months. Permanent hearing loss in some frequencies.
I did it while snorkeling - 12 feet of water while moving my anchor .
Be careful out there!
SeaJayInSC
New member
So?
...And shame on the DM who thought this a good idea. Especially for a guy who's had - what - like 5 open water dives in his entire lifetime?
No offiense, Tim, but I hope you didn't pay for that kind of advice.
As we talked about before, I don't hate dive computers. The reason I recommended against you having one is evident above: You said that you did a 5-minute safety stop because that's what your computer wanted.
That's exactly why I recommended against one for you.
Let me ask you this: If you hadn't been using a dive computer, would you have done a 5-minute stop? Why or why not?
Take the computer out of the equation, Tim... It has nothing to do with your needs as a diver or your awareness of your NDLs. If you continue to use one, then you will never understand your limits... You'll always rely on the crutch of a dive computer.
Stop. That's my point exactly. You were diving your computer instead of diving your plan.
My guess is that you didn't even have a plan - you simply dove what your computer told you to dive.
...Which is exactly what I recommended against.
Look, Tim... I'm out. Don't ask me for any more advice. Not once have you taken it. You asked me about gear, and did the opposite. You asked me about BCs and did the opposite. You asked me about computers, and did the opposite, and now, you're a gnat's *** away from killing yourself - I don't want any part of it.
Do what you want, my friend... I'm done.
...The funny part is that you don't even realize that barotrauma, serious gear issues, and the complete realization that you're about to drown aren't normal. It's like it hasn't even phased you that you were bleeding from your head - you simply shrugged it off.
I have no idea why you believe that "vis" is somehow going to save your ***. Who taught you that?
Did "vis" make your ears bleed? Do you have to take antibiotics because of poor "vis?"
Dude, this isn't even remotely logical.
It's called "barotrauma." You suffered "barotrauma" due to inadequate dive skills. There is no "reading into it." You suffering barotrauma is not an opinion - it's a fact.
I can. Were you bleeding from the ears prior to diving that day?
I was working on the computer networks in my Chiros office all day anyway, so I was there, and the other doc is also a client of mine and is the guy with the 1000g reef tank in his office -- Both of these guys are my regular drinking buddies!
OOOOOOOhhhhh, why didn't you say so?? Hell, since you're consuming alcohol with the doctor, then apparently "barotrauma" doesn't apply to you. I get it. What's your computer say about THAT?
I'd tell you to ask your DM, but he's probably off doing a solo dive at 60 feet with like 5 dives to his name.
C'mon, man... Do you not realize that this whole thing is totally out of control?
I want nothing to do with it.
Negative. Not on my boats. Sorry.
Pass a GUE "Fundies" course and we'll talk about it.
...Sorry, man - bleeding eardrums stain the deck of my boat.
If that's not enough of a hint for you, then I don't know what is.
Love ya, man... That's why I'm being such a dick about this.
Okay, look... You've got like 5, maybe 10 dives to your name. You have no idea what you are talking about. I'm not going to argue with you the plusses and minuses of solo diving - suffice to say that not one agency condones them - although there is one that offers a course in it anyway. Based on that, I don't even have to tell you my opinion on the matter - it simply doesn't matter. I'm trying to figure out why you think that you know more than every scuba agency on the planet.
...And that attitude gets you kicked off my boats. Not only is it arrogant, but it's an accident waiting to happen, and you don't even know it yet because you haven't yet gotten to the point where you've figured that out.
...But you'll be wearing your trusty computer when I'm called to retreive the body.
Well, "goodonya, mate." What's the big deal, then, if you end up paralyzed or drowned? No, no... That's cool. Wheelchairs are cool. Really. Having someone else wipe your *** every day for the rest of your miserable, short life is cool too. Why not?
Yeah, but not for long. Keep diving this way and you'll figure it out. I honestly hope that "figuring it out" doesn't kill you.
Hm.
Well, justify it all you want, dude. While you go and kill yourself (or worse - end up living through it) doing something exciting, keep in mind that everything changes for you at the point that you die or become handicapped. Your friends continue on at that point in doing the exciting thing, and you do not. Period. In fact, if you live, life turns pretty sucky at that point while your friends continue to do that really cool thing.
...You know what? This is sounding like a doggone sales pitch - like I need to sell you safety or something! Like I need to remind you that dying would be bad and permanent injury would be worse. Like, duh... If you can't figure that out, I'm not wasting my breath trying to get you to realize that it's really stupid to run the risks that you're running.
Negative. I've got lots of dive buddies that are logical, rational human beings with a lot to live for. I don't hang out with the "death wish" adrenaline junkies any more. I got too tired of burying them - and listening to their wives and kids cry when I explained to them that Daddy wouldn't be coming home.
Okay, that's it - I can't stand it. I'm out.
tgreene
Reefer
- I had ZERO pain in my ears at any time, so I "assumed" equalization was fine.
- When my ear was checked, there was a tiny droplet of blood around the tear... Not a river of blood flowing down the side of my head and pooling at my feet.
- Yes, I did dive the computer rather than a solid plan, and you're correct that there wasn't a pre-determined plan, because we were diving in waters that we hadn't been in before. The solo dive started in 8' where I skimmed the bottom of the very gradual slope at 2-3 feet off bottom, to full depth.
I'm a computer guy -- as a programmer and with my aquarium business both, I use and heavily rely on computers for ease and convenience and my livelihood.
- VIS made all the difference in the world psychologically, because on one dive I could see my surroundings quite well, and on the other I couldn't see ****! Regardless of whether you the uber scuba-god personally believes it or not, that's what's known as a "comfort factor" to some people.
- So I didn't buy the BC and wetsuit that you insisted that I buy... There are no shops around here that sell or dive BP/W's, which means that I would have been completely on my own to have to rig it and learn to dive it. It would also have been substantially more than the $125 which I paid for a like new jacket-style BC. The BP/W rigged for doubles will simply have to wait until next spring when the finances will allow it. As is, I've had to buy 2 sets of regs (2nd set to be for doubles setup), prescription lens mask, complete wetsuit (hooded vest, jumpsuit, gloves), fins, weights, tanks, COMPUTER, etc. and frankly I can't afford to be spending anymore on gear this year. My LDS ordered me a 5mm Henderson Thermoprene suit for substantially less than what Leisure Pro would sell it for, so I bought it. Yes, I did seriously consider buying the Oniell suit you suggested from Austins, and for about the same price as I spent locally, but I decided to keep the money local and support my LDS. -- SO SHOOT ME!
BTW: Have you followed the reefkeeping advise that I gave YOU to the letter..? No, you haven't and as I recall the reason was/is because $$$ is a factor!
- I can assure you that I don't have a death wish, and contrary from what it sounds like I'm not an adrenaline junkie anymore either, and haven't been for the better part of 20 years or so. I've been there and done that! I am however all about solitude and the freedom to explore without hindrance. While I would never place someone else into a situation with a razor thin margin of error (also known as a F-up Factor), I will go there in a heartbeat so long as I have both the equipment and proper frame of mind to do it... There are days when I refuse to throw my leg over my motorcycle, because something just doesn't feel right at that moment.
- The moment I realized I had blown my eardrum (or suffered "barotrauma" since you like the big medical terms), I sought medical attention. I have also since done a ton of research on it this week, and have played back every minute of those 8 dives over and over trying to figure out what went wrong at what point, and nothing jumps out at me at any point. You're also very mistaken if you truly believe that I don't think that anything was wrong with the gear failure which caused a flooded regulator and/or the "barotrauma"... Obviously I do know that something went horribly wrong, or I wouldn't have have taken the time to sit down to start this thread in the first place!
I didn't for a moment think I was going to drown, because I had many options available to me at the moment that I needed to "sort things out". First and foremost was to relax and sit still. Since I was stationary and would not be changing my depth, I could hold my breath for as long as I needed to do so in order to determine what went wrong and correct it. If that wasn't possible and I was in an OOA situation for one reason or another, then a CESA was always the next option. Just because "drowning" runs through your mind, it doesn't mean that you're consciously thinking about it. Being a Wilderness Guide for several years, the very first thing that you should ever do in any situation is stop and think, then categorize solutions at every level of the game. Know your surroundings (ie: VIS greatly helps), and take a mental inventory of everything that you have available to you, both directly and indirectly.
- There is risk and calculated risk, though the real determining factor of which is which falls upon the individual making those decisions. To be honest, I have learned far more from this 3-fold incident that I could had any of it not happened, so from that perspective it's not all bad. Yes, my ears now hurt since the healing process has begun, and it's creating it's own natural internal pressure again to which I cannot "equalize" for fear of damaging the healing membrane. I'm also 1/2 way through the antibiotics which always make me feel like **** anyways, so the pain and suffering is now in full force.
- I'm terribly sorry that you feel the way that you do, but obviously "your boat your rules" and I completely respect that. I would love to take as many classes as possible, especially GUE "fundies", but without the $$$ to have the requisite gear, and the $$$ for the pre-requisite classes to get to that point, it's a moot point right now. In the interim, we'll have to agree to disagree on certain issues, though I'm fully cognizant of the fact that you will always be correct on MOST issues. The gear "issue" is utter BS as far as I'm concerned, though you are and always have been technically correct in that regard. In regards to soloing, we'll simply have to agree to disagree, but please do know that "backup gear" is and always will be in place when doing so. Yea, I'm also fully aware of your stance on a Pony Tank, but until I have a complete doubles rig, it's going to have to suffice as the next best thing in regards to redundant redundancy.
I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid and I most certainly don't have a death wish!
So, how's the weather over your way..? It was supposed to be storming here all week (again), but we've managed to escape it. It's perfect bike weather, but while wiring a power amp to my on-board XM Radio I somehow created an electrical short and am having difficulty tracing it. I have 1 1/2 weeks to get it figured out before I hit the road on the 27th for a few days of riding the twisties in the mountains of NW Arkansas.
Cheers
-Tim
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SeaJayInSC
New member
I feel like I'm losing a friend.
The alternative, though - keeping my mouth shut or not being so strongly opinioned about it - would likely also mean losing a friend... Or at least losing the possibility of us ever becoming dive buddies when you realized what was really happening and you decided to stop diving because it's so "unsafe."
I know this all sounds silly and overzealous to you, Tim, but I've been doing this a long time and know many who have been doing this even longer... And we are all tired of the same things we see every day. All of the people who have dived the way you're diving either don't dive any more, or got hurt or killed. To believe that somehow, you're different, is ludicrous.
I'm pretty much on my last post on this topic - as I said above - but it's thunderstorming outside for the moment and so I've called today's dives... And I really do give a rat's *** about you - so here goes:
Apparently it wasn't.
That you don't know when it is or isn't is the heart of the problem - and I would guess that it's also got to do with a newbie's typical issue with buoyancy, made worse by a cheap BC. I don't know for sure, since I haven't seen you dive - that's just an overall observation I've seen in situations like this, and it may or may not apply to you. However, the evidence is that you suffered some semblance of depth and pressure-related injury, and not only weren't aware of it, but are poo-pooing it in retrospect. I'm not worried about how much blood came from your ears, Tim - I'm worried about the attitude that you have about it - before, during, and after the injury.
One of my daughters hit a mailbox with one of my trucks the other day. She was texting while driving, ran off the road a little, and took out a mailbox.
Am I upset about the mailbox? Well, sure... Am I upset about the scratch on the front of the truck? Of course! But what really worries me is that she was texting while driving - and it worried me even more to have her tell me that it "wasn't a big deal" and that it was "just a mailbox." That's not the point - the point is her attitude behind the wheel is likely to get her or someone else killed - and she just blew it off like it was nothing.
...So tell me, Tim, do you see any correlations to your dive that ended up with a tiny tear in your eardrum? Even more importantly, do you see a correlation in your attitude after the fact, like hers?
Okay, that's just flat not safe - and this opinion is coming from a guy that dives basically every day in sometimes very dangerous conditions.
Planning the dive doesn't necessarily mean that the plan can't be, "We go to 100' or the bottom, whichever is less, head north and turn the dive at 1500 psi or 10 minutes, whichever is first." That there were so many unknowns is the REASON to plan the dive, Tim, not the other way around... And the REASON to take a buddy - to share the exploration and have a backup available to you.
Me too. Remember, prior sysadmin here... Used to work for Intuit in Quickbooks...
That said, as much as I like computers, knowing what I know about them, I don't think I'd stake my life on the correct operation of one - especially if I didn't have a buddy to back up my decisions.
That's called "surface logic," and it comes naturally to you because that's the way it's been for you for your whole life - decades of learning that light=good and dark=bad has created that "instinct" in you. Under water, there are much bigger things to be concerned about - like barotrauma, for example. Of course, this doesn't come naturally to you because you're inherently a land creature. Hence - "surface logic."
No "uber scuba-god" here, although in an odd, insulting way I'm flattered with your sarcasm.
I understand about the "comfort factor" thing... Doing what you did resulted in the results that you have now. Different actions would give you different results - likely without injury, and with a plan, a backup plan, a buddy to share all of this with, and all the rest. If it's "comfort factor" that you're looking for, wouldn't you find more of it in different methodologies?
I didn't insist that you buy anything - in fact, as I recall, I RECOMMENDED that you not buy any gear at all and rent for a while.
...But you didn't listen to that advice.
So when you decided to buy a BC, you asked for my opinion about them, and I gave it. You ignored that advice, too. When you asked me specifically for my opinion about the BC that you were going to buy, I told you that you shouldn't, but that if you did you'd probably get a few dives out of it and find that you might be able to eBay it for about what you paid for it - yet you still ignored the underlying advice not to purchase anything until you had done some diving and had an idea of what you need.
Frankly, I don't care what you buy - but if you ask me my opinion again, I'm not going to bother giving it to you, since you're obviously going to ignore it anyway.
I hear that argument often. If it holds weight in your mind, then so be it... But that's like saying that since nobody around you sells Ferraris, you'd rather buy a Kia.
Diving a BP/Wing is no different from diving any other BC in terms of how you wear it and what it does for you... It's not like it's a completely new experience that would require new skills and understanding. It's simply the same thing as a back inflate BC, except that everything works the way it's supposed to.
Cost is a common excuse, too.
What did the computer cost you? If you'd not purchased that and the BC and only half the weights, my bet is that you could have purchased a brand new BP/Wing and had money left over.
...But heck, I was the one that told you to hold off buying gear, so don't complain to me about cost of gear. I told you to save it and rent something and go diving with the money, not blow it on stupid stuff that you probably won't use in a year.
Hey, I'm all about supporting your LDS - after all, the places that I recommended to you ARE LDSs in Miami and New York.
I don't know anything about your LDS, but I can tell you that if they're teaching you to solo dive and recommending to you a dive computer and a full set of gear by the time you've completed your 5th dive, they're not looking out for your best interest, even if they believe that they are.
True, but if the fish tank doesn't work any more because we didn't listen to you, then my parents and my daughters don't have to attend my funeral - or wipe my *** every day.
I realize that "$$$ is a factor" - it always is, no matter how wealthy you are. That's why I recommended that you not purchase gear until you've got some education and experience under your belt.
...But you ignored that advice, too.
...And I understand that, for I have felt that too.
...Which is why I would think that you'd be more inclined to understand my point of view about your diving. How would you react to a new rider that was trying to tell you that "it was just a little fall" and, "5 rides to my name and I know what I'm doing," and, "my new R6 is the perfect beginner bike, since it's a small motor?"
Well, that's a start, my friend. Truly, I enjoy your company and don't want to see you dead, vegetableized, or get spooked and walk away from the entire sport of diving.
Yeah, but you said above that you considered it.
Any situation wher you're thinking about "the end" is too far.
In riding - you know, when you put the kickstand down and shut the bike off and pull your helmet off... If you think to yourself, "Wow, I almost bit it back there," you're taking it too far.
That is, if you want to continue to ride or dive or climb or whatever.
They say, "There are old divers and there are bold divers, but there are no old, bold divers." Make a choice now, Tim - do you want to enjoy diving for the rest of your life, or do you want to cut the whole shebang short - either diving or your life - because you wanted the thrill?
I'm not condoning one philosophy or the other - but I do recommend the "dive for the rest of your life" option, since that's the one I picked.
Okay, CESA is to diving what "jump off the bike" is to riding. It's not that it's not recommended - it's just that if you're considering it, you're past your comfort level... Which, if you read above, appears to be your reasoning behind some of your gear purchases, so I'm inclined to believe that it's of value to you.
Based on your "good vis logic," what happens if you have this issue in bad vis?
Agreed. Hopefully this incident will change your philosophy about diving a bit.
Have you decided yet that maybe you should do something different next time?
Talk to Extreme Exposure - http://www.Extreme-Exposure.com . Doug Maudry is a great guy and a GUE instructor that can take you through Fundies. I'm confident that he'll rent you a BP/Wing - not to mention show you how to use it so you won't feel lost - while he takes you through a Fundies course. Tell him SeaJay sent you.
I can't imagine that it would cost more than a perforated eardrum.
Schedule something this summer with him and save for the next couple of months and make it happen. Ask him about costs - I'm sure he'll work out something for you.
This isn't about the gear, my friend. It's about attitude, training, education, and a skill set... Much of which is completely free.
Your reference to gear reminds me of my first Fundies class... Read about it here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/21992-dir-class-truth-comes-out.html
I've only talked to you once or twice on the phone, but you gave me the impression that you're one of the sharpest people I've ever met. I don't think you're "dumb" in any way.
...Which is why I can't understand why you'd choose to dive the way that you're diving.
Many smart people have realized in their lives that they have to learn things on their own, and that what people say has to be taken with a grain of salt... Maybe you're that kind of person. I just don't want to see it really bite you in the ***.
Doh. *Jealous*
The alternative, though - keeping my mouth shut or not being so strongly opinioned about it - would likely also mean losing a friend... Or at least losing the possibility of us ever becoming dive buddies when you realized what was really happening and you decided to stop diving because it's so "unsafe."
I know this all sounds silly and overzealous to you, Tim, but I've been doing this a long time and know many who have been doing this even longer... And we are all tired of the same things we see every day. All of the people who have dived the way you're diving either don't dive any more, or got hurt or killed. To believe that somehow, you're different, is ludicrous.
I'm pretty much on my last post on this topic - as I said above - but it's thunderstorming outside for the moment and so I've called today's dives... And I really do give a rat's *** about you - so here goes:
Apparently it wasn't.
That you don't know when it is or isn't is the heart of the problem - and I would guess that it's also got to do with a newbie's typical issue with buoyancy, made worse by a cheap BC. I don't know for sure, since I haven't seen you dive - that's just an overall observation I've seen in situations like this, and it may or may not apply to you. However, the evidence is that you suffered some semblance of depth and pressure-related injury, and not only weren't aware of it, but are poo-pooing it in retrospect. I'm not worried about how much blood came from your ears, Tim - I'm worried about the attitude that you have about it - before, during, and after the injury.
One of my daughters hit a mailbox with one of my trucks the other day. She was texting while driving, ran off the road a little, and took out a mailbox.
Am I upset about the mailbox? Well, sure... Am I upset about the scratch on the front of the truck? Of course! But what really worries me is that she was texting while driving - and it worried me even more to have her tell me that it "wasn't a big deal" and that it was "just a mailbox." That's not the point - the point is her attitude behind the wheel is likely to get her or someone else killed - and she just blew it off like it was nothing.
...So tell me, Tim, do you see any correlations to your dive that ended up with a tiny tear in your eardrum? Even more importantly, do you see a correlation in your attitude after the fact, like hers?
Okay, that's just flat not safe - and this opinion is coming from a guy that dives basically every day in sometimes very dangerous conditions.
Planning the dive doesn't necessarily mean that the plan can't be, "We go to 100' or the bottom, whichever is less, head north and turn the dive at 1500 psi or 10 minutes, whichever is first." That there were so many unknowns is the REASON to plan the dive, Tim, not the other way around... And the REASON to take a buddy - to share the exploration and have a backup available to you.
Me too. Remember, prior sysadmin here... Used to work for Intuit in Quickbooks...
That said, as much as I like computers, knowing what I know about them, I don't think I'd stake my life on the correct operation of one - especially if I didn't have a buddy to back up my decisions.
That's called "surface logic," and it comes naturally to you because that's the way it's been for you for your whole life - decades of learning that light=good and dark=bad has created that "instinct" in you. Under water, there are much bigger things to be concerned about - like barotrauma, for example. Of course, this doesn't come naturally to you because you're inherently a land creature.
Hence - "surface logic."No "uber scuba-god" here, although in an odd, insulting way I'm flattered with your sarcasm.
I understand about the "comfort factor" thing... Doing what you did resulted in the results that you have now. Different actions would give you different results - likely without injury, and with a plan, a backup plan, a buddy to share all of this with, and all the rest. If it's "comfort factor" that you're looking for, wouldn't you find more of it in different methodologies?
I didn't insist that you buy anything - in fact, as I recall, I RECOMMENDED that you not buy any gear at all and rent for a while.
...But you didn't listen to that advice.
So when you decided to buy a BC, you asked for my opinion about them, and I gave it. You ignored that advice, too. When you asked me specifically for my opinion about the BC that you were going to buy, I told you that you shouldn't, but that if you did you'd probably get a few dives out of it and find that you might be able to eBay it for about what you paid for it - yet you still ignored the underlying advice not to purchase anything until you had done some diving and had an idea of what you need.
Frankly, I don't care what you buy - but if you ask me my opinion again, I'm not going to bother giving it to you, since you're obviously going to ignore it anyway.
I hear that argument often. If it holds weight in your mind, then so be it... But that's like saying that since nobody around you sells Ferraris, you'd rather buy a Kia.
Diving a BP/Wing is no different from diving any other BC in terms of how you wear it and what it does for you... It's not like it's a completely new experience that would require new skills and understanding. It's simply the same thing as a back inflate BC, except that everything works the way it's supposed to.
Cost is a common excuse, too.
What did the computer cost you? If you'd not purchased that and the BC and only half the weights, my bet is that you could have purchased a brand new BP/Wing and had money left over.
...But heck, I was the one that told you to hold off buying gear, so don't complain to me about cost of gear. I told you to save it and rent something and go diving with the money, not blow it on stupid stuff that you probably won't use in a year.
Hey, I'm all about supporting your LDS - after all, the places that I recommended to you ARE LDSs in Miami and New York.
I don't know anything about your LDS, but I can tell you that if they're teaching you to solo dive and recommending to you a dive computer and a full set of gear by the time you've completed your 5th dive, they're not looking out for your best interest, even if they believe that they are.
True, but if the fish tank doesn't work any more because we didn't listen to you, then my parents and my daughters don't have to attend my funeral - or wipe my *** every day.
I realize that "$$$ is a factor" - it always is, no matter how wealthy you are. That's why I recommended that you not purchase gear until you've got some education and experience under your belt.
...But you ignored that advice, too.
...And I understand that, for I have felt that too.
...Which is why I would think that you'd be more inclined to understand my point of view about your diving. How would you react to a new rider that was trying to tell you that "it was just a little fall" and, "5 rides to my name and I know what I'm doing," and, "my new R6 is the perfect beginner bike, since it's a small motor?"
Well, that's a start, my friend.
Truly, I enjoy your company and don't want to see you dead, vegetableized, or get spooked and walk away from the entire sport of diving.Yeah, but you said above that you considered it.
Any situation wher you're thinking about "the end" is too far.
In riding - you know, when you put the kickstand down and shut the bike off and pull your helmet off... If you think to yourself, "Wow, I almost bit it back there," you're taking it too far.
That is, if you want to continue to ride or dive or climb or whatever.
They say, "There are old divers and there are bold divers, but there are no old, bold divers." Make a choice now, Tim - do you want to enjoy diving for the rest of your life, or do you want to cut the whole shebang short - either diving or your life - because you wanted the thrill?
I'm not condoning one philosophy or the other - but I do recommend the "dive for the rest of your life" option, since that's the one I picked.
Okay, CESA is to diving what "jump off the bike" is to riding. It's not that it's not recommended - it's just that if you're considering it, you're past your comfort level... Which, if you read above, appears to be your reasoning behind some of your gear purchases, so I'm inclined to believe that it's of value to you.
Based on your "good vis logic," what happens if you have this issue in bad vis?
Agreed. Hopefully this incident will change your philosophy about diving a bit.
Have you decided yet that maybe you should do something different next time?
Talk to Extreme Exposure - http://www.Extreme-Exposure.com . Doug Maudry is a great guy and a GUE instructor that can take you through Fundies. I'm confident that he'll rent you a BP/Wing - not to mention show you how to use it so you won't feel lost - while he takes you through a Fundies course. Tell him SeaJay sent you.
I can't imagine that it would cost more than a perforated eardrum.
Schedule something this summer with him and save for the next couple of months and make it happen. Ask him about costs - I'm sure he'll work out something for you.
This isn't about the gear, my friend. It's about attitude, training, education, and a skill set... Much of which is completely free.
Your reference to gear reminds me of my first Fundies class... Read about it here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/21992-dir-class-truth-comes-out.html
I've only talked to you once or twice on the phone, but you gave me the impression that you're one of the sharpest people I've ever met. I don't think you're "dumb" in any way.
...Which is why I can't understand why you'd choose to dive the way that you're diving.
Many smart people have realized in their lives that they have to learn things on their own, and that what people say has to be taken with a grain of salt... Maybe you're that kind of person. I just don't want to see it really bite you in the ***.
Doh. *Jealous*
tgreene
Reefer
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15016688#post15016688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeaJayInSC
I feel like I'm losing a friend.
...<snip>...
And I really do give a rat's *** about you - so here goes:
If I didn't value every word of what you have written here, no matter how gruf, preachy, and "defeating" it may come across to others, then as stated above I wouldn't continue replying only to be further scolded by someone that I am proud to consider a friend and "mentor" if you will.
I have taken every word from you past and present to heart, and will continue to do so in the future should YOU be so inclined to continue providing them. Whether you believe it or not, I have taken your advice far more than you might be led to believe on numerous issues.
I am very much a "learn from experience" and "trial by fire" kind of person, which again is why I have spent every moment trying to recount where things went wrong. In regards to the equalization, if there is no pain or undue pressure, then I do believe that nearly every other diver out there would also likely assume that proper equalization had in fact taken place. As stated very early on though, I did have a bizarre situation 2 weeks prior with the same ear just going deaf for a couple of days while returning home from a bike trip to New Orleans. Is it possible that this rupture occurred as a result of that..? I'm sure there's always a possibility that it could be related, but all I really have is uncertainty and a blown eardrum at this point. (???)
The LDS was not in any way shape of form involved in the solo dive, and I'm quite sure they would be ****ed if they were to find out about it, though I have been very open and forthright about my intent to dive solo when possible.
The LDS does teach computers, and only hits the tables as necessary in OW, AOW and NITROX training. I had originally purchased analog gages from Leisure Pro, but traded them in for a Gekko when LP had a sale and the difference was only $50 more.
Back to my BC... It's a $500 unit that I snagged in like new condition on eBay for $125. Since I'm trying to get my wife involved in diving as well, if she gets in, I'll give it to her and then upgrade. Aside from a BC & computer , I had to have everything else in order to perform my job. The backup regulator is identical to my primary, and I bought it because it was a closeout at a huge price savings and I was gonna need a 2nd setup for doubles, and the Pony in the interim.
I was handed the keys to a shiny new Busa one sunny afternoon last year and told "GO!", but I had the wherewithal to graciously decline the offer and hand them back... I've been riding for the better part of 25 years, and I am 22 years past the need to exceed 150+ miles per hour just because I can (remember, I used to own a Seca Turbo). I have not been on a "super bike" since I sold it, though I often think about it. Every time I get the opportunity however, common sense kicks in and keeps me grounded because if you give me that much power, it's a sure bet that I will use and abuse it! Likewise, I haven't touched Coke in 20 years or so, but have been having cravings for it for the past several months... Because of this, I have had to intentionally stay away from certain friends because 1 line these days could very likely kill me or worse, leave me wishing that it had... See, I really do pay attention to what you say!
Please keep "wasting your time with me", but know that when it really counts you're actually doing quite the opposite... I'm exceptionally hard headed, but if you club me in the head enough, it will soften up like a sponge and begin absorbing things properly! :hmm4::hammer:
I have to tell ya though, when I read the 2nd line of your post that I quoted above, I could have sworn that you wrote that you "really doN'T give a rats ***", and I was gonna have to call SHENANIGANS!
-Tim
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SeaJayInSC
New member
Me too.
What's scary to me is that Tim tends to be the kind of guy that's super-intelligent, so he tends to believe something only when he learns it for himself - behavior that's probably learned from many life experiences.
...The problem is, this also fosters a "doesn't apply to me" attitude. Some of these things - should he have to learn on his own - don't allow you to make the mistake but one time.
I don't know what else I can possibly say to help.
It's kinda like standing next to a suicide bomber... You can try everything in your power to convince him not to wear the bomb, but eventually you've just got to take cover and get away from him.
What's scary to me is that Tim tends to be the kind of guy that's super-intelligent, so he tends to believe something only when he learns it for himself - behavior that's probably learned from many life experiences.
...The problem is, this also fosters a "doesn't apply to me" attitude. Some of these things - should he have to learn on his own - don't allow you to make the mistake but one time.
I don't know what else I can possibly say to help.
It's kinda like standing next to a suicide bomber... You can try everything in your power to convince him not to wear the bomb, but eventually you've just got to take cover and get away from him.
tgreene
Reefer
Seriously guys, don't bury me yet!
Yes, I screwed up and made numerous critical mistakes, but I've also received quite a valuable education from this which has forced me to to seriously reevaluate everything so that I can become a safe diver that gets to stay around long enough to get on SeaJay's nerves for years to come.
As painful as it was to give up climbing, I felt that I had to because I wasn't in a position where I could safely climb anymore due to the medical crap, so I stepped.
I've always been one to look at negative situations in a POSITIVE manner, but that can only be done if and when a valuable lesson has been learned from it all. ie: If you can get good from bad, then it wasn't all bad to begin with.
-Tim
Yes, I screwed up and made numerous critical mistakes, but I've also received quite a valuable education from this which has forced me to to seriously reevaluate everything so that I can become a safe diver that gets to stay around long enough to get on SeaJay's nerves for years to come.
As painful as it was to give up climbing, I felt that I had to because I wasn't in a position where I could safely climb anymore due to the medical crap, so I stepped.
I've always been one to look at negative situations in a POSITIVE manner, but that can only be done if and when a valuable lesson has been learned from it all. ie: If you can get good from bad, then it wasn't all bad to begin with.
-Tim
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SeaJayInSC
New member
Heh.
I would like that very much.
...And you don't "get on my nerves," it's more like I get angry that I'm gonna watch a buddy fall. Not only do I not want to feel responsible, but I don't want to get to know someone so that when it happens, I feel the loss of a good friend.
Visiting people while they sit in the corner and mumble and crap themselves while they rock back and forth on a bean bag is not fun.
Knocking on some pretty young wife's door at 11pm to tell her that her best friend and provider won't be around any more isn't fun either. I've done that twice, both times with the kids awake and asking me directly where their daddy is.
I don't want to attend yet another funeral for someone who bit it weeks after I sat down with them and told them that I was afraid for them. Five times now I've done that.
I don't want to pull yet another friend out of the drink - whose body has been in there long enough for the crabs to eat his face. On the last one, as I pulled on his arm to pull him over the gunnels of the boat, the skin tore off at the wrist and I was left with a leathery glove of a hand while his body splashed helplessly over the side, spewing goo everywhere from his now-amputated appendage.
I don't want to experience one more time having to surface first to ensure that no "next-of-kin" are standing around the sink to see their loved one's body be hauled out like a big, swollen, floppy trash bag.
I don't want to yet again have to recount to the coroner how the deceased's fingertips were completely gone, since his last throwes of life were spent clawing a rock ceiling so hard that it literally took all of his flesh off.
...And yet, that's what I do. I'm more numb to it now than ever, but I will tell you, Tim, if I have to do that for you, I'll kill you.
You're entirely too smart to be doing stupid **** like that.
In one case I had to redo my regs to get the stench of death out of them. Yum.
Know what happened the next day after each of these recoveries? I went diving. I played with my scooters. I chatted with my kids, I made love to my wife, and I enjoyed a good steak grilled on my barbecue. I listened to my favorite music and I watched a good movie and I snuggled with my sweetheart.
They didn't. They didn't get to do any of those things. They were done.
Most of their wives remarried, which is to say that they were replaced, and their wives and kids and families became another man's. Someone else slept with their wives, slept in their beds, ate their breakfast and drove their cars. They were replaced at their jobs. Someone else took over their lives.
Do NOT let that happen to you, Tim.
Know what was worse? Actually being alive to see all of the above happen - confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak in some cases, left with a constant nagging sensation of tingling or joint pain or inoperative digits, all the while left to stew about what they did wrong.
...In some cases, they didn't technically do anything wrong. I know of one person who this happened to who was swept to the surface instantly by a powerful upwelling, and another who had a PFO and didn't know it.
Many we'll never know exactly what happened.
...So is it my place to challenge your opinion on solo diving? On reliance on your computer? Probably not - but if you die doing these things, Tim, I'm gonna be ticked.
You're a brilliant man - don't act like a dumbbutt.
...And stay out of the caves until you're certified for them.
