Beat this for bottom time (this is not a challenge)

[m00c0w]

Saturday
Depth 18m, bottom time 5hrs 45 mins.

Sunday
Depth 18m, bottom time 1hr 45 mins

Monday
Depth 18m, bottom time 1h 45 mins.

Just a word to the wise though, don't try. Being bent is not the most enjoyable experience I've ever had, and neither is how I got in to the situation in the first place. Sad Sad

The plan:
Dive the Syclla in the morning, dive the Eddystone or JEL in the afternoon, dive what we didn't do on Saturday pm on Sunday am and maybe another before we head off home (not wreck penetration, just to look around from the outside).

Saturday, dive 1: Syclla, Plymouth
Depth 24m, Vis 1m, bottom time 10 minutes, and then it all went very very wrong. 24m > surface in seconds, with no one else to point the finger of blame to other than myself if I'm going to be totally honest about it.

Still, although it terrified the crap out of me (I thought I was a gonner), and at the moment I can't even face opening a dive magazine I've taken some positives out of it - where the dive started to go wrong, what I could of done to prevent it etc etc. Just having to go through a seriously fast ascent and having to spend 9 hours in the pod is not the best way to have those questions answered - and I may have to spend another 2 hours in yet.

I'm out of action for 3 months, but that may be brought down to 3-5 weeks. Fingers crossed for Ireland. Even though I'm nervous about getting back in, I feel I have to.

So, a disaterous weekend really. If only there was a PADI dry dive speciality!

[Woody]

Sorry to hear about this.
Can I ask, what caused you to have a fast ascent?

[Ian]

Commiserations on the time in the pot, but glad to hear that there is no serious or lasting damage!

Good luck with getting back in the water!

Ian

[Badknees]

unlucky fella, time will fly by.

[m00c0w]

Woody Wrote:Sorry to hear about this.
Can I ask, what caused you to have a fast ascent?

Umm... me pushing my inflater on my dry suit and my BC probably caused me to rocket up to the surface.

The problem started on the boat. I wasn't inspired with confidence in the dive. I've not done a lot in the UK (two at Stoney) so this was quite a step (for me anyway). I've done deeper abroad, but not in shit viz.

So, that's the first problem. The second problem I had was with my weight belt. On getting in the water, it was loose so I got back out on to the boat to adjust it. On getting back on the boat, the skipper kind of took over, so I wasn't able to do what I wanted to do, and I felt rushed. On getting back in, I had the same problem - it slipped. I wasn't getting out again to adjust because I was getting more apprehensive about the whole dive.

Third problem - the Syclla has a shot line. Whilst going down the line I did nothing to adjust my buoyancy. I was holding on to a rope, everything felt fine so I didn't bother.

Fourth problem - when I we got on the deck I also did nothing to sort out my buoyancy. When it came to dropping over the side, I felt like I was sinking like a stone. I couldn't do anything to correct my buoyancy no matter what air I was putting in to my suit.

Fifth problem - PANIC! Fuck I panicked. I've never been so terrified in my entire life. Nothing I did would correct my buoyancy. I'd not really been paying attention to how deep I was going down or what rate, just to get my buoyancy sorted. Before I knew it I had no idea what way was up, down, left or right. Bring on the hyperventilating! It felt like I was not getting enough air at all. I swear I thought I was dead. The more I hyperventilated, the more I panicked and the worse it got.

Panic took over all logic (which answered all those questions I've had over a few pints with other buddies I've had "what do you think you would do if....."), so inflater on dry suit pressed in continuously (which felt like it wasn't doing anything), and BC filled up with air (once I could find the inflater) and WOOSH! Bye!! I thought if I could just get back to the deck, I'd be fine. Well what with all the panic and me thinking I couldn't get any air, that plan was soon aborted. My buddy all this time was trying to empty my BC of air and tell me to stop - I wasn't having that - there was only one way I was going - up - fast. She was dumping air, I was putting it straight back in. Another girl who was also on the dive was trying to hang on to me, but I wasn't stopping for anyone. I even managed to kick them off!

Now, I've never screamed before in my life, but I'm not ashamed to say I did. It is something I'll never forget - ever. Has it put me off - hell yes!

Once on the surface, I waved for the boat, and then I can't remember anything until I was getting on the boat and I couldn't figure out what was left or right (I was being asked to put my left foot in the boat).

Can't remember my gear being removed from me other than my hood. I can then remember laying down in the cabin drinking water, whilst the others came up and then we hoofed it to shore where I went to DDRC whilst on oxygen. They gave me a test. Someone in a normal state of mind should score a 28. I was 19 I think. Everything was so difficult to do - I had to really focus on every question I answered.

So, three sessions in total and I am now feeling better. Started to get some pain in my hand again today, but I'm seeing how that plays out rather than running back to London Dive Chamber just yet.

DDRC signed me off from diving for 3 months. LDC say 3-5 weeks. I hope it's not 3 months because I've got a holiday in July, something arranged for August, and a course.

I've got to get back in - I can't leave it like it is for too long. The thought of getting back in is enough for me to brick myself alone at the moment. When I was at the LDC I had no desire to look at any dive based reading material at all. I didn't even want to look at posters on the wall. But a bad try dive in Barbados made me come home and do it properly, so I got over that hiccup so I'll get over this one too.

But on a positive note I've had a hard look at the dive and myself and I've taken a lot away from it. I hope things can only get better in future.

[coldhands]

Sorry to hear of another bend on this forum BUT you've come out the other side considerably wiser and with the experience now firmly behind you. Don't rush anything. Take it at YOUR pace and hopefully you will be back in the water enjoying yourself soon.
Get that hand pain checked out!

[Ian]

miniman Wrote:

m00c0w Wrote:DDRC signed me off from diving for 3 months. LDC say 3-5 weeks. I hope it's not 3 months because I've got a holiday in July, something arranged for August, and a course.

Your LDC are not Chamber docs, do a the DDRC says and rest. Also practice some more quarry or shallow shore dives. Most impotant don't let it put you off diving. Hope you are OK. Me

LDC = London Diving Chamber. I think they know what they are talking about, although personally I would tend towards the more conservative view rather than the less conservative...

(Are you getting confused with LDS = Local Diving Shop?)

[vidiotic.]

To be honest mate you are quite lucky its just DCI your suffering from by the sounds of it . i know its hard to do but easy to say but dust yourself, try to stop yourlsef living it other and other again and hopefully, with a few shallow dives in better viz you can get your confidence back. Hope you make a full recovery anyway mate.

[PoseidonPete]

m00c0w Wrote:I wasn't inspired with confidence in the dive.

You were right, I think this is the point at which you should have de-kitted.

Hope all works out for you and you make a come back, glad your ok

[Stix]

Phew... Thats a story and my thoughts are with you. I can quite easily see that situation happening...

Maybe one point to take-away is the thing we all have drummed into us during our traiaing but seem to forget as time goes by; If you aint happy about it, dont dive. Your points 1-4 had you in the spiral to 5 and you could (I know its easier to say than to do) have canned the dive with (hopefully) no recrimination/pressure from your group.

I really hope you can get back in soon, the old climb back on the horse analogy, and do take it slowly when you do - step by step, by teh numbers. If you need a change of scene / buddy to work with on this, do PM me... would be happy to help you as I am sure anyone on the forum will if you want it.