Not trying to be critical but I have a lot of questions about what you did.
I have been trained to thumb a dive if you are congested. I am surprised that a DM would have condoned a dive of this level much less accompany you. Let alone the fact that he knew you had what sounds like some pretty severe congestion. At least that how I was trained. Looking back do you think you should have thumbed the dive?
You are AOW with <24 dives? WOW, I have only a few dives more than you and don't have that Certification. I am still trying to be efficient with the tasks required for a 60' dive. I am not ready to go further than that or to seek training to do that until I am completely comfortable with the training I have received to this point. I guess you must be a natural in the water. What abilities do you have that made your decision to make a dive of this difficulty?
140 fsw, Isn't that beyond your certification level? I thought that would take a Tech certification to even think about a dive to that depth. Do you think that narcosis could have played a role in your feeling of panic? Though I have limited information regarding this, what I have been taught is that Narcosis is very possible and can play a role in the situation you describe for panic. Doesn't 140' require some Deco planning? Doesn't it also require some fairly extensive gas planning? A quick glace at some tables that are on my watch band say 10 min NDL for a 140' dive. Does this type of dive require some sort of surface support for possible complications? Was there any kind of surface support in place?
What was the water temp at 140'? Was a shorty enough thermal protection? Isn't it normal to have a full suit on for wreck diving to avoid being injured from cuts, abrasions and attacks from stinging critters? Do you think water temp or vis played a role in your panic?
I am just curious about the whole thing. I just wonder if after having done this you think you were actually prepared and properly trained to take on a dive with the technical aspects that are involved. I am PADI certified and wonder if NAUI training is more extensive.
Gas planning should really be done on all dives. I don't know what you covered in your OW class but the "be back onboard with 500psi" really doesn't work. You need to be able to have enough air at the deepest portion of your dive to safely get you and your buddy to the surface and still complete your safety stops.
Rock bottom formula assuming each diver is breathing 1 cu ft/min
Diagnose the problem- 1 min x Depth in atmospheres x 2cu. ft.
Ascent to deepstop- assume 33'/min ascent rate x avg depth in atmospheres x 2cu ft
deepstop- 1min x depth in astmospheres x 2 cu ft
ascent to 20'- assume 33'/min ascent rate x avg depth in atmospwheres x 2cu ft
safety stop at 20' - 3min x 1.6 (depth in atmospheres) x 2 cu ft
Add up your total cubic feet and divide that number by the tank size x rated pressure
Then add 200 for safety.
For example a dive to 140' with a single aluminum 80.
Problem 1 x 5.11 x 2 = 10.22 rounded to 10
Ascent to deep stop 2 x 4.08 x 2= 16
Deep stop 1 x 3.05 x 2= 6
Ascent to 20’ 2 x 2.47 x 2= 10
20’ stop 3 x 1.58 x 2 = 9
Ascent 1 x 1.29 x 2 = 2.6 rounded to 3
54/77.4x3000= 2093psi rounded to 2100 + 200 = 2300 psi rock bottom. Which actually gives you 700 psi of gas to use during your dive. Probably enough to get to the bottom of the mooring line, look around for a minute and then start your ascent.
If you're on a wreck and there's a strong current where you must return to your up line to not risk getting blown off the wreck you might also add 6 minutes at depth to get back to the line.
6 minutes x 5.11 x 2 = 61.32cu ft of gas add that to the number above
116/77.4x3000 = not enough gas
Makes doing a dive like this not feasible on a single AL80
