Diving incident at Eagles Nest Sink

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Or you thought you had a buddy, but now that you need him....

Like whenever my ex girlfriend when she had her camera. (though I say that jokingly, as because of her, I got into diving, and for that I'm eternally grateful)

 

[mdb]

Diver 1 was diving a standard JJ CCR using side-mount bailout and not the "GUE Config" version. When I removed his body from the ballroom he was easy to manage.

I have not yet seen the abandoned CCR that Diver 2 was wearing. I suspect it was configured the same as Diver 1's rig was configured.

Kensuf:

Appreciate your brave recovery diving as well as your continuing contributions to this very informative thread.

This thread could well save divers lives; regardless of what type of diving they are doing.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Diver 1 was diving a standard JJ CCR using side-mount bailout and not the "GUE Config" version. When I removed his body from the ballroom he was easy to manage.

Much respect to you and the other recovery divers, Ken. That's a tough job to do.

 

[KevinNM]

Diver 1 was diving a standard JJ CCR using side-mount bailout and not the "GUE Config" version. When I removed his body from the ballroom he was easy to manage.

I have not yet seen the abandoned CCR that Diver 2 was wearing. I suspect it was configured the same as Diver 1's rig was configured.

Thanks for getting them.

I wasn't trying to suggest they were, just mentioning that their config is actually a fairly lightweight one compared to how some JJs are set up.

 

[boulderjohn]

For me, the skill was, but not the likely reason for needing to do it.

About 10 years ago a ScubaBoard member who was part of the decision making to RSTC standards said the primary reason for the skill in the OW class was simply to give the diver a task loading skill that demonstrates comfort with the gear under water. The course materials do not tell you to take your gear off for an entanglement, and they do not tell you to dive solo.

 

[Dan]

This point is easily missed and perhaps one of the most important ones to understand. The divers were likely in a total silt out with zero vis. So communication was likely done through limited visual and touch communication at the crucial stage were Diver 1 lost his rig and Diver 2 likely came to help.

This reminds me of when I was Cenote diving in Chac-Mool Big Brother, Mexico, while outside was raining hard all day. Muddy water was draining into the Cenote to the point of zero visibility at the exit. I could not even see the line, just some backscatter of my light to the surrounding muddy water. All of a sudden I felt someone grabbed my head & push it down & forward into the exit hole. Apparently the DM/guide was waiting in front of the exit hole & guide 4 of us one by one into the exit hole with zero visibility, until we hit the end of the pond & popped up into the exit cavern muddy pond surface. Had he not be there to reach me & guided me down into the exit hole, my head would have hit the wall & panic set in.

 

[kensuf]

AJ had a much tougher job than I did.

 

[mdb]

AJ had a much tougher job than I did.

You are being modest Kensuf.

The fact you are still helping us understand and learn from this incident is much appreciated.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

AJ had a much tougher job than I did.

You all had a really tough job. And you all did excellent.

 

[DustyC]

I'd be curious if any instructors wrapped fishing or cave line around the first stage of an open water student (and around that student) and said, "Okay, now get yourself out of that".

Underwater scuba kit removal and replacement occurs in confined water only and there is no entanglement involved.

I'd be curious if any instructors wrapped fishing or cave line around the first stage of an open water student (and around that student) and said, "Okay, now get yourself out of that".

Underwater scuba kit removal and replacement occurs in confined water only and there is no entanglement involved.

If it occurs. My instructor had us do it. I haven't seen it done since, in 10 or so times with an OW class, nor have I ever seen it discussed with them.