Reading the Accidents and Incidents Forum prompted some reflection today. We dive a local quarry in central NC, where the depth ranges from a pleasant shallow ledge around 25 feet, populated with lots of interesting artifacts, to a large, relatively flat open area at about 85, to a small Deep Hole at 91 (at least, with my computer on, or in, the bottom silt). Because of limited direct sunlight overhead (high quarry walls, and modest surface area) by the time you get to 91 feet, it can be fairly dark. Couple that with 5-10ft visibility at that depth at times and you are not diving in the best conditions. Now, 91 feet isnt really deep it is not 200ft, for instance. But, it is deep enough to think about. Water temps down there are in the upper 40s. And, I guess 48 degrees isnt really cold - at least it is not the mid 30s that some consider cold. But, it is cold enough to give you a face-numbing, or ice-cream headache at times, and it adds to the stress. But, I love it! It challenges you to be disciplined, to control your anxiety, to stay with your buddy, to make certain your equipment is tested and functioning before you submerge, and to engage in a litany of other safety-oriented behaviors as well. Of course, I am diving it dry, which may reduce some stress, I diving doubles, I periodically carry a pony because we are training, or trying new gear. And, I am always diving with a buddy I know well, and completely trust. Maybe, that constitutes 'Having it easy'.
Is it scary? Yes, at times. Descending into increasingly dark, increasingly turbid, increasingly cold water causes anxiety. At least it does for me. Have there been times where I started breathing a little faster and shallower, and a strong primal urge ascended from my subconscious, screaming at me to Bolt for the surface! Now, do it now! Get out of here while you can, before your regulator freezes up, before your manifold blows an O-ring and starts free-flowing, before a boulder falls from the wall above and lands on your head!? Absolutely! Irrational fears, perhaps, but that doesnt stop them from rearing their ugly, irrational head. But, after I am at the bottom, after my buddy and I start swimming around, my anxiety fades, my delight in being there asserts itself, and my confidence returns for yet another guest appearance.
There seems to be a strong human urge to do things underwater that are incompatible with life - some people apparently panic underwater and rip their regulators out of their mouth, and drown. Maybe, some people who feel claustrophobic with a full face mask, or feel they are suffocating because they are over-breathing their regulator, will rip it off and drown. I know I have felt claustrophobic at times with one. Knowing how much I like going deep, dark and cold, and knowing the spectrum of emotions it engenders, makes reading about diver accidents in deep, dark and cold environments all the more comprehensible, and all the more unsettling and disturbing at the same time.
Is it scary? Yes, at times. Descending into increasingly dark, increasingly turbid, increasingly cold water causes anxiety. At least it does for me. Have there been times where I started breathing a little faster and shallower, and a strong primal urge ascended from my subconscious, screaming at me to Bolt for the surface! Now, do it now! Get out of here while you can, before your regulator freezes up, before your manifold blows an O-ring and starts free-flowing, before a boulder falls from the wall above and lands on your head!? Absolutely! Irrational fears, perhaps, but that doesnt stop them from rearing their ugly, irrational head. But, after I am at the bottom, after my buddy and I start swimming around, my anxiety fades, my delight in being there asserts itself, and my confidence returns for yet another guest appearance.
There seems to be a strong human urge to do things underwater that are incompatible with life - some people apparently panic underwater and rip their regulators out of their mouth, and drown. Maybe, some people who feel claustrophobic with a full face mask, or feel they are suffocating because they are over-breathing their regulator, will rip it off and drown. I know I have felt claustrophobic at times with one. Knowing how much I like going deep, dark and cold, and knowing the spectrum of emotions it engenders, makes reading about diver accidents in deep, dark and cold environments all the more comprehensible, and all the more unsettling and disturbing at the same time.
