I don't want to appear to discount any of what ya'll are telling me, but let me just re-focus everyone that I'm a newbee, I'm seeing things from a newbee perspective. And like all newbees, just don't have the repeated skills to execute alot of what you are saying instantaneously. Yet I'm in the same (for argument sake) "peril" as you long toothers.
So specifically:
The long hose, S-maneuver-donation thing - forget it. That's a calm, collected effort of "ask and receive" - a higher-function learned effort from my perspective. Too much hose to stow, keep track of, worry about. Not to be dramatic, but its not executable in a near panic life or death situation. And that' s my frame of reference. Yes, I'll get better, calmer of course I will. Familiarity breeds a vigilant form of comfort. But I have to survive this tenuous period to get to where you are. Things need to be simple and innate.
The necklace, I have seen and looked into it before we OW'ed, but that too is a complication in my newbee-eyes. Why? Ripping a reg from a newbee buddy, might save one, but panic the unexpected donor - who then shoots to the surface. Now two in big trouble. Not going there.
Tracing - great one. Its on the list to practice. My buddy too. Alt Air source - you bet. Done.
Course Training - All I can say, is I think OW should be a whole lot longer, maybe 10 OW dives, and more rigorous than what I just went through. I think its flat dangerous - like a 16yr old let loose with a muscle car in the snow.
Good news is that as an old dude, I have a healthy appreciation for how ridiculously easy it is to die. I'll be a life-saving buddy for my buddy; but anal about trying to not have to rely on anyone else for my survival. Ya know what I mean?
Thanks for all the comments. I sure know what I'll be drilling myself on.
So specifically:
The long hose, S-maneuver-donation thing - forget it. That's a calm, collected effort of "ask and receive" - a higher-function learned effort from my perspective. Too much hose to stow, keep track of, worry about. Not to be dramatic, but its not executable in a near panic life or death situation. And that' s my frame of reference. Yes, I'll get better, calmer of course I will. Familiarity breeds a vigilant form of comfort. But I have to survive this tenuous period to get to where you are. Things need to be simple and innate.
The necklace, I have seen and looked into it before we OW'ed, but that too is a complication in my newbee-eyes. Why? Ripping a reg from a newbee buddy, might save one, but panic the unexpected donor - who then shoots to the surface. Now two in big trouble. Not going there.
Tracing - great one. Its on the list to practice. My buddy too. Alt Air source - you bet. Done.
Course Training - All I can say, is I think OW should be a whole lot longer, maybe 10 OW dives, and more rigorous than what I just went through. I think its flat dangerous - like a 16yr old let loose with a muscle car in the snow.
Good news is that as an old dude, I have a healthy appreciation for how ridiculously easy it is to die. I'll be a life-saving buddy for my buddy; but anal about trying to not have to rely on anyone else for my survival. Ya know what I mean?
Thanks for all the comments. I sure know what I'll be drilling myself on.