Thoughts on whole dive group surfacing when one of the group reaches 1000psi

[Lahaina Divers]

Aloha!

We have been in direct contact with the divers and have resolved the issue; however a bit of explanation is needed.

Unless the Captain has determined that conditions require a group pick up, buddy team pickups are frequently done on the live boat drift dives we offer. They were an option on Wednesday’s Backwall dives. The dive team leader in this instance was concerned that the low on air diver would not be able to do their safety stop unassisted, given what she had seen during the dive. Erring on the side of safety, she brought the entire group up.

Although we screen divers for a minimum number of dives and recent diving on the drift dive charters, it doesn’t always translate into the skill set and air consumption rate we would expect.

 

[Tigerman]

Question is, why did the other divers have to surface?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[Dr. Lecter]

Ironic that when these operations eventually lose divers, they're immediately blamed as incompetent, dangerous operators who should never have been issued a license. Does anyone else see this pendulum swing on SB? When operators impose rules, they're facist... when no rules are enforced, they're incompetent and unsafe.

Well, at least it's generally two separate groups leveling those allegations

 

[Ste Wart]

Aloha!

Although we screen divers for a minimum number of dives and recent diving on the drift dive charters, it doesn’t always translate into the skill set and air consumption rate we would expect.

So true.

 

[TSandM]

It sounds as though the DM felt that, for the safety of the shaky diver, she needed to surface with that diver, and that policy doesn't allow them to leave the other divers in the water without any sort of guide.

 

[Tigerman]

It sounds as though the DM felt that, for the safety of the shaky diver, she needed to surface with that diver, and that policy doesn't allow them to leave the other divers in the water without any sort of guide.

Except the major problem with that would be this quote; "(...) I had read reports of their dm's making the whole group surface when the first diver hits 1000psi.
So before I booked the dive I asked Tim the middle aged gentleman working the front counter about this and was reassured it was not the case (...)"

 

[danvolker]

I would bring my float with me, and let the boat follow the group, then pick me and my buddy up afterwards.....Sporasub Blue Water Float - Spearfishing World ( what my float looks like....and it easily deflates and fits in suitcase or gear bag)

 

[redacted]

It sounds as though the DM felt that, for the safety of the shaky diver, she needed to surface with that diver, and that policy doesn't allow them to leave the other divers in the water without any sort of guide.

I have seen DMs escort divers to the surface, deflate their DSMB. and rejoin the rest of the group. There are ways to handle such problems without restricting the dives of others.

unfortunately, you may occasionally run into DMs and dive ops that will try to take the easiest way out for them with little regard for their customers. You just have to be ready to say "NO" and not allow them to get away with it.

 

[OkByMe]

The only person responsible for my safety in the water is me. A DM is a guide that's it. I would have ignored him and reminded him that all on the charter were certified divers and responsible for our own air consumption. So did you tip?

I agree, but it is their boat their rules, and the Captain has the final say. Butt heads with the Captain, refuse to follow orders and you will find yourself handcuffed at the dock.

 

[redacted]

I agree, but it is their boat their rules, and the Captain has the final say. Butt heads with the Captain, refuse to follow orders and you will find yourself handcuffed at the dock.

Yep. I'd bet everyone remembers the story about the diver who received 10 lashes and was keel-hauled when he returned to the boat with ony 400 psi.