Brisbane Near Miss

[aleggo]

There was a near miss in Brisbane, Australia a month ago. An excellent account is located at the following link.

http://www.diveoz.com.au/feature_articles/ndr/ndr.asp

It reinforces the methodical preparation required for CCR.

[DrySuitDave]

From an ego standpoint, it has to be difficult for someone to post such an experience, but it is also take a courageous to do so so the rest of us can learn.

[saturated]

Thanks for the link! Another example of why to not solo dive as well!

[rbdave]

Another example of why to not solo dive as well!

Hi Saturated,

I can't agree with you. I'd rather dive by myself than with an OC diver. Apart from selfish reasons like not wanting the bubbles from the OC to ruin my experience. I personally feel that I'd rather not put the burdon of an attempted rescue on another diver. If the level of risk isn't low enough that you wouldn't dive alone you shouldn't be putting another divers life at risk also.


Cheers

Dave

[caveman]

Well, I am glad that people made it out , and lady luck was still around fortunately.

I end to agree with RBDAVE with regards to solo diving. There are plenty of cases where a buddy tries to bail out another, and ends up dying too. ( i.e. Malaysia east coast a few years back, I think there was another case on a wreck in the UK)

I have posted many posts on Solo diving on this forum, the pro's and cons ( yes, solo too has cons ). I must say how ever there are still those who live in a box and refuse to see some of the in0herrent dangers in the buddy system

[caveseeker7]

Solo diving requires self-sufficiency. So does being a dive buddy. Ergo by the time you're valuable as a dive buddy you might as well go by yourself, unless you have a known partner to start out with. Some divespots pretty much dictate solo trips.

BUT: If you take a look at RB fatalities, way to many occured on solo dives.
Madmole's accumulation of Inspiration accidents is probably the best on the net, and seeing that number of deceased solo divers is frightning.

OC: No problem. RB: Not anytime soon.

[saturated]

Dont get me wrong I dive solo, but whenever possible I do dive with a competent buddy. Time and time again you hear of solo divers losing their lives OC and Rebreather. However you must pick a buddy with excellent skills, a great diver is a great asset a poor diver is a great liability. No matter how much redundancy you have or how good your skills are, there may come a time when you need help.....no buddy, no help. Statistically speaking most accidents have occured while diving solo.

Dave,

I do agree in part though, I have a buddy that I trust and visa versa, weve been diving together for about 10 years and have indeed needed each other a few times. As for a randomly picked cattle boat partner, not a chance then I'd be solo....Just preffer to dive with a great buddy....

[blacknet]

Hello,

My belief is that of the right tool for the job makes life a whole lot easier. I think that solo diving does have its purpose and place. I have and do solo dive myself. For me I’d rather solo dive and be ultra safe, highly anal about when to abort the dive and so forth than to baby sit some diver. Besides I primary do photography and by nature photographers are soloist.

Ed

[rbdave]

Hi Saturated,

I too would prefer to dive with a competent buddy but do not have one. This is the reason I generally dive solo. Apart from any perceived safety advantage it's good to share a dive.

I assume your buddy is also a CCR user?

Cheers

Dave

[bill harvey]

Ok I have a question, you say more people die solo diving with reabreathers, does anyone know if there are just more CCR divers that dive solo, if thats the case it could explain it. People who drive in cars are in car accidents more than people who don't go in cars. Personally I would think by the leevl of experience that most CCR divers have that by now they mostly solo dive.

[caveseeker7]

... according to Madmole's survey response. They also tend to dive both deeper and longer than recreational OC divers ... . I asume a lot of the solo dives are because of lack of a dive buddy with a like RB. Sucks if you're the only one in a group of OC divers. :(

I don't know if you've been to his site, Bill, it's certainly worth it. You'll find it at:
http://www.btinternet.com/~madmole/divemole.htm
Here a link to the survey results:
http://www.btinternet.com/~madmole/DiverMole/DMSurveyResults.htm
Also have a look at the 'You'll Die: Fact or Fiction' section. It contains what there is on verifiable info on Inspiration accidents at:
http://www.btinternet.com/~madmole/DiverMole/DMDanger.htm
Too many on solo dives. :(

[pwfletcher]

Wow ... I have been all over Mole's site and never saw that before. What a great survey.

BTW ... I have just over 8 hours on the unit now and am diving the Oregon with it on Saturday.

[padiscubapro]

pwfletcher once bubbled...
Wow ... I have been all over Mole's site and never saw that before. What a great survey.

BTW ... I have just over 8 hours on the unit now and am diving the Oregon with it on Saturday.

Patrick,
Keep your eyes open.. There have been some cool sightings on that wreck lately.. a few weeks ago another RB diver while doing deco saw a 12ft Great white, and last week someone saw what they believe was 7 gil.. also last week on the G&D a big Mako was seen by divers.. Its that time of the year....

[pwfletcher]

No worries ... I have been watching Shark Week on the Discovery Channel and know just what to do ... buddy up with a slow swimmer :-)

[madmole]

Another reason not to dive solo

Diving with a buddy reduces the chances of shark attack by 50% :D