Well, what could go wrong?

[TSandM]

I'm getting jaded, reading accident and incident reports.

Assume Bob and Karen go to do a dive. They look at the planned depth of 100 fsw, with a multilevel profile, coming up a wall. They compare that profile to their own gas consumption on their HP100 tanks, and conclude that this is a dive they can do. They make a plan for maximum bottom time at depth, and sketch out a desired profile. They gear up on the boat and do a careful head-to-toe equipment check, including breathing both regulators and watching their gauges as they do so. They review the plan and the gas supply each of them has.

They jump in the water and descend together, keeping a watchful eye on the group guide. They execute the dive, paying close attention to the planned profile and comparing it to the dive as it unfolds. They watch their pressure, mindful of the rock bottom reserves they discussed on the boat.

They call the dive at the agreed parameter (gas or time) and ascend together, arriving at the surface as a pair. They remain together until they reboard.

Okay -- here's the challenge. Tell me what could happen (other than being eaten by a shark) that could cause a serious accident or fatality, given that the dive is executed as described.

 

[idocsteve]

Bob hasn't stayed in shape and he has a massive coronary at depth and goes limp and motionless. Karen tries to bring him up but because he's so large she becomes exhausted at the effort, and because she's narced she's so focused on the failed rescue that she depletes her air supply. She feels her reg pulling hard, realizes her mistake and pulls the reg out of Bob's unconsious mouth, takes a few good breaths, then abandons him and rushes for the surface. In her panic she forgets to vent her BC and has an uncontrolled ascent, she blows out both lungs and has an embolism that leaves her paralyzed and unable to breathe. Shes found some time later floating face down, and theres no hope for her or Bob, whose body is never recovered.

 

[joe8mofo]

They could be put into a situation where one or both of them develop DCS and then due to circumstances surrounding the ability to get them to care, they are paralysed or killed as a result.

Let us state they both are diving hung-over or still partially drunk, or say they are simply dehydrated. Lets say they have to do some strenuous exercise immediately after getting on the boat. It's very likely that they would have to do something outside of the parameters which you described to get DCS. Once they have DCS a problem could become rather major quickly if the boat is not equipped to handle an emergency. Would Matt from the Spiegell incident be as badly bent had the boat had 100% O2 on board for him to breathe? What if the boat does have an O2 tank and its empty because someone used it that morning? What if the boat has O2 but is unable to make it to shore in time due to engine failure or suddenly rough seas?

What if Karen surfaces from the water with a jellyfish on her wetsuit, as she takes off her wetsuit she gets stung and unbeknownst to her she is extremely allergic to this species of jellyfish and it triggers an anaphylactic reaction? In this situation they need access to Epinephrine and diphenhydramine HCL, and even that may be insufficient to stop the reaction.

One can only go so far to prevent Murphy's Law from applying. It boils down to freak accident or diver carelessness or even circumstances outside of your control. Stuff happens, but fortunately with planning its more likely you will be severely injured driving a car instead of while diving.

 

[idocsteve]

Bob's always had the hots for Karen, but he doesn't have the courage to approach her. Finally at depth, he's a bit narced, she's looking mighty fine in that skin tight dive skin, he approaches her from behind, and cups her breasts with his hands. She turns around and instinctively slaps at his face, knocking his mask off and his regulator out of his mouth.

The mask falls to the bottom of the Atlantic, Bob panics because he cannot see and he can't find his regulator, Karen tries to help him but Bob's flailing hands catch her in the face knocking off HER mask and regulator as well, the two of them drown before they can get it all sorted out.

 

[joe8mofo]

idocsteve,

I believe the exercise is to take into account that the dive is executed exactly as described. So the only room for an issue is prior to the dive or after they get back on the boat.

TSandM please correct me if I am wrong about those parameters.

 

[Scott L]

Bob's always had the hots for Karen, but he doesn't have the courage to approach her. Finally at depth, he's a bit narced, she's looking mighty fine in that skin tight dive skin, he approaches her from behind, and cups her breasts with his hands. She turns around and instinctively slaps at his face, knocking his mask off and his regulator out of his mouth.

The mask falls to the bottom of the Atlantic, Bob panics because he cannot see and he can't find his regulator, Karen tries to help him but Bob's flailing hands catch her in the face knocking off HER mask and regulator as well, the two of them drown before they can get it all sorted out.

Is it your daily mission to make a mockery of every thread on the board? Please give us all a break and acquire a girlfriend.

 

[idocsteve]

idocsteve,

I believe the exercise is to take into account that the dive is executed exactly as described. So the only room for an issue is prior to the dive or after they get back on the boat.

Ok fine.

Bob climbs the ladder at the conclusion of a successful dive, but he's mad at himself for not making a play for Karen when he had the opportunity...she was bent over examining a coral head, and it would have been PERFECT but he took a few seconds to check his gauges and the moment was lost.

So back on the boat he decides to go for it..Karen's switching tanks and Bob sneaks up behind her, he puts his arms around her..she swings at him, he falls backwards onto a dive knife that was carelessly left on the deck by a diver who is getting seasick over the port side of the boat.

Bob has lacerated an artery and he bleeds out before anyone can save him. Karen is mortified at the accident that she realizes is totally her fault, and she puts on 3 weight belts and jumps over the side.

 

[Gombessa]

idocsteve,

I believe the exercise is to take into account that the dive is executed exactly as described. So the only room for an issue is prior to the dive or after they get back on the boat.

I'm a bit confused by your suggested parameters. If this is the case, why any need to carve out a shark exception?

 

[Scott L]

At this late hour in EST I do not see a glaring ommission in their plan so I am going with the basics such as an entangelment, lost gas or having to deal with yet another diver in a OOA situation could very well force them to ascend much too quickly with potentially dire consequences...

 

[ppo2_diver]

In the scenario described, neither one of them analyzed their tanks. Perhaps one of them could tox?