Bent in Belize--Blue Hole Incident

[vladimir]

Wouldn't Nitrox be fatal at that depth due to O2 concentrations? Not the "130" they say on paper, but the "150" that the dive actually is. I haven't taken that class yet..

Using 32%, the common mix for recreational divers in the tropics: 150/33 +1 = ~5.5 atmospheres x .32 = ~ 1.78 PO2. The safe threshold is commonly considered to be 1.4 atmospheres, and varies from 1.2 to 1.6. The duration of exposure matters, and people have routinely tolerated much higher doses, so it would be more accurate to say, "potentially fatal" at that depth, or perhaps even better, "not prudent".

 

[peterbj7]

I used to offer 28% for the BH dive, but since I closed my shop nothing other than 32% is available. So nowadays the BH must be done on air. On the OP's dive only one person ran out of air. I have seen several people on the same dive (and diving with the same operator the OP used) all out of air at the same time. On one occasion I had as many people breathing from my rig as I had regulators, so I had to buddy-breathe with one of them. And I wasn't even there as a member of staff.

I'm particularly glad the OP posted here, as often we know these incidents happen but we never get to hear about them. For example, our OP knows of someone else with quite serious DCS necessitating a series of chamber rides, but that has not been reported anywhere here. I only know about it from the OP. That to me is the most unsatisfactory aspect of diving here, the secrecy, and is something I and several others have been trying for some years to change. However, diving here is controlled by a few local families and outsiders (I've lived here for 10 years but I'm still a total outsider) don't get a look in. In fact legally I can't even lead a dive here, despite having >6000 very varied dives and numerous relevant qualifications. I have to take instructions from an 18 year old with 100 dives, all made in these easy warm waters.

 

[robbcayman]

I read your entire post, but I haven't read any other comments yet. I did notice you mentioned a boobie sanctuary... can you please tell me more about this?

 

[billt4sf]

As we headed out to the dive site, one of the crew mentioned something about feeding the sharks. We thought he was joking. We had not signed up for a shark dive. .......Unbeknownst to us, while we were struggling to get back to the mooring line, the crew was chumming off the stern of the boat with fish parts. I was still at 50 feet on my way back to the mooring line, and upon looking up, saw a feeding frenzy of grey reef sharks under the boat and by the ladder. Diver number 1 left the mooring line for the ladder, but missed the ladder and the strong current carried her away from the boat. There was not a tag line off the back of the boat. Exhausted, Diver 1 kicked on her back and flailed with her arms, further exciting the sharks below her. One of the crew jumped into the water to pull her to the boat. We witnessed the sharks arching their backs and shooting toward the surface directly under dive 1. Diver 8 was still on the mooring line witnessing the scene. After getting onto the boat, diver 8 was so upset about the shark incident and exhausted by having to tow her buddy against the current at depth, that she sat out the second dive.

I can't BELIEVE that you and others didn't scream at the crew about the unannounced shark feed, no tag line, and insufficient (and dangerous) plans for a strong current. WTF?!?!? Am I missing something?!? I would be f-ing screaming angry and demand to be taken back to port and get a full refund right away.

- Bill

 

[themagni]

I read your entire post, but I haven't read any other comments yet. I did notice you mentioned a boobie sanctuary... can you please tell me more about this?

I was disappointed, nothing but birds.

No, seriously, the second surface interval with lunch was at a red-footed boobie sanctuary, apparently the only place in the world where you can find them.

Belize Audubon Society

Pretty nice interval, little walk on the beach, then up to an observation platform. Unfortunately my camera was toggled so I've got footage of me going up the ladder and then down the ladder again. It was a neat slice of Belize nature that didn't just focus on the aquatic.

 

[Hawkwood]

I was disappointed, nothing but birds...

Best line out of the whole thread!

 

[Ayisha]

Pretty nice interval, little walk on the beach, then up to an observation platform. Unfortunately my camera was toggled so I've got footage of me going up the ladder and then down the ladder again. It was a neat slice of Belize nature that didn't just focus on the aquatic.

That's ok, I got some Lighthouse Caye topside pics and Red-Footed Booby Birds. Sorry you can't see the feet:

 

[peterbj7]

Nice pictures. They're actually of Half Moon Caye. Lighthouse Caye, if that's what it's called, is a different island that no-one nowadays visits. It used to have a resort on it that went bust, and an airstrip.

 

[SC_Hoaty]

... They're actually of Half Moon Caye. Lighthouse Caye, if that's what it's called, is a different island ....

Who cares? She posted pictures of a naked boobie!

 

[Ayisha]

Hi Peter, thanks. I named them Lighthouse Caye at the time - I guess I didn't listen to the briefing. :blush: Ok, so they're on Half Moon Caye, thanks.