Tough Lesson to learn, I'm not an instructor

[Adventure-Ocean]

I had more than 12 years diving experience in the Marianas when I decided to help a young friend and teach him to dive. Big mistake. Even though we were a group of four my friend took off on his own. I spotted him at well over 250 ft. We sucked both tanks dry trying to decompress. My friend had a large embelism in his neck for a week or more. Again I tried to help teach another friend but I took him to safe 15 ft deep sand bottom area. He ended up popping an eardrum swimming circles with vertigo. Finally the lesson was learned. Do not try to instruct without the training, period.

 

[Superlyte27]

Holy Crap man. You just opened yourself up to serious litigation with this post.

 

[kaerius]

You'd think the first ill-adviced attempt with the accident would have made you stop and think...

Don't kill your friends.

 

[Bopper]

I had more than 12 years diving experience in the Marianas when I decided to help a young friend and teach him to dive. Big mistake. Even though we were a group of four my friend took off on his own. I spotted him at well over 250 ft. We sucked both tanks dry trying to decompress. My friend had a large embelism in his neck for a week or more. Again I tried to help teach another friend but I took him to safe 15 ft deep sand bottom area. He ended up popping an eardrum swimming circles with vertigo. Finally the lesson was learned. Do not try to instruct without the training, period.

It's crazy to think that a brand new diver would 'take off' and descend to 250ft. I don't know that an instructor would necessarily be able to help that type of 'student'. For me - at least on this forum - way too much emphasis is placed on the instructor's responsibilities and not enough on the student's.

Actually, I wonder if an instructor would have necessarily helped in either case.

 

[robertarak]

It's crazy to think that a brand new diver would 'take off' and descend to 250ft. I don't know that an instructor would necessarily be able to help that type of 'student'. For me - at least on this forum - way too much emphasis is placed on the instructor's responsibilities and not enough on the student's.

Actually, I wonder if an instructor would have necessarily helped in either case.

YES! Good instructors can prevent most incidents before they occur, and react to those few problems that do come up swiftly and safely....like when a student descends a few feet past planned max, not 250ft.

 

[dfx]

Finally the lesson was learned. Do not try to instruct without the training, period.

Who would have thought!

 

[Colliam7]

I decided to help a young friend and teach him to dive. Big mistake. Even though we were a group of four my friend took off on his own. I spotted him at well over 250 ft. We sucked both tanks dry trying to decompress. My friend had a large embelism in his neck for a week or more.

Your 'friend' is a complete moron - stay away from this person.

Again I tried to help teach another friend but I took him to safe 15 ft deep sand bottom area. He ended up popping an eardrum swimming circles with vertigo.

I think you need to reconsider your selection of 'friends'.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I taught several people to dive before being an instructor. I did a good job. I made them be able to freedive comfortable to around 30 feet before any scuba lessons started... Worst accident... exploded blood vessels in the eyes.. mask squeeze..

 

[redacted]

From the OP profile: " I am a Dive Master and was the chairman of UOG Dive Safety Control Board for 7 years. I was also a USCG 100 ton licensed captain. Retired and living in Oregon now."

 

[spectrum]

I don't know what is more bizarre, your actions or posting it here. This is the Internet, it has to be true.