Bogie
Contributor
Is it ever OK to punch a dive buddy in the nose?
I recently dove with an experienced diver off my Achilles boat to a depth of 103 feet in Monterey Bay. He is a competent diver with 100’s of dives. There were small wind waves and surges of 10 feet. This was definitely a more advanced dive. When diving in these conditions I am extra cautious. He had an 80cu tank and I had a 100 cu tank so he needed to call the dive because of smaller air tank.
We dropped down the anchor line and made sure it was secured. I always make sure the anchor is secure. It was 103 feet deep at the anchor. We ascended up to the pinnacle and averaged 70 feet on the dive. Visibility 50 feet, beautiful strawberry anomie covered the granite pinnacle with schools of blue rockfish swimming all around us. I had 1500 psi and decided to check my buddy’s air since he had an 80 cu. He was busy looking at critters but I interrupted him and asked for his air since he was diving an 80 cu. When he gave me the sign for 700 psi. I was shocked and alarmed. I planned to go back to the anchor line and ascend safely. Since he only had 700 psi I decided to ascend immediately. We ascended to 15 feet to do the safety stop. It was difficult to maintain because of currents and 10+ surges. I completed my 3-minute safety stop. At the surface I noticed that he stayed down. I stayed with his bubbles because he was only a few feet down and was watching him. He stayed for another 3 minutes. When he surfaced I asked what the hell. He said at 10 feet his computer indicated a 3 minute deco stop. (single tank deco? WTF) I have never had an experience with anyone with a single tank deco.
We had to swim against a small current to the boat. Because of the large swells and choppy conditions we both got seasick off the boat. When on the boat he told me he only had 200 psi. I had 1200psi on the boat.
When I got to the dock I was thinking WTF. I don’t dive recklessly. I have never gone into deco and only do non-deco dives. I add extra risk margin when boat diving (check air regularly and surface with extra air, smb, secure anchor, go up anchor line, dive into current return with current, pay attention to dive buddy).
The dive turned out well but it could have turned out bad. The smaller the dive safety margin the less resources you have to solve unexpected difficulties. Cave divers use the one-third rule. When I boat dive I always end the dive with 1000 psi or more just in case of the unexpected.
Every diver is responsible for his own dive. He is responsible for his air and nitrogen levels etc. My dive buddy did not check air and just continued diving. If I did not interrupt him and ask for his air what would have happened? I pay attention to my air and dive time. With 32 % nitrox I knew I had no problem with any deco, so my air was the controlling factor on my dive. I figured I had 1500 psi so he probably had 500 psi less, that is why I checked. He was just cruising around and not paying attention. I assumed he knew his air consumption level and was paying attention to his dive time for nitrogen loading. He is responsible for his dive. He should known his air level and dive time. Not checking one’s air and going into deco is NOT OK. Diving is safer with a GOOD dive buddy but when a buddy behaves recklessly it puts the other diver in a solo situation with the added burden of taking care the other diver. No more dives with this guy.
My question is: Is a punch in the nose acceptable dive buddy behavior?
Note: I am just kidding about punching anyone. I'd never do violence and would never even consider it. So, lighten up.
I recently dove with an experienced diver off my Achilles boat to a depth of 103 feet in Monterey Bay. He is a competent diver with 100’s of dives. There were small wind waves and surges of 10 feet. This was definitely a more advanced dive. When diving in these conditions I am extra cautious. He had an 80cu tank and I had a 100 cu tank so he needed to call the dive because of smaller air tank.
We dropped down the anchor line and made sure it was secured. I always make sure the anchor is secure. It was 103 feet deep at the anchor. We ascended up to the pinnacle and averaged 70 feet on the dive. Visibility 50 feet, beautiful strawberry anomie covered the granite pinnacle with schools of blue rockfish swimming all around us. I had 1500 psi and decided to check my buddy’s air since he had an 80 cu. He was busy looking at critters but I interrupted him and asked for his air since he was diving an 80 cu. When he gave me the sign for 700 psi. I was shocked and alarmed. I planned to go back to the anchor line and ascend safely. Since he only had 700 psi I decided to ascend immediately. We ascended to 15 feet to do the safety stop. It was difficult to maintain because of currents and 10+ surges. I completed my 3-minute safety stop. At the surface I noticed that he stayed down. I stayed with his bubbles because he was only a few feet down and was watching him. He stayed for another 3 minutes. When he surfaced I asked what the hell. He said at 10 feet his computer indicated a 3 minute deco stop. (single tank deco? WTF) I have never had an experience with anyone with a single tank deco.
We had to swim against a small current to the boat. Because of the large swells and choppy conditions we both got seasick off the boat. When on the boat he told me he only had 200 psi. I had 1200psi on the boat.
When I got to the dock I was thinking WTF. I don’t dive recklessly. I have never gone into deco and only do non-deco dives. I add extra risk margin when boat diving (check air regularly and surface with extra air, smb, secure anchor, go up anchor line, dive into current return with current, pay attention to dive buddy).
The dive turned out well but it could have turned out bad. The smaller the dive safety margin the less resources you have to solve unexpected difficulties. Cave divers use the one-third rule. When I boat dive I always end the dive with 1000 psi or more just in case of the unexpected.
Every diver is responsible for his own dive. He is responsible for his air and nitrogen levels etc. My dive buddy did not check air and just continued diving. If I did not interrupt him and ask for his air what would have happened? I pay attention to my air and dive time. With 32 % nitrox I knew I had no problem with any deco, so my air was the controlling factor on my dive. I figured I had 1500 psi so he probably had 500 psi less, that is why I checked. He was just cruising around and not paying attention. I assumed he knew his air consumption level and was paying attention to his dive time for nitrogen loading. He is responsible for his dive. He should known his air level and dive time. Not checking one’s air and going into deco is NOT OK. Diving is safer with a GOOD dive buddy but when a buddy behaves recklessly it puts the other diver in a solo situation with the added burden of taking care the other diver. No more dives with this guy.
My question is: Is a punch in the nose acceptable dive buddy behavior?
Note: I am just kidding about punching anyone. I'd never do violence and would never even consider it. So, lighten up.
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