Getting back on the horse after tragedy

[thisguy]

I've not been on this board for about 2 1/2 years. I was just getting started with diving after being medically retired from the army after having liver cancer. I was actually certified by a program geared towards soldiers recovering from injury or illness. Within 4 months of retiring I was involved in a dive accident. My dive partner, my uncle, who been there for me at times when no one else was died quite literally in my arms.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/pu...sugar-creek-volunteer-fire-department-oh.html

Sometimes the storm doesn't pass, but life goes on. So I've decided I need to get back and continue with what I've started.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Only you know when you are ready. It is a hard thing to recover from. People can come up with all sorts of platitudes most will never know what it feels like fortunately!

I hope you are able to find the joy and peace of the sport again.

 

[Maverick17]

That's pretty tough man, in many ways. I don't have a history to relate to it or comprehend it really, but wish you the best getting started again and belated condolences on your uncle.

 

[AfterDark]

Welcome back. There isn't much of anything harder than the tragedy you described and the long road back from it. Hope you find peace in your renewal of diving.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Time does not heal all wounds, but it does make them more bearable. I hope your return to diving will in some way be a tribute to your uncle. May I ask you make it a tribute to all us cancer survivors as well. I am still in my battle, but knowing you may return gives me a little more resolve.
DivemasterDennis

 

[drbill]

Years ago my regulator stopped delivering air at about 80 ft and I had foolishly discarded my pony bottle for that dive. I made an emergency ascent from that depth and every time I descended after that I had a mild anxiety attack. It only happened on the descent... once I was at depth it went away. It took nearly 6 months before these attacks went away (although they were never debilitating).

I'd ease back into diving given that your incident involved the death of a family member. Keep dives reasonably shallow and buddy up with a proficient diver... but don't give up altogether!

 

[rick00001967]

very courageous of you to get back into it. just making that decision deserves respect. good for you. good luck. take it slow

 

[ben_wilson3301]

Dr.Bill, were you using an upflow reg? And were you diving with a buddy at the time? Was it a buoyant ascent? It's rare or I wouldn't ask.