BertStevens
Contributor
For Fall break in late October, I took my wife and youngest daughter, Abigail to Destin, FL. Sadly the older 2 had classes and could not join us. Weather was great and I managed to dive 3 days. 2 days were with my daughter, who is Jr certified this year. She didn't dive the middle day, because it was planned deeper than her Jr. Certification allows.
On the last dive of the last day, we were on the east end of the bridge rubble and the current picked up a little and viz dropped to where I couldn't see the boat from depth (this will become significant). We'd followed the anchor line down and our plan was to follow it back up. We began our dive into the current and then drifted back past the anchor. My daughter had been holding my hand the first day, earlier in the week, and first half of the first dive that day. She'd started to get a little more comfortable and let go to look around on her own, with me keeping a close eye on her.
When she hit 1000 psi, I started looking for the anchor. But i did not realize the current had taken us further than I thought. Since viz had dropped, I couldn't just look up and see the boat. I knew were were close, but when she reached 500 psi, I let her know it was time to head up...and that I couldn't find the anchor. Being the protective Dad I am, I had my 6' DAN SMB with finger spool, and sent it up. We did a slow ascent and 3 minutes at 15 feet. After we surfaced, I looked around and located the boat. It was too far away to swim, so I gave a big OK and we laid back and floated until they could come pick us up.
Now my 13 y.o. lets me know that she "almost died" while we waited on pickup. She thinks she was going to run out of air. After we got on board, we discussed what happened and why air lasts longer at 15 feet than at 60 feet. So she was never in any real danger of running out.
Negatives...
1. I think I turned too soon. I should have stayed into the current longer.
2. I also needed to keep a closer eye on the exit and get a bearing with the compass as we passed the anchor. I knew which direction it was, just not how far.
Positives...
1. I always have my SMB. And I have practiced with it. This was the first use in open water where I really needed it. All other uses were just practice. And the boat appreciated the 6 foot height. Im told it was easy to see!
2. Abigail never panicked. She was practically in my face during the ascent, but she was calm. We even joked a little on the safety stop. But I could tell she was nervous. It probably helped that I've been diving 20+ years and was relaxed. Even though I was upset with myself, I never let it show.
3. We kept a close eye on each other's air. Knowing when she hit 500 psi allowed me to decide when on a free ascent.
4. I also think it was a great learning experience for her. WE are responsible for our dive. Not a dive master, not the boat. US!
Now its a running joke. She will tell me at random times..."I almost died!" And my response is..."but you didn't!"
OK, I have my flame retardant britches on...Flame away!
On the last dive of the last day, we were on the east end of the bridge rubble and the current picked up a little and viz dropped to where I couldn't see the boat from depth (this will become significant). We'd followed the anchor line down and our plan was to follow it back up. We began our dive into the current and then drifted back past the anchor. My daughter had been holding my hand the first day, earlier in the week, and first half of the first dive that day. She'd started to get a little more comfortable and let go to look around on her own, with me keeping a close eye on her.
When she hit 1000 psi, I started looking for the anchor. But i did not realize the current had taken us further than I thought. Since viz had dropped, I couldn't just look up and see the boat. I knew were were close, but when she reached 500 psi, I let her know it was time to head up...and that I couldn't find the anchor. Being the protective Dad I am, I had my 6' DAN SMB with finger spool, and sent it up. We did a slow ascent and 3 minutes at 15 feet. After we surfaced, I looked around and located the boat. It was too far away to swim, so I gave a big OK and we laid back and floated until they could come pick us up.
Now my 13 y.o. lets me know that she "almost died" while we waited on pickup. She thinks she was going to run out of air. After we got on board, we discussed what happened and why air lasts longer at 15 feet than at 60 feet. So she was never in any real danger of running out.
Negatives...
1. I think I turned too soon. I should have stayed into the current longer.
2. I also needed to keep a closer eye on the exit and get a bearing with the compass as we passed the anchor. I knew which direction it was, just not how far.
Positives...
1. I always have my SMB. And I have practiced with it. This was the first use in open water where I really needed it. All other uses were just practice. And the boat appreciated the 6 foot height. Im told it was easy to see!
2. Abigail never panicked. She was practically in my face during the ascent, but she was calm. We even joked a little on the safety stop. But I could tell she was nervous. It probably helped that I've been diving 20+ years and was relaxed. Even though I was upset with myself, I never let it show.
3. We kept a close eye on each other's air. Knowing when she hit 500 psi allowed me to decide when on a free ascent.
4. I also think it was a great learning experience for her. WE are responsible for our dive. Not a dive master, not the boat. US!
Now its a running joke. She will tell me at random times..."I almost died!" And my response is..."but you didn't!"
OK, I have my flame retardant britches on...Flame away!