What constitutes an emergency?

[NAUI Wowie]

My friend Carol posted this on the NFSA facebook page and I think it's warranted to discuss here

"What constitutes an emergency? Theoretically in cave diving we should have no "emergencies" because we have - by accident analysis - supposedly thought through every possible adverse event and have a contingency action to account for it and survive. So if something "happens" and we take corrective action are we having an "emergency" or are we just terminating our dive earlier than planned using an alternative procedure?. If one of the engines on my two engine airplane quits am I having an emergency or just landing earlier than planned - as it flies perfectly well on one engine (The FAA says it's an "emergency" but they have a legal definition formed in an office). Common sense and good practice would suggest that we hold ourselves (or our team) wholly responsible for the assets and training needed to complete our dive either under nominal or "contingency" situations. Does relying on someone elses interpretation and indication of the cave topology ("way out") meet this requirement? I do not have a good solid 100% answer to either question, but I do have a good, solid 100% answer to how I am going to conduct a given cave dive and what I am going to do in any given scenario that I encounter or can reasonably think of based upon my training and experience. When am I having an emergency? If I am how much do I rely on others to help me survive? Is a silt out an "emergency"? I have after all been trained how to deal with zero visibility conditions. In case you had not realised by now this post refers to the "Lamar Peacock Cookie Controversy" and is intended to further thoughtful and insightful discussion - I am not offering a solid opinion or solution as I do not have one yet. In life some people are catalysts for change, some are not. Sometimes change is difficult, sometimes it is wrong, sometimes it is not. The only way we can find out is to explore and discuss, sometimes starting the discussion is difficult, and painful, and clumsy. Remembering that the final best solution or change will probably take compromise - a seemingly ancient and forgotten art in some aspects these days. When commenting to this post please consider if you have something to add or are simply being sarcastic, attempting humor or criticizing without suggestion."

Nothing constitutes an EMERGENCY. Kind of a dramatic subject head as its self explanatory. Emergencies are self explanatory. a diver on a single tank at 130 ft deciding to run off down deep is an emergency. a panic situation is an emergency. a diver with a deepwater blackout who drops their reg is an emergency. An emergency can be anything and can be over in seconds. What is an emergency? If you have to ask then you should not be diving without an instructor or divemaster within touching distance.

 

[The Chairman]

If you have to ask then you should not be diving without an instructor or divemaster within touching distance.

I wonder how @tbone1004 feels about that assessment?

 

[tbone1004]

when my underwater ipod stops working

when facing a 2 hour deco hang, that certainly constitutes emergency conditions.

I wonder how @tbone1004 feels about that assessment?

don't get me started Pete....

 

[The Chairman]

don't get me started Pete....

I just thought it funny that you should consider ONLY diving with an instructor since you are one!

When I first read it, I was reminded of that scene in Stripes where Sgt Hulka said those immortal words: "Lighten up, Francis." Why so dismissive? Why so judgemental? I see it in many discussions and it ranks right up there with "if you dive with splits you're gonna die". Please ask the questions. Have the discussions. Don't let others make you feel like you shouldn't be diving if you don't understand something or have simply forgotten it. I guarantee that if you have a question, many, many others are simply too afraid to ask it because they think someone's going to tell them they need to dive with an instructor or DM. This is a safe place to voice your concerns, your questions and understandings. I've had my own misunderstandings pointed out here and it's good. I would rather learn what is right rather than bluster my way through life trying to prove to everyone that I am right.

 

[dmaziuk]

don't get me started Pete....

As long as you can touch yourself, you'll be fine.

 

[NAUI Wowie]

lmao im dyin here.... oh fyi If I type ANYTHING after 10 pm im probably on my second bottle of Cab and TUI

typing under the influence

OH and btw , where is this thread"if you dive with splits yer gonna die" I already love the title!

 

[The Chairman]

OH and btw , where is this thread"if you dive with splits yer gonna die" I already love the title!

It's a theme that keeps popping up along with "Which BC? Just buy a BP&Wing and be done with it!" as well as a few others.

CLICK ME! CLICK ME!​

 

[txgoose]

I may have missed it but am surprised that no one brought out the old porn cliche’.

“I don’t know what an emergency is, but I recognize it when I see it.”

 

[Bob DBF]

I may have missed it but am surprised that no one brought out the old porn cliche’.

“I don’t know what an emergency is, but I recognize it when I see it.”

Or if Jeff Foxworthy were a diver:
"If your going to be dead in a few minutes if you don't take immediate corrective action, you might have an emergency."


Bob

 

[dbulmer]

An emergency is a failure to respond to any event which could contribute or cause physical injury to a diver within a time envelope of 5 seconds.

Not the best definition I guess but it's what I use.