We returned from Marsa Alam after another two delightful weeks. Since I decided to complete my Dive Leader qualification my approach to diving has evolved subtly but definitely. Im constantly thinking about and honing my skills, and increasingly take responsibility for planning and leading, rather than just following guides. Diving in an experienced threesome where we were all taking pictures was generally very relaxed, but became challenging on a couple of occasions because we had no agreed dive leader. Ive just read and précised a DAN publication on diving fatalities (see below) and I was delighted to find its recommendations were virtually all (now of course are all!) in my checklists. The new S110 camera took a while to get used to but is already producing better pictures than its drowned predecessor. Ive made my first tentative foray into video, with results yet to be properly evaluated. Divers Alert Network (DAN) recently published research on nearly 1000 recreational diving fatalities. The trigger events were: Running out of breathing gas 41%. After my one experience of running out of gas I will never make that mistake again! DAN says “anything short of total management of your breathing gas puts you, your buddy and every diver in the vicinity at risk”. Entrapment 21%. Again, I have one experience of getting entrapped alone inside a wreck. Again, never again! DAN says “don’t enter overhead environments without being qualified and prepared to do so. When in doubt, stay out”. I’d add “and never alone”. Equipment problems 15%. These were all caused by user error, not equipment failure. DAN says “dive equipment is life-support equipment. Learn about all its features and functions, practice with it, and maintain it; take care of your gear so it can take care of you”. How can we reduce the likelihood that these triggers will cause problems for us? DAN’s answers are: Education: More knowledgeable divers are safer divers. Treat every dive as an educational experience and use any incidents that occur while diving as opportunities to learn. Practice: Dive skills and emergency management skills require constant practice and reinforcement. Although practice may not make you perfect, it will help you make the correct decisions in a problem situation. Experience: Divers with limited experience are at greatest risk. According to the DAN data, 88% of fatalities occurred on the first dive of a series. To prepare for more advanced diving increase the complexity and task loading gradually. Health: Approximately 25% of fatalities involved cardiac problems. Enough said! Predive Preparation: Review the dive plan with your buddy and agree alternative options. Agree that anyone can terminate a dive at any time for any reason without repercussions. Develop and continually reinforce a predive ritual, including equipment checks, dive plan review, contingencies. DAN “The use of a checklist to assist in this ritual is highly recommended” - Yee Hah!! The Dive: Once in the water check all equipment is secure and in place, then dive the plan.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 16:44:14 +0000
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