Recovering Evidence at Depth

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by Dr. Thomas W. Powell:2 PS Divers recovering evidence

Evidence recovery is a primary function for almost all public safety dive teams in the United States. Team members often hope to be available to perform rescues or bring closure to families, but in truth, dive teams are frequently called in to look for evidence that may assist in a legal case. In many of these cases, law enforcement personnel have exhausted all other options and require a sub-surface team to search where others cannot. Essentially, a dive teams’ skills in regards to sub-surface evidence collection may be responsible for solving a case, or conversely, letting it slip through a detectives fingers.

Law enforcement officers are trained to handle evidence, and follow chain-of-evidence custody procedures to ensure any recovered items are handled in a manner that may allow those items to be admissible in a court room. The reality is that many dive teams are not made up of law enforcement personnel. In recent years, Emergency Response Diving International (ERDI) has made an effort to develop classes designed to better train public safety divers to follow chain-of-evidence protocols, and ensure proper evidence collection procedures. These efforts are apparent within courses such as the Underwater Crime Scene Investigation program. The objective of these types of courses is to train any public safety diver to document and handle evidence in a manner that follows standards required by law enforcement personnel and/or crime scene investigators.

Evidence collection is a process that can be time consuming and task heavy. First, team leaders and tenders must monitor dive times, gas consumption, and diver safety. Divers must be prepared to find, mark, and document any item. The location of an item must be mapped and documented, and any evidentiary photos or videos must be recorded. These actions take time, and can cause a diver to expend gas and energy. These levels of expenditure can create dangerous situations, which further demand attention from leadership and support personnel in regards to monitoring the safety of any sub-surface team member.

Deep diving brings complications into the process of evidence collection and recovery. Deeper depths and the possibility of more dangerous environments further reduce dive times. Similarly, gas may be consumed at a higher rate and physical exertion may increase due to mental distress or the potential effects of deeper water. Dive team leaders must plan and train for scenarios such as this, especially if the dive team is willing to take on any mission regarding evidence collection at deeper depths.

Dive team operating procedures must be developed for different types of missions at various depths. Essentially, if a diver consumes gas at such a rate that a 20 minute dive at 25 feet allows for enough remaining gas to return to the surface, deal with any minor foreseeable issues, and undergo decontamination, that same diver must be restricted to a shorter dive at deeper depths to account for increased gas consumption. The team must also plan for back-up or secondary divers to be prepared to complete any tasks not completed by the initial diver(s). If an item must be recovered that requires a heavy-lift capability, or lift bags, the team must also plan for the extra equipment, set-up time, and controlled actions to ensure essential evidence is not destroyed in the recovery process. These actions and processes must be streamlined.

Evidence collection is a process that can be tedious, but can also provide information that otherwise would not be available. Dive teams must take the time to understand the evidence collection process, and then practice this process until actions become fluid and methodical. In many cases, one might want to involve local law enforcement crime scene investigators in training operations. Personnel of this type may even be invited to participate in an awareness-level ERDI class to better understand how a dive team performs actions underwater. Finally, teams must also recognize where problems can occur and plan out emergency scenarios. No evidence is worth the life of a diver. If a team develops standards, practices those standards, and follows the evidentiary guidelines maintained by law enforcement departments, sub-surface evidence collection can be a valuable capability maintained by any public safety diving unit.

PS Divers at depth 2 PS Divers

-Dr. Thomas Powell – Owner/Instructor Trainer at Air Hogs Scuba in Garner, NC

Funding Your Public Safety Dive Team

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Tough economic times confront all law enforcement agencies and EMS departments, but grants, private organizations and social media fundraising offer viable alternatives for budget-challenged departments.

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TEKDiveUSA 2014, If You Missed It

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by Lauren Kieren:
TEKDive USA Friday night BBQ

Hundreds of dive enthusiasts took a weekend out of the water to take part in a groundbreaking Technical Diving Conference on May 17-18, 2014 in Miami, Florida. If you missed the event, continue reading for a recap of the weekend’s highlights.

This two day conference was composed of three elements: an exhibition, a conference, and a gala awards ceremony dinner. Participants were able to meet the true dive explorers of today, pioneering dive medical professionals, outstanding dive educators, award winning photographers/videographers, equipment manufacturers, leading dive industry professionals, and more!

It all kicked off on Friday night with a barbeque dinner allowing attendees, exhibitors, and presenters the opportunity to network, rub shoulders, and get to know one another at this casual event.

We were able to spend the evening catching up with old friends, making new ones, and talking TEKDiveUSA all evening. What more could we ask for?

Waking up after an exciting night at the kickoff barbeque wasn’t easy, but knowing we were heading to some great presentations gave us the right motivation to crawl out of bed early Saturday morning.

Upon arrival at the conference center, we quickly realized what our biggest problem was going to be. We were not going to be able to attend all of the fantastic presentations being offered! We decided to divide and conquer, and try to hit as many presentations as we could. Here is a recap of some of the presentations we attended…

Cave Explorer Panel – The organizers of TEKDiveUSA put Lamar Hires, Phil Short, Josh Thornton, Andy Pitkin, Brett Hemphill, Jill Heinerth, and Brian Kakuk (all world renowned cave explorers) together to see what would happen… They did not battle it out, but there were some great discussions about what drives this diverse group to explore; how they prep for diving in remote locations with limited options, what factors they consider during an exploration dive, what extra precautions are required of this type of diving and what fuels their motivation? For some it was the desire to conduct scientific research, for others it was the desire go where no man (or woman) has gone before. For one honest individual… It was for purely “selfish” reasons – to be the first one there! We appreciated their honesty and the good laugh to start our day.

Phantom Cave Team – Deep in the desert of West Texas lays Phantom Springs Cave. A group of enthusiastic divers from varying backgrounds came together to conduct research dives, document, explore and survey this cave. This team was able to map out over 8,000 feet of the cave and due to their determination and desire for exploration; discover the deepest underwater cave system in the United States.

This presentation covered the history of the cave, challenging logistics with diving in a remote location, challenging dive conditions (silt, numerous ascent/descents, diving in zero visibility, extreme depths, equipment failures, etc.), the sediment traps installed to study water quality, and more. This group even reserved some time to mention Phantom Cave’s resident endangered pupfish… Presenters made sure to warn us NOT to step on the pupfish!

Developments in CCR Functional Safety – Kevin Juergensen (Juergensen Marine), Leon Scamahorn (Inner Space Systems), Bruce Partridge (Shearwater Research), Paul Raymaekers (rEvo), and Martin Parker (Ambient Pressure), led by moderator Randy Thornton (CCRExplorers & Dive Addicts), sat down for a panel style discussion on improvements in rebreather functional safety over the past 20 years. The discussion was informative, entertaining, and even a bit heated at times, and gave listeners a unique insight into the minds of some of the greatest rebreather designers on the planet.

DCS in Remote Locations – Technical diving expeditions are taking participants into increasingly remote locations. Formulating a plan for management of decompression sickness (DCS) in such locations can be very challenging. In particular, evacuating a diver for recompression therapy can be costly, difficult, and a potentially hazardous undertaking. In this presentation, Dr. Simon Mitchell defined “mild DCS,” and gave his thoughts on alternative methods for treatment in remote locations. He also discussed methods behind in water recompression treatments and their benefits in remote locations.

Is Helium Your Friend? – Aside from the clear benefits of helium, other differences are less well understood. It is thought that faster uptake of helium than nitrogen into the body during bounce dives results in a greater decompression obligation. Switching to air or nitrox during ascent is thought to accelerate decompression but also to risk inner-ear decompression sickness. If DCS occurs, the typical symptoms following helium-based diving are thought to be different from nitrox diving. Is any of this true? Dr. David Doolette, Research Physiologist for the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU), presented his findings and ongoing research regarding the use of helium in based breathing gasses in bounce decompression dives. This informative presentation answered many questions we’ve had relating to trimix decompression schedules, and also spurred several new questions that will only be answered with time and more research.

Mars: The Discovery of the Century – Following a life-long search, Richard Lundgren and his team discovered the shipwreck of “Mars the Magnificent,” in May of 2011. Richard delivered a presentation on the recently discovered shipwreck that was lost in battle in 1564, almost 450 years ago! Mars was a Swedish unrated warship of three deck levels and was discovered in 75m of water in the Baltic Sea between the Swedish islands of Oland and Gotland. Experts regard Mars as the missing link, as the wreck presents a unique opportunity in understanding warship design and naval battle tactic developments. The presentation took us back to the brutal naval battle of 1564, followed by guided tour of the wreck site of Mars the Magnificent, a truly extraordinary time capsule. Richard shared the ground breaking research, exploration, survey, photography, and 3D modeling techniques developed throughout this project. For more info, please visit https://www.oceandiscovery.org.

Rescue of an Unconscious Diver at Depth – Dr. Simon Mitchell presented his findings while working with the Diving Committee of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society on some of the most debated topics regarding in water rescue techniques. He was able to definitively answer some of the most common questions regarding rescuing unconscious divers from depth including:

  • Should you try to replace the regulator?
  • Should you wait until a seizure is finished before ascending?
  • What procedures should be used for a rebreather diver?
  • Should you try to complete any decompression obligations before surfacing the diver?
  • Should you try to administer in water rescue breaths? And More…

For a complete description of the findings of this research, please visit The Rubicon Foundation webpage.

Myths and Misconceptions of Thermal Stress and Physiology – Diving is carried out in a tremendous range of environments and conditions. Proper preparation can make a polar diver more comfortable than a tropical diver. Dr. Pollock discussed thermal stress, thermal protection, and implications for diving health.

Why Divers Do Stupid Things – How can very smart people often make such stupid mistakes? Leading technical diving Instructor Trainer Mark Powell answered this question in an informative, very entertaining and controversial talk. He was able to explain why smart people can make such stupid mistakes and why you are at risk of making the very same mistakes while diving. Mark has a unique way of presenting informative topics to make you think about issues in a slightly different way.

Members of RTC

Members of the RTC join for a group photo at TEKDiveUSA.2014

Believe it or not… We were able to get some “work” done over the weekend at TEKDiveUSA. On Sunday morning, May 18, 2014 – the first face-to-face meeting of the newly formed Rebreather Training Council (RTC) took place.

The members of the RTC are training organizations that offer courses in the use of rebreathers. The RTC aims to promote safety and standardization in the field of rebreather training, and the group intends to work closely with the Rebreather Education and Safety Association (RESA) to achieve these goals.

Conclusion – Overall, the conference was a huge success, extremely educational, and a lot of fun to attend. The entire weekend was an excellent opportunity for divers to further educate themselves on some of the most important topics regarding technical diving today, as well as rub shoulders with some of the industry’s top professionals and leading experts. We had a great time and we’re looking forward to TEKDiveUSA.2016!

TDI HQ crew

The TDI World HQ staff reminding everyone why we all got into diving in the first place… It’s supposed to be FUN! From left to right: Sean Harrison, Jon Kieren, Lauren Kieren, Cris Merz, and Darren Pace

“Exosuit” Diving the Antikythera Wreck

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by Phillip Short:

The Exosuit Final assembly of the first Exosuit ADS. Provided courtesy Nuytco Research Ltd.[/caption]

In my 25 years of working in the diving industry, I have had many doors open to make incredible dives with incredible teams and truly amazing people. But over the last 5 years these doors have started leading me more into the field of Scientific Diving and more importantly, the opportunity to combine my background in Technical CCR diving with scientific diving projects.

One such opportunity arose from being sent to the island of Crete, part of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea, to train a five-man team of archeologists from the Greek Ephorate of Antiquities, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, in assessing the feasibility of using CCR in their ongoing work. This course created the opportunity for me to return the following year with the team to the island of Antikythera (north of Western Crete, and south of Kythera and the Greek mainland) to survey and search the 30-plus kilometer circumference of the island for ancient wreckage and anchorage sites, and more importantly, to revisit the site of the famous Antikythera wreck.

By way of background, in the early 1900’s a group of Greek sponge divers found themselves sheltering from inclement weather under the cliffs of the east shore of Antikythera on their return from a sponge diving voyage. Like all fishermen, opportunist to the last, they decided that while anchored in shelter they may as well dive and look for sponges in this unfamiliar site. The first diver to descend the sloping sea bed at the cliff base to approximately 60 meters (on air!) in ‘Standard Dress’ (brass helmet, canvas suit, lead boots, and chest plate with air pumped in by hand from the surface) surfaced immediately stating that the sea bed was covered in bodies! The more experienced Chief Diver promptly descended to find that Diver One was half correct… the sea bed was covered in bronze and marble human and animal sculptures. An ancient wreck site had been found!

Working with members of the Greek Ephorate of Antiquities, the sponge diving team lifted many of these sculptures and other artifacts from the site, dragging large rocks (believed to have fallen from the cliffs above during earthquakes) away from the site to recover items even further beneath. These artifacts were found to be Roman and became the heart of an exhibition of the wreck in Athens. One item recovered was thought to be of little import and was left as a corroding pile of conglomerate in a museum store until it was analyzed and worked on in the 1960’s when it was found to contain multiple metal toothed gears that became known as the Antikythera Mechanism.

The site remained at rest, undisturbed until Jacques-Yves Cousteau returned to survey it as part of his series of worldwide explorations aboard the RV Calypso in the 1970’s. Any avid fan of the Cousteau documentaries (who owns the complete boxed set) can watch the team’s exploits on the Antikythera site with Calypso (the submersible ‘flying saucer’) and their water dredge, as they excavate the sea bed and recover many amphorae and other artifacts including a beautiful smaller marble sculpture.

There were tantalizing questions that still remained however: Where was the actual ship? What was the famous mechanism? Was it complete? Did parts of it remain underwater on the wreck site? And most important, were there other ‘mechanisms’ on the wreck?

divers recovering amphoraOur team went back in autumn 2012 and quickly relocated the site of the sponge divers’ and Cousteau’s discoveries. The site where Cousteau’s team dug was around a very large boulder at the base of the cliffs. Moving away from this, with the longer bottom times afforded by CCR, the clearer heads achieved with Trimix and the greater range given by state of the art DPV’s, we were able to locate a new untouched area of intact amphorae and within this area locate the large Roman two part ‘stock and collar’ anchor of the ship. After photographing, videoing, drawing and surveying the two parts in situ, the Ephorate granted permission for the team to recover the anchor. This first required Alexander Soturio and I doing 45 minutes of hard physical work at depth to chisel and cut away the concretion that had fused the anchor parts into the sea bed over its more than 2000 years of resting there. This was followed by using straps and heavy duty lift bags to send the parts back to the surface. The larger stock part was so heavy that it could not be lifted on to our dive vessel but was made fast under its lift bags and tied to the stern cleats and towed back to the quay of the Antikythera harbor to be lifted by the harbor fork lift.

The finding of the anchor enabled us to add a few extra days to the following year’s (2013) project, on the western peninsulas of Crete, and to return to Antikythera for just two days with two tasks in mind. First, to run a CCR/DPV visual survey around the location of the recovered anchor to a distance that approximated the calculated size of the wreck based on the size of the anchor; and second, to run a high detail side scan of the wreck site and the area around it using state of the art ‘Edge Tech’ sonar equipment. This brief two day return proved highly worthwhile as the CCR dive team of Alexander Soturio and I managed to locate a second smaller two part anchor, a galley roof tile, and several intact amphorae within the proposed search site and within range of the recovered anchor. The side scan survey also proved highly successful locating several large isolated objects (about the size of small cars) off the site in deep water (150-160 meters) which was extremely exciting as we learned the ‘rocks’ that were dragged from the site in the 1900’s were actually large sculptures, including some of horses.

exosuit trainingHaving just returned from Woods Hole near Boston where I completed my Exosuit pilot training with three other team members, things are now getting really exciting for our return to Antikythera in September of this year. We plan to use the Exosuit (the latest manifestation of the 1 atmosphere diving suit) to locate, rig and lift the deep water objects and to also excavate and work the heavier tasks on the original wreck site.

More information about the Exosuit here.


Deep Diving is an Experience, Not Just a Number

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by Dr. Thomas W. Powell:

photo credit: Bill Mac

In the diving world, a unique few choose to push their personal limits. This may include diving deeper, penetrating wrecks, or even diving with advanced equipment. With that being said, one may view going deeper as setting a new depth record. While some divers want to set private or universal depth records, most divers choose to go deeper for the experience. They may be seeking to discover what exists at depth, or they may want to see a wreck that sits outside of recreational diving limits. The truth of the matter is, actual depth is often not the real objective. Instead, depth is a factor the diver must understand and recognize during planning. Divers who love this sport focus on the experience, not just a number.

Despite technical diving being a complex realm, any diver can enter into it. However, one must keep in mind, factors such as the equipment, training, planning, and even price tags are different. These changes are all part of the “deep experience.” To begin, one must look at the equipment. Deep or technical divers often need more gas, bottles with mixed gas, multiple regulators, items like manifolds and doubles bands, mixed gas computers, side-slung or side-mounted cylinders, and redundancies across the board. This need for gear leads each individual diver to search for what works best for them, in regards to the most desirable items and their configuration.

Second, a diver seeking to go deeper and have more technical experiences may(should) seek out advanced training. This training introduces mixed gases, extended range capabilities, equipment configurations, as well as oxygen-based physiology and how it relates to decompression. To accomplish this training, a diver will often research what facilities and instructors he or she can best learn from. (Find a TDI Facility/Instructor here) This again, is all part of the “deep-diving experience.” Dive professionals and dive shop owners must remember that the experience does not just take place underwater. If the dive professionals involved work to provide the best possible experience, the diver will remain happy, the business may recognize more profit, and that same diver may become a loyal customer.

Third, the planning changes for the deep/technical diver when compared to recreational diving. During training, technical divers learn that emergencies may involve hard or soft ceilings. For this reason, the diver must learn how to “bail out,” or safely return to the surface using gasses carried to depth. This need requires the diver and his partner or team to develop a bailout plan for specified depths throughout the dive. If an instructor teaches the diver to be competent and comfortable in this task, the diver is more likely to enjoy it, and look forward to planning deeper dives. Again, quality and competent training will build a better diver who seeks to actively use the knowledge he or she has gained

Fourth, the price tag associated with technical diving can grow in comparison to the prices seen in recreational diving. The experience provided by instructors, boat operators, shop owners, and even other divers will make the expenditures less painful. However, if the diver develops a passion for technical diving, then the cost is justified.

Finally, technical diving skills open up a whole new world for divers. The diver can go places and see things that other divers may not have the knowledge or capability to safely see. Hidden wrecks, deeper marine life, and unique underwater formations become available for technical divers. In certain cases and with proper training, technical divers may even be able to explore places that others have never ventured. “Deep” is a factor related to technical diving, but only part of the overall experience.

Technical divers maintain a certain pride factor within their personalities. They have taken a step that few others choose to take, and for this reason, they enjoy the adventure of deeper technical dives. They also enjoy using complex planning and specified gas mixes to get to these deeper depths. Rather than just enjoying the marine life, diving becomes a complex adventure that demands close attention to detail, extensive planning, and thorough training. If the journey is positive from start to finish, the diver will get the complete experience. This “experience” is what keeps divers wet and encourages them to move forward within the world of scuba.

– Dr. Thomas W. Powell, Owner/Instructor Trainer – Air Hogs Scuba, Garner, NC

Speeding up Decompression – Tips & Tricks

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The reality is that an individual cannot reduce decompression stop times without altering a dive plan. To make decompression periods more enjoyable, a diver can find various activities to pass the time in an efficient and useful manner.

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Tips & Tricks for a Successful Drift Dive

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by Lauren Kieren:

2 drift divers

Photo Credit: Becky Kagan Schott

Drift diving is like flying underwater. When you are soaring along the bottom contour, neutrally buoyant, guided by a gentle current, watching the marine life; it gives you a perspective of the underwater world that is difficult to obtain any other way.

Depending on where you dive, Divemasters (DM’s) and dive operations may use different techniques for drift diving. In many cases, drift dives are conducted off a boat while a DM guides the direction of the dive while towing a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) to mark the divers’ location in the water. Meanwhile, a boat might be following the group to pick up divers as they surface (keep in mind, drift diving from a boat requires a skilled boat operator to conduct drift diving procedures properly).

Prior to participating in drift diving activities, you should be extremely proficient in your diving skills. If you have not participated in diving activities for a period of six months or longer, we highly encourage a diver to go through the SDI Inactive Diver Course before considering this type of advanced dive. Setting up a drift dive can be a fast paced activity that requires your diving skills and techniques to be dialed in – the ascents and descents can be challenging but once you are on the bottom… It’s your time to cruise along the ocean floor.

So what should you consider before drift diving? Here are a few tips and tricks before you hit the water:

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME – Prior to entering the water, ensure all of your dive equipment is on, functioning, and you have completed a pre-dive safety check. Make sure you are properly weighted so you can descend with the group. If you are having difficulties equalizing on the descent – signal to your buddy and be aware of the divers’ location on the bottom, and the surface marker buoy signaling your location. If conditions allow (good visibility and manageable current) slow your descent to catch up with the group. If conditions do not allow for this and you cannot catch up with the group, surface with your buddy to abort the dive.

GO WITH THE FLOW – Once you are on the bottom, it’s important to “go with the flow.” Avoid swimming against the current, as this will increase your work load and air consumption rate. Streamline yourself and your gear to glide effortlessly through the water. Keep an eye out in front of you to plan your moves accordingly. If you see obstructions ahead of you – whether it’s a coral head, a wreck, or a cluster of fishing line – it’s important to plan your moves ahead of time to avoid a collision.

SELF AWARENESS – As previously mentioned, the descents of a drift dive can be fast paced. It is extremely important during all dives (especially drift dives), to monitor your depth gauge to ensure you are staying at a consistent depth versus drifting downward or upward without realizing it. Also, keep a close eye on your no decompression limit (NDL), as you glide along the bottom your air consumption rate may be reduced due to the lack of physical exertion required during this phase of the dive. Remember, just because you have ample an amount of cylinder pressure remaining, does not mean your NDL, or bottom time hasn’t exceeded the limits. Finally, check your tank pressure early and often and make sure you will have an ample supply of breathing gas to make a slow ascent, conduct a safety stop, and safely surface with some remaining tank reserve.

surface marker buoyMAKE YOURSELF NOTICEABLE! – No, we’re not talking about wearing flashy dive gear… Prior to ascending, make sure to keep your eyes open and your ears tuned for boat traffic. If you and your buddy are surfacing before the group, ascend in sight of the SMB the DM is towing. Once at the surface, deploy your own Surface Marker Buoy, give yourself some distance from the SMB marking the divers underwater, then signal to the dive boat for pick up. If necessary, carry a whistle or audible alarm to be heard from a distance if you are not seen. When the boat makes its way towards you, stay put and do not swim towards the boat unless instructed by the boat operator.

Drift diving is a fun and exciting way to explore the underwater world, however, it can also lead to increased stress and anxiety if you are not prepared. This text is not intended to replace proper dive training, nor does it cover all aspects and requirements of drift diving. Following these tips along with proper training will ensure you get the most out of your drift diving experience.

For more information, contact your local SDI Dive Facility to sign up for the SDI Drift Diving Course.

How to Stay Out of Deco for Deep Dives

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by Dr. Thomas Powell:

deep diver by reef

photo credit: Ray Bullion

Diving is a unique sport that can capture the hearts and interests of people of all sorts. For many, the urge to go further, learn more, and in some cases go deeper, will keep divers in the water. The problem with this mindset is, some people may push too hard, or go too far out of excitement or even bravado. These factors suggest that any and all recreational divers, at any level, must remember that one of our biggest objectives is to avoid decompression requirements unless we plan for them. Venturing beyond your no decompression limit (NDL) is a risk that any diver faces if he or she does not monitor their instruments and the overall situation.

To avoid this potential life-threatening problem of passing your NDL, there are various actions a diver can take.

Learn your computer! – Almost every computer today comes with bells, whistles, and alarms to let a diver know when a problem has occurred, or when the diver is approaching a problematic scenario. There is no excuse for any diver failing to learn the proper use of his or her computer. The computer is an essential item required for all SDI/TDI/ERDI divers. When lights flash or numbers change, the diver needs to know what this information means. Learning to properly read your computer and react to what it says, will help a diver get wet the next day. Similarly, the computer will track time as the diver approaches his or her NDL. This easily recognizable data can allow a diver to avoid crossing that threshold and going into a scenario requiring decompression.

Create a game – Take the time to use the information displayed on your computer to create a game. Monitor data, set goals, set limits, or even follow display data in a manner that forces you to look at your computer or gauges every short period. This action will force you to see your display and recognize information. A task as simple as this can force a diver to see NDLs approach or problems arise.

Make a deal with your buddy to check each other – Prior to any deep dive (or any dive for that matter), a diver can establish a plan with his or her buddy to check each other’s computers or gauges every so often. This action will ensure each diver has a redundant data check periodically. As NDLs are approached, and if a diver misses this information, the buddy may recognize the issue before problems arise.

Monitor your surroundings – Computers and gauges can tell us our depth. Despite this factor, if color changes or environmental factors alter, you may have drifted a bit deeper than planned and not yet noticed on your computer. Even if you plan to dive deep, we all know that going deeper will reduce your possible bottom time and therefore, your NDL. Pay attention to where you are, and use these observations to create a mental reference to check your computer.

Map out your plan in advance – Our training teaches us to plan deep dives in advance. Prior to any dive, set a route, walk through your objectives with your buddy(ies), and plan for possible problems. If you and your buddy set limits for max depth and understand your probable route, you may be able to foresee potential problems, or recognize when your buddy deviates from the proposed plan. Understanding when and where your team should be, will help all parties associated better pre-plan for avoiding NDLs.

The goal of any dive should be to have a good time, accomplish possible objectives, and be able to dive tomorrow. When we fail to meet these goals, bad things can happen and life-threatening problems may arise. As divers and dive professionals, we need to understand our actions, and ensure safety throughout a lifetime of enjoyment, no matter how deep someone chooses to go.

Dr. Thomas Powell – Owner/Instructor Trainer (SDI/TDI/ERDI) for Air Hogs Scuba, Garner, NC

Simple Rules To Dive By

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by Rob Bradish:

trimmed diver and turtle

photo credit: Ray Bullion

Deep diving is a portion of recreational scuba diving that can present dangers and concerns for any diver. These factors can be avoided through proper technique and training. First, divers must utilize common sense and safe practices prior to getting wet.

So, let’s start off with a level set. I started diving in 1977. I was not a professional until about two years ago, and while I have traveled a fair amount, I am certainly not a once-a-year, off to the islands kind of diver. I am, for the most part, just like most of you; I like to dive. This is just my opinion and I encourage you to think on it and more importantly, develop your own response. That said, with over 35 years of diving, I have never gone into unplanned decompression, never run out of gas, and never had an incident become an accident.

I am constantly shocked at the number of divers on a boat dive that need to spend 8 – 10 minutes on the line at 20 feet during a recreational dive. Even scarier is the frequency with which I will hear someone come up the ladder with their computer beeping. When asked, they seem shocked and say something like, “I wondered what that was.” Moreover, an informal survey among charter professionals seems to indicate many of these divers are younger, some with just a few years or dives under their belt. This worries me because as I review the training and knowledgebase available to divers today, the detail is much greater than what we previously had.

So, it begs the question, why are divers today, who are better trained and have more information available than ever before, experiencing incidents that we all know, for the most part, are avoidable?

So, what are some differences between new divers and those who may have more experience? Well, right off the top, I have a few rules I dive by, many of you may have heard before.

1. Plan your dive, dive your plan. We have all heard this for years, but how many especially in our age of computers, actually do it? Most computers even have a modelling software built in to help you. But this goes way beyond anticipating your depth and runtime. In sports and high risk activities, people are taught visualization as a means of preparation. The point here is to, first, psych yourself up for a positive outcome, but more importantly, try to visually prepare and foresee any incidents before they occur. Sure, you can talk about what you hope to see and your separation plan, but do you talk about your dive time? What happens if you go to deep, or stay to long? You get the idea, sit with your buddy and talk about the dive, the goals, and the contingencies to insure you both have success and a good time.

2. Three strikes, I’m out. This is one that is personal. I have found that if I have three mini-incidents, my head can get out of the game, and the best thing for me to do is call it. This even includes driving to the charter! I have also learned for me specifically, the number one thing that can lead to an incident is new equipment or a new configuration. Not yet familiar with that new computer? Get a phone call from the boss about work on the way to the site? Can’t quite get your kit to feel right? Any of these items can take your mind out of the game, but a couple or more together, and I know I will be distracted.

3. There is no dive today worth all of my diving tomorrow. Seems simple, but I am always shocked at the number of people who are afraid to call a dive. Fifth dive of the day and you suddenly get a booming headache? Long ride out and you notice the boat bobbing more than you are used to? No matter how hard you try, you just can’t wrap your head around the dive? CALL IT! There is no dive that is more important than all my future diving. This also leads to an additional rule that tech divers frequently state. Any diver can call the dive at any time, for any reason, without fear of repercussion. Now don’t get me wrong, there will likely be some good natured razzing, but we have all called one. It makes no sense to harass someone when there mind isn’t 100% in the game! More importantly, this rule does not just apply above the waterline.

A few years ago, I was privileged to complete my cave diving certification, a section of diving which is dedicated to rules that are necessary to have a successful cave penetration dive. Now, years later, nearly every time there is a death in caves, one or more of these rules was broken, frequently by divers with a great deal of experience and practice. It is important to note however, it was likely not the broken rule or rules that lead to tragedy, but complacency that lead them to ignore the rules in the first place.

I won’t tell you that there is never a reason to run out of gas or go into unplanned decompression. I will tell you however, if you refuse to be complacent about the rules taught to you as a new diver, then the likelihood of you experiencing an incident or accident will be greatly reduced.

Rob Bradish – who refers to himself as “a recreational diver with Technical Interests,” has been diving since 1981, and crossed over to “the Dark Side” last year as an instructor with SDI/TDI. He works as an independent contractor through Air Hogs Scuba, of Garner, North Carolina and Blackbeard Scuba of Southport, North Carolina.

Drift Diver Missing at Sea

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diver drifting

photo credit: Bill Downey

I was alone. And it was all because I had stopped to take a few close-ups of a Moray. When I had looked up, my diving buddy and the rest of the diving group was long gone. We were all drifting in the same current, so I figured that the boat would be nearby when I decided to surface. Twenty feet above me, the last red rays of dusk faded, and inky darkness enveloped all but the faint glow of my dive flashlight. Below, a labyrinth of jagged coral canyons raced by as the current swept me along steadily.

The dive computer on my wrist beeped, signaling that my decompression stop was over. I reached down to turn it off, but I must have pressed the wrong button, because it kept beeping. I held it closer to my mask for a better look. And that’s when I hit the wall. Something in my shoulder popped, and then I bounced off the sharp coral several times until I lost my mask and regulator. I tried to reach back to catch my regulator, but my right arm wouldn’t move. I panicked, and all I could think about was getting to the surface, but I couldn’t see, and I couldn’t tell which way was up. I at least had the presence of mind to slowly hum to myself so that my lungs wouldn’t explode when I ascended, but doing so meant that I sank even deeper into the reef. I knew I was going to die.

In my blind terror, I searched around with my left hand for the button to fill my BC. I finally found it and filled the vest with as much air as it could hold, but it was already almost full, and I was still sinking. Even though my eyes were shut, I was starting to see stars. I knew I didn’t have long. “The weight belt,” I thought to myself… I fumbled with the release lever on my weight belt and let it drop away. I felt my descent halt, and then I started to slowly rise as my lungs screamed for air. I had no idea how far down I was, but I had run out of air. Once I knew which way was up, I started kicking frantically. I clawed my way to the roiling surface just as I was on the verge of losing consciousness, and then I almost sucked a mouthful of water as a wave hit me in the face. After a full minute of catching my breath, I started trying to get my bearings. It was dark and choppy, and the dive boat was nowhere in sight. The rest of the group would have surfaced in the last five minutes, so the boat had to be close. As I reached the top of a swell, I tried to kick higher so that I could see further, but the weight of my scuba tank made doing so difficult. We were miles offshore, and I couldn’t see lights in any direction. I had been drift diving dozens of times, but I had never been separated from my group. It started to dawn on me that the guys in the dive boat might actually not be able to find me. They would be looking for me now, and I needed some way to get their attention in the dark. I reached for my dive flashlight, only to find that I didn’t have it anymore.

My stomach sank as I realized that I had quite possibly doomed myself over a few stupid pictures. Pictures! This was my last chance. I reached back with my good arm, and sure enough, my camera was still secured to my BC and bumping against my scuba tank. I turned the camera on and held it as high over my head as I could. When I reached the top of a swell, I took a picture and let the flash go off. I did it again and again for five minutes, pausing after every flash to listen for sounds of rescue. And then the battery went dead. I stared at the camera in disbelief. It had been my only hope. Now, I was floating in the middle of nowhere, bleeding, dehydrated and alone. Every bad shark movie I’d ever seen came to mind, and I screamed in frustration. I kept screaming until my throat went raw.

I floated there, fully appreciating my situation, when I heard a voice in the wind. I thought it was my imagination at first, but I heard it again. As I reached the top of a swell, I scanned what I could see of the horizon. The dive boat was idling just 50 feet away, and it still had its flag flying to signal to other boats that there were scuba divers in the water. I flailed my arm wildly and shouted to get their attention until someone shined a flashlight in my eyes. The engine roared as they started toward me, but I kept my arm up so that they wouldn’t lose sight of me. I almost couldn’t believe it when the boat pulled up and reassuring hands caught hold of me. That was the last time I was ever going to get separated from my group on a drift diving trip.