Martin Burnard(Offline)

Oh how we learn!

Last night saw me taking part on my usual Seasearch dive. So as usual ropes off at 6pm and away we go.

Now the normal procedure is that we have no set destination until we set off. We leave it to the last moment so as we can chat to the other dive boats and get the heads up on viz, weather etc. Then based on the experience and days activity of those on board we make a judgement call on the destination. Hence we can almost gaurantee a dive will take place.

This weeks call was a little different, we had an experienced group on board but 3 of them had done 2 dives already to 30m and 24m, so their call was not too deep please, another call was for a nudibranch hunt, another call was to do a wreck, hence a bit of a spread, and thats where the Scylla comes in.... it fitted all requests. Those not wishing to go too deep could stay on the upper decks, nudibranchs abound, and its a wreck.

The report was that the swell was a little high but not too high. So off we went.

The trip out was fine, we all kit up and in we go.

So Trotski and I descend the line with a plan to do a penetration near the bow (essentially a swim through), nose around slowly, then out descend to the bottom, do a treasure hunt to see what we cold find after the bank holiday, make some notes on the life around and ascend. Simple.

Well on entering the water we found we were in a heavy plankton bloom and viz was about 2m, also the current was steaming along! We did a bubble check on the way down (all OK), landed on the bow and dropped down the port side to get into the lee.

Now penetration first, the first entry point was a no go because the first tie off point for a line was 1m inside, and the plankton bloom was blocking out so much light that it was actually pitch black. So on to the next one with an external point to tie off, good!. Ahh the velcro on my new pocket (which contained the spool) was so velcroeee (made up word) I had to struggle to get it open, but success came eventually. I tied off the line, checked all was OK and in we went, now remember we are going against the current this way, and finning of any form had to be assisted with pulling, viz even with 10w HID was about 2m (I know what were we doing?), but we persisted. 12m or so saw us appear the other side of the Scylla and line tied off about every 2m. Now turn around and go back through, Trotski keeping one hand looped around the line and me following close behind reeling the line in as we go.

PROBLEM
I am snagged buy my primary hose, just by my right shoulder.

signal Trotski, and this is when the brain engages (a bit late!) so I try to back up (hmm very strong current), cann't I am snagged tight, I can roll just far enough to see the snag in the corner of my mask but it proves impossible to reach, the passage is shoulder wide, I try ascending a little (no can do, I am snagged) try descending (no can do). Mean while Trotski has realised (as I had) that it is too tight for him to turn (remember shoulder width), so Trotski signals he is going out and coming back in (the joys of a regular buddy.. you understand impromptu signals!). This he does and realeases the snag (a hook only just wide enough for a hose to squeeze into!).

Now he has to back out.. so I am watching him to make sure he doesn't snag, whilst he is watching me. Out we pop like a champagne cork!

Problem over

We check our gas consumption (Trotski had gobbled lots!), so a quick exchange of OK, big smiles, a tour of the bottom, and ascend!

Draw your own lessons if any from this, we learned alot!

Rob Dobson(Offline)

Not a nice moment! Glad to hear that a potential incident was taken in your stride mate - nice one.