Frozen with Fear
December 31st, 2008
The sudden chill surprised Alex when he began his short descent to the shallow bottom. His new drysuit should’ve been much warmer. He attempted to inflate the suit with the button on his chest, but he couldn’t feel the rush of insulating air. The cold continued to spread across his body, and the suit grew tighter around his limbs and chest as his buoyancy decreased and he sank deeper. When he turned to signal his buddy, Alex received another surprise: His buddy was out of sight. Alex knew he had to go up. He struggled to ascend now, forcefully holding down the button on his dry suit valve, but still no air came in, just a sickening, slow trickle of ice-cold water. His breathing accelerated, his air supply dropped and his limbs grew stiff as he drifted toward the bottom.
The Diver
Alex was a relatively new diver with only a handful of dives under his belt. He was in his 30s, in excellent health and showed a lot of enthusiasm for his new sport. He had only dived in a drysuit a few times before, under the supervision of an instructor. This was Alex’s first time independently diving dry.
The Dive
Alex geared up with his buddy as they listened to the dive briefing, and then the two entered the water together. At the surface, the water was warmed by the sun to about 70 degrees, but the thermocline was shallow, at about seven or eight feet, and below it, the temperature dropped to the high 30s–definitely drysuit conditions. Visibility was average for the site, about 20 feet. The surface was calm with small, gentle swells, and a mild current was present as they descended toward their target depth of around 25 feet for their shallow dive along a coastal jetty.
The Accident
As he descended, Alex noticed the cold and puzzled over his drysuit’s inability to keep him warm. He repeatedly pressed the inflate valve, but it took several minutes before he realized no air was entering his suit. In fact, the drysuit’s low-pressure inflator hose wasn’t even connected. Without the buoyancy from the inflated drysuit, Alex struggled to gain control of his descent. Dealing with these problems distracted him for several minutes, and by the time he turned to ask his buddy for help, he was shocked to find he was all alone. This increased his anxiety even more as he kicked in vain for the surface, but with his drysuit fully compressed next to his body, Alex was extremely negative and unable to ascend. Alex was most likely disoriented and possibly hypothermic by this time, but whatever the reason, he failed to add air to his BC or drop his weights. Alex’s dive buddy had ascended within a few minutes of starting the dive, shortly after the two became separated, thinking Alex would meet him at the surface. When Alex didn’t come up, a search was rapidly organized, but unfortunately, it was too late. Alex was found drowned on the bottom in only 23 feet of water.
Analysis
The risks of diving in cold water should never be underestimated. In extremely cold water, with temperatures approaching freezing, the impact on the body is immediate. It reduces finger dexterity almost instantly and can impact coordination very rapidly after that. In just a few minutes, without proper protection, the body can become hypothermic. One of the first signs of hypothermia is difficulty focusing and an inability to solve problems rationally. To prepare for dives in these types of conditions, divers should overtrain in more moderate conditions to make every skill and every emergency procedure an effortless second reflex. Alex had not prepared himself to that level, especially with regard to his drysuit.
Even equipment as common as a drysuit requires additional training, additional experience and additional predive safety checks for safe use. Add an extreme diving environment, and these procedures become critically important. A drysuit works by providing an insulating layer of air between the diver and the suit. This space is typically filled with heavy underwear of some sort, but the air space is necessary because the undergarment would be crushed flat next to the diver’s body without it and a flat or compressed piece of material has very little insulating power. To inflate a drysuit, a diver has to press a valve button, usually located on the chest of the suit, that’s connected to the tank via a low-pressure inflator hose. Like a BC’s inflator hose, the drysuit hose connects to the suit valve with a slip-coupling device. Drysuit divers should check this connection and the operation of the valve before entering the water on every dive, and the dry diver’s buddy should check the connection and operation of the valve during the predive buddy check. Alex was a new diver with very little drysuit experience, and he apparently missed this vital safety check because the hose was either never connected at all, or it was not connected securely and came undone as he entered the water. This hose can be hooked up underwater. However, this can be awkward, especially in very cold water with heavy gloves or mittens, so it is necessary for drysuit divers to practice this skill in advance. Because drysuits are filled with air, dry divers also tend to wear more weight than wetsuit divers, often distributed across the body, and it is vitally important to be trained in dumping this weight.
Alex apparently failed to practice any of these procedures in advance and as a result, he was unable to respond to the actual emergency when he entered the water. He never inflated his BC, which worked properly upon later inspection, and he never dumped the considerable amount of weight he was wearing. Either of these procedures would have brought him immediately to the surface where his waiting buddy or the other divers at the site could have assisted him.
Lessons For Life
Extremes of any type will accelerate the effects of any problem, sometimes with disastrous results.
on a dive that pushes your comfort zone.
Rehearse basic diving skills until they become second nature. And pay special attention to emergency procedures–the skills you use least are the ones you should practice most.
Check that all hoses are connected and working, note the location of weights and how to ditch them and discuss emergency procedures and the locations of alternate air sources.
Especially in stressful situations, it’s vital to keep a frequent check on your buddy’s position.
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Thailand - A scuba Diving Haven
December 30th, 2008
Monday, 29 December 2008
Thailand has a warm climate with the months between October and April being the best time to visit the country. The waters around Thailand at this time of year are ideal for scuba diving. The rainy season falls outside his window.
Phuket Scuba Diving
Phuket, being the largest island in Thailand is abundant with underwater life which includes reefs, wrecks and underwater volcanoes. Not only do hundreds of different species of fish reside in its waters but also rare turtles, dolphins, whales and sharks. Phuket is accessible by way of plane through major Asian and European destinations including Australia. Phuket offers everything a scuba diver dreams of with dive sites and destinations that include the Similan Islands, Shark Point, King Cruiser Wreck and the Andaman Wreck.
Hin Mouang Scuba Diving
Famous for its pelagic fish, Hin Mouang is one of the more famous diving destinations in Thailand. Breathtaking and simply magnificent are just a few words to describe the underwater peaks, large fish shoals, pretty carpets of anemone, gigantic corals, gorgonians and other extravagant sights that call this place home.
Hin Daeng
With close proximity to Hin Mouang, this place is another totally unique site that Thailand has to offer. Common features of the waters in Hin Daeng include morays, octopi, shrimps, crayfish, gray reef sharks, leopard sharks, and barracudas with the occasional sightings of manta rays, whale sharks and nurse sharks.
Koh Kraden Wreck Diving
A dive site off Koh Kraden Islands coast. Famous because of a sunken Japanese destroyer, this wreak has become a breeding ground for flora and fauna. Sea horses, giant morays, soft corals, lion fish and great schools of fish are also present here during any scuba dive.
Diving Koh Dok Mai
Koh Dok Mai is another dive location well known for night cave diving. Sea urchins like lobsters, moray eels, leopard sharks, sea snakes are known to inhabit this dive site. A great place for a different diving experience.
Dive Thailand is one of the best scuba diving destinations as it has a lot to offer. You will not be disappointed if you are considering going there for your next trip. You will be sure to have an extraordinary time with many memories. - 2275
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New Scuba Technology
December 30th, 2008
| A low-cost training course has been launched that gives seafarers and marine workers the ability to access the underside of their vessel in an emergency. Shallow water scuba diving technology is now available as a solution that can permit emergency inspections and minor repairs to be performed by trained crew using Mini B scuba gear. This can be for personal use or in compliance with relevant health and safety regulations. |
| Intended for use at depths of less than 9 metres, Mini B systems have been designed in the UK to be kept available for immediate use and to enable the wearer to enter the water with sufficient diving time to perform basic tasks.
Although seafarers can reach the top of the highest mast and the most distant piece of superstructure, the underside of any vessel has traditionally remained inaccessible. Fouled propellors or fishing gear, blocked hull openings or damaged steering are some of the many incidents that can render a vessel helpless when far from port and the support of professional divers. A new Mini B training course has consequently been launched in the UK and is about to be introduced in the United States. It enables marine workers and crew members to gain all of the know-how and experience needed to scuba dive safely to depths of 9 metres using the advanced Mini B system. Because of the depth restriction, shallow water scuba diving is safer and easier to learn than conventional open-water diving. It cannot, however, replace the support provided by professional contract divers whose capabilities far exceed those of any Mini B diver. It can, however, be used as a last resort if professional divers are unavailable and it might enable a crew to overcome a difficult situation on their own. The new Mini B training courses were launched at the beginning of December and are provided by a network of instructors throughout the United Kingdom. A similar network is now close to completion in the United States so that every Mini B scuba gear sales outlet is able to refer customers to a suitable instructor. The Mini B product range includes the C-Pro model that has been designed specifically for seafarers and boat owners so that it is available for instant use. It consists of a compact and hardwearing cordura back pack that neatly contains all of its components stored fully assembled and ready for use. The C-Pro features its own buoyancy, which is a vital safety feature and uses a five-litre air cylinder that is positioned at right angles across the wearer’s back for superior stability. Shallow water scuba diving is also a fast-growing new water sport that is attracting enthusiasts around the world. It is the first type of diving to acknowledge that many people prefer to dive only in shallow water which is warmer, brighter and has more abundant sea life. The new Mini B training course recognises this and teaches students everything they need to know for this less hostile environment. The courses are consequently less time consuming and expensive than those needed for more advanced forms of diving. |
To view this article: http://hydro-international.com/news/id2881-New_Scuba_Technology.html
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All About My Scuba Diving Experience
December 30th, 2008
Scuba diving is a great way to experience the underwater kingdom. It gives you the chance to unveil the mysteries and the wonders of the environment which covers the majority of our planet. It is believed that once you learn all about scuba diving, it will become a lifelong obsession. After I had a private lesson, it is time to take an exam for an open water dive certificate. My exam took place in Boracay Island. Boracay is a famous tourist destination. With its white sandy beaches and blue clear water, it is considered a paradise island. Many wonderful and interesting marine lives can also be found in the dive sites. The marine life is very diversified that a diver will definitely enjoy and love diving in.
During my first dive experience I was really excited but a bit nervous. I really tried hard not panic as I and my instructor went deeper and deeper underwater. This is my chance to overcome my fear. It was not long I felt comfortable. It was really a great experience, seeing the beauty of sea wildlife because of the presence of many varieties of reef fish, with Lagoon Rays and moray eels. It was totally a different world. It is so quite. For me, it is a total relaxation.
Another diving experience that was unforgettable in my lifetime was when I scuba dive in Tulum, Mexico. Tulum offers some of the best reef diving and snorkeling in the Mayan Riviera, together with exciting and cave diving. Around Tulum you will have access to many freshwater caverns known as cenotes, part of an ancient underwater river system running from the deep jungle to the sea throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. A combination of various geological events and climate changes created an incredible and unique ecosystem in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. I am positive that you will not be disappointed with your scuba diving experience in Tulum.
Several things I appreciate about my visit in Tulum are the not so crowded beaches, its white, sugar-like sand and turquoise blue water, and their rustic cabanas. These cabanas are quite unique Tulum accommodations. This place is not for you if you’re looking for luxuries. But since we visited as a group we opted to rent a Tulum beach house.
I am really eager to experience more in scuba diving, to widen my knowledge and explore more.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mattie_Ven |
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Australasia Scuba Diver Shoot Out
December 30th, 2008
This was the third digital shoot out to be held at Kungkungan and the quality of the pictures this year was amazing. Special mention to our three category winners, Ronny Rengkung, David Henshaw and Indra Wonowidjojo. Also a big thank you to the amazing spotting ability of the dive guides at KBR.
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Community Service Awarded
December 30th, 2008
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart recently honored two students at Brother Rice High School in Chicago with the Sheriff’s Youth Service Medal of Honor.
The award is given to young people throughout Cook County who contributed at least 100 hours of volunteer service to their communities.
Brother Rice senior Kendall West, of Beverly, completed more than 100 hours of volunteer service at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park.
Junior Joe Alfano, of Beverly, served his 100 hours of service at three different locations.
First, Alfano volunteered 55 hours at Smith Village Nursing Home where he visited residents.
Then he spent his spring break in Mexico and volunteered 18 hours helping at a school in a small rural town.
Finally, over the summer, Alfano went to Australia and spent 30 hours helping marine biologists doing research on the Minke whale. Alfano, a certified scuba diver, observed the whales from 60 feet under water.
To view article: http://www.southtownstar.com/neighborhoodstar/oaklawn/1350650,122808dartaward.article
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Adirondack shipwreck site makes National Register
December 30th, 2008
LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. - The wreck of one of the first gasoline-powered excursion boats in the Adirondacks has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Forward lies in 40 feet of water near an island on the southern end of Lake George, 50 miles north of Albany.
The 45-foot-long boat was built in 1906 and featured two 30-horsepower engines. It was intentionally sunk in 1930 and discovered by amateur scuba divers in the 1970s.
Bateaux (ba-TOH’) Below, a group of underwater shipwreck preservationists, made the Forward part of a state-administered underwater diving park in Lake George that includes the wrecks of several French and Indian War vessels.
To view the article: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny–shipwreck-nationa1230dec30,0,6764142.story
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Scuba diver plans to dive into Bay of Bengal
December 30th, 2008
To explore and study the mysterious details of the sunken ship, Sabir Bux is scheduled to visit Kendrapara on December 30. He holds a rescue diver card issued by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) of the UK, besides the professional license, certificate for open water, advance open water, underwater photography and videography, search and recovery and Medic First Aid.
The then collector of Cuttack, John Beames, who served as collector and district magistrate in Balesore from 1869 to 1873 and in Cuttack from 1875 to 1878, in his autobiography, ‘Memories of a Bengal Civilian’ has described about the sunken ship, which is of about 250-feet-long whereas its width is about 50 feet.
As per the description made by John Beames in his autobiography, the French cargo ship, ‘Veleda’ sunk in a cyclone, which occurred in the Bay of Bengal in the year 1875 near Hukitola about 35 km from Kendrapara coast. The ship, which was sunk, was carrying foodgrains, sugar, liquor, wine and other goods from Paris to India. Some crew members of the ship were also drowned due to the storm and their bodies were buried in a cemetery behind the lighthouse.
During the long history of shipping worldwide, most of the countries have lost hundreds of ships and the sea has devoured several ports due to erosion and wrath of nature. According to Bux, the ships and the ports, which have succumbed to the sea, give a vivid picture of history of trade in the past. Each and every sunken ship and port is a treasure trove for the researchers for which the ships and the ports which have found their watery grave should be preserved for posterity through systematic excavation.
According to Bux, the ship which was sunk about 133-years ago should be preserved under the project of Unesco’s ‘Underwater Cultural Heritage’. As Unesco, under its project ‘Underwater Cultural Heritage’ seeks to protect sunken ships which have been lost, jettisoned or abandoned, and are at the bottom of the sea for at least 100 years
The marine records of the National Archives, Delhi and other records in many museums and libraries furnish valuable information on ship lost in storms and naval battles during the 16th- 19th, century. But some of the ships, which were lost, had not been recorded at all, informed Satyaranjan Sahu, the scientist of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa.
French ship ‘Veleda’ is older than ‘Titanic’. The ‘Titanic’ was built in 1912 in UK and sunk on 14th, April 1912 carrying 2200 passengers, in the most infamous marine disaster. After 73 years a joint US-French team located and photographed the wreckage of ‘Titanic’ in 1985.
But few people know about this sunken ship which can also attract many tourists, if it is conserved for posterity, claimed Bux.
Sabir Bux said that in order to get more information of a sunken ship of Second World War period and to find more details he dived into the sea near Chatrapur of Ganjam district atleast three times in recent past. “Recently I dived on the sea on December 12-16th month to get more information of the sunken ship at Chatrapur”, he said. “I have done underwater surface photography of SYNCROLIFT at Yanbo seaport, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have been involved in various activities to clean up the Red Sea reefs. I have also conducted underwater photography of Chilika Lake in Orissa for its database, celebrated a birthday underwater in Red Sea off the northern coast of Jeddah, participated in the Aquatic World Awareness, Responsibility and Education (AWARE) programme, and also performed at the Melodic Meet ’98, organised by the Bahrain Disabled Sports Committee, in association with Kerala Arts & Cultural Association (KACA) at Al Andalus Garden”, added Bux.
To view complete article: http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=154624
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Atlantis Divers Video
December 29th, 2008
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New Year’s Day Dive
December 28th, 2008
Don’t let your first dive of the New Year be in COLD water!!! Come join us in Hatteras on New Years’ Day, 2009 for a two tank Gulf Stream Dive on the Proteus/Dixie Arrow for only $125 per diver.
The buoy temperatures are registering between 68 and 76 degrees! Call today and register!! Spaces are limited.
Atlantis Divers 804/320-7000
“On March 26, 1942, the Dixie Arrow was traveling unarmed and alone, approaching Cape Hatteras, enroute from Texas City, TX to Paulsboro, NJ with 96,000 barrels of crude oil. The U-71 had spent the night waiting near the Diamond Shoals Light Buoy hoping to intercept targets. With the breaking dawn, the u-boat captain, KK Walter Flascheenberg, was about the order his boat to the bottom when he spotted the masts of the approaching tanker on the horizon. He manuevered his boat against the zig-zag course of the Dixie Arrow trying to get the tanker between the U-71 and shore.”
“At 0858 EWT, 3 torpedoes slammed into the starboard side of the Dixie Arrow and in less than 1 minute the tanker was mortally wounded and engulfed in flames. The first torpedo hit at the midship deckhouse, destroying it and killing most of the deck officers. 60 seconds later the 2nd and 3rd torpedoes hit just aft of the deckhouse and cracked the tanker in two.”For more information on the Dixie Arrow, visit: http://www.nc-wreckdiving.com/WRECKS/DIXIE/DIXIE.HTML
