Something that could have prevented.

[Reel Cracker]

http://www.sptimes.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/APState.woa/wa/story?id=FL_Diver_Killed

[LuvMyRedDog]

Seems like all he had to do was ditch his belt. Am I missing something? Panic set in?

[zds3488]

WTF?? arent weight belts adjustable and easy to get off in a hurry

[Chad Carney]

After rereading the story it's possible the diver never left the water. You don't hand your gear up if you have already exited the water. Newspaper writers don't usually know how to describe a divers behavior. He may have slipped under the water, or he may have fallen back in while climbing out, whatever... we'll never really know.

It read "After handing most of his equipment to Silver on Sunday, Zobel slipped into the water still wearing his weight belt and was carried 25 feet away by the current, BSO spokesman Hugh Graf said."

Sounds like he took off his fins, and BC and left his weight belt on. Bad move, especially if over weighted. The weight belt should have been the first thing off.

Unfortunately many people freak when hit with a wave in the face or just the realization they have no kicking power anymore. Once that happens they may never even try to remove the belt. It's not instinctive and rarely ever practiced as a safety technique after certification. Diaphram contractions when panicking often cause the buckle to slide to one side or the back also.

The most important thing is to be aware that a weight belt is a real danger if not removed before removing the BC and fins.
(You don't restain yourself, leaving your seat belt on, in a car when you're not driving. And you don't park on railroad tracks either.)

One of the things that should be taught is to always enter the water fully dressed, (Neil Armstrong stepped out of the casule fully suited up!), and where possible get out of the water with as much of your gear on as you can. Just passing gear at the platform is dicey.

Chad Carney

[cbulla]

Right on Chad.. sort of sums it right up. When I heard of this yesterday my first thought was that panic set in, and from that point it was an uphill struggle.

[KRISISREADY]

sounds to me like
the man in the story was not very familiar
with his gear

i think that the number one safty rule that
people forget
be familiar with your gear
lear to get in on and off
in all conditions

[SemorBugs]

Fellow Spearchuckers
I am deeply saddened to hear of yet another fellow Florida diver making their final dive. Let's not pass judgement, we don't know the whole story. Instead, let us commit to not becoming the next tragedy reported. I would encourage everyone on the board to take a refresher class if you have not been involved in training lately and relearn basic watermanship skills for your safety and others. A good question to ask yourself is, do I know how to properly perform a BC Removal and Replacement, Bouyant vs Nonbouyant ESA, Regulatory Recovery or Rescue? There have been many recent articles circulating the Professional world as to the need for Scuba Certs to have expiration dates. I am not going to express my opion to this issue, as to it would be improper to, instead I would ask that you ask yourself do you fit the need?
God Speed to our lost buddy.

[junior]

I have always hated taking my fins off before I get out of the water. On my boat I pass up the weight belt and then carefully make it up the ladder with the fins still in place. Sorry to hear that another fellow diver has been lost:(

[Steel Shootin']

I wear a weight belt and a few times, normally in heavy seas, I have been pushed away from the boat when the only thing left on is a weight belt. You realize quickly that it's not a good situation, but since I very rarely have more then 6 pounds on it's wasn't tough to get back to the transom. I can see where if you have more weight it could get ugly. Frankly, I rarely hand my weight-belt up because it's so easy for me to kick myself up to the swim platform still wearing it. I may re-think that and start handing it off more frequently.

[SemorBugs]

Scott,
Thanks for your comments to this thread .. And I guess the Board as i assume you are the creator. You said it best, Rethinking is key!!!! We can only learn when we give an idea value. Wow. So often, I see complacentcy amongst those I dive with. As a dive leader I am always trying to learn and pass on safe diving pactices. I would postulate this question. Is being Open Water certified in the past is enough. Remember almost all the agencies and the RSC recommend newbies stay in less than 60fsw. {Chucking the Almighty Spear makes us true hunters to our past} I really enjoy the commradery of the board and the board seems like the perfect outlet for ideas. What pretell should be next?

[Steel Shootin']

Hey Semore. Yes, re-evaluating ideas falls into two catagories for us here:

1. How do I become a better shooter; and
2. How do I become a better diver.

A mistake, especially for someone totally fixated on shooting, is to give all the attention to just shooting. The better shooters I have been around are also very good divers. Work on #2 first, and then #1. I hope spearboard aids in both areas.

What next? Hmmm, look for Spearboard Open announcements with major format changes.

[Lou Rector]

Years ago I lost a diver on a commercial trip in the keys- easy dive- airline pilot, 34, big, strong experianced guy, got to him on the surface-struggling-panicing. 3hrs CPR-same shit with the CG. We went throu all the stuff (read shit). Here,s what we learned......NO Matter Who of us INHALES a big ol' breath of H2O, we're in big trouble, instant loss of control. That's why we don't teach buddy breathing now- thats the reason for the o-pus, KEEP PANIC AT A DISTANT. I still see his eyes and I teach solo diving now. My guess, the cause - THAT BREATH

[SemorBugs]

Scott,
BRAVO Thanks for the response. There is no shame in being honest with yourself and admitting that I don't remember everything from my Certification training. Your local hang out will be happy to offer a refresher class if you don't know what ATA's are? Break out of the I know everything attitude and listen. I am now steppin down from the Pulpit. Thanks to everyone that makes the Spearboard so cool that i choose it first. See you at the bottom sucker!!!!