| Salute !
Hi
I've only had a 60 second panic attack myself in zero viz at 26 mtrs. It was brought on by exertion and co2 build up. There was no immediate danger to me but logic became an alien concept during that minute and this stone-cold-usually-diamond-hard-analytical machine was absolutly TERRIFIED !
This is an old thread but I would just like to congratulate you and your buddy on recounting this life-defining moment for us in such an unassuming manner. I always maintain that bravery is when someone does something in the near-certainty of failure ( jumping out of a plane ain't brave if you are sure you'r chute will open ) so your ability to get a grip when all your mind wanted to do was curl up into a ball of denial is simply one of the gutsiest things I have read in a long time. Bravo.
As you say, we all have to live with our own demons but for what it's worth I think you made the right decision re the deco stop; I can't think what difference possibly jeopardising your own life and initiating an emergency situation on-board would have made. It's to your moral credit that this choice even troubles your consience now.
I'd buddy you anytime !
Chris |