[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

Great post.

For the sake of any one who ever gets them selves in this situation. Always have a spool with you and before trying to search for an exit tie it off somewhere at your starting point then tie into a second location close to the first. This will give you a directional reference. Then go search using memory of the wreck if possible but if not then use something tangible like a bulkhead on one side.

You have to make a plan.

For example: Did you enter from the top or the side? if the top go to the ceiling to start your search.

If you are 100% convinced you have gone way past your original entry point best thing is to try another 4-5m because 10m feels like 100 in a silt out.

If still no joy return to your start point and search again with another tangible reference. Use your double tie to guide you in a different direction to the first search.

If lost like this minutes feel like hours and inches feel like feet in terms of distance traveled. If your aware of this then it can help reduce the stress.

The good divers will tell you, you should never enter an area out of the daylight zone without laying a line. This is absolutely correct. However in the world of Merphys law even the most simple swim through can accidentally end up as a problem. Whilst its understandable (but still wrong) to have not laid a line, it is totaly unforgivable not to have a search spool.


ATB

Mark

Really good advice Mark....I would add that this is *flippin* difficult to do in an emulated situation so not the sort of thing you could perform easily in the mire .... in other words get appropriate training on how to penetrate overheads.

Nick .... great story and thanks for sharing the experience

Mal