Maybe a new diver is actually reallllly old...

[jimgiddings]

For the most part I love a newly certified diver. They have not started any bad habits (yet) and are still very responsive and education-able.

Ok, the guy I went diving with was actually certifiied in Israel in 1985. And has not been diving since.

Let me back up a second...I was a newly PADI certified Divemaster in Seattle WA and I was setting up a fun dive at a popular dive site. Fund dives are a way in which anewly certified diver can get his fins wet and go diving under the supervision of a PADI Divemaster or Instructor. (read: insurance).

And so, before the dive I got a call from a New York guy who was visiting Seattle for a few days and really wanted to go diving. So he calls me, we figure out the logistics, and basically he meets me at this dive site for a fun dive, along with 2 other (newly) certified divers...

Warning number one...the guy doesnt understand how "these new BC's work" and after setting up his kit proceeds to inflate and deflate with the power inflator button about 5 times. I tell him, " I'll go ahead and buddy with you" since I know I'm in for "the New Guy syndrome" during our underwater foray...

We start our dive, all the other divers are doing A-OK, nice and relaxed as far as I can tell.

And my "new" buddy and I start our dive. He's figiting with his BC a LOT.
Warning sign no. 2.

We swim around in 38 feet of salt water, ok this is 11 meters? and he proceeds to cork to the surface about 3 times....each time I tried to arrest the free ascent...and it wouldnt work. This is maybe a 30 minute dive?

At this point I'm thinking...well, at least it's a shallow dive, and he MIGHT have some embolism at most, ouch! but not a BONAFIDE total and complete DCS hit.

So after cork number three, and warning number 6 or 7 I bag the dive. I tell him on the surface to go ahead and swim for shore...and thank God he does listen at this point.

Back on shore, once we peel off our gear and I reflect a bit, I realize I should have never even starting diving with this guy. He was fine in the end but I feel like we were just lucky...thats all.

And let's face it...LUCK is no way to dive.

My long winded point is- feel free to bag a dive if it doesnt feel right - if you feel like wait a second, my buddy is NOT up to the task at hand. Just go to Starbucks instead.

Ok, getting off my soapbox now.

Jim

[purple vonny]

I think someone who has not dived since 1985 needs to completely re-train and as a DM you should have insited that he at least do a very thorough scuba review. PADI would have wooped your ass if he killed himself and you knew his history. SHOOTING TO THE SURFACE FROM 11 METRES CAN CERTAINLY KILL YOU IF YOU BUST A LUNG.

[B]

I thought PADI guidelines are quite strict on the scuba review.. no diving for 6 months and you are due a review..

I would never have taken someone out who does not even understand how a BCD works.. I am training DM at the moment and that would just scare me.. after all, if I have to come to the surface with him repeatedly from 11m's that would possibly be me gone and he might be ok.. no way, too risky, off to the pool mate and learn all about scuba and BCDs again would be my advice..

B x

[GLOC]

Jim, thanks for posting this.

Maybe the lessons learned should be for the 'old diver' too as well as yourself.

You knew afterwards what you should have done, and 20:20 hindsight is great, therefore thanks for highlighting the potential issues if you haven't dived for some considerable time.

I know that I dived in South Africa in 8-10m after I hadn't dived for 4 years and they didn't ask for any cert cards from any in the group! Bit daft, but when you only 5 dives under your belt, you sometimes think that you are invincible!

[Lazlo]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

I think someone who has not dived since 1985 needs to completely re-train and as a DM you should have insited that he at least do a very thorough scuba review. PADI would have wooped your ass if he killed himself and you knew his history. SHOOTING TO THE SURFACE FROM 11 METRES CAN CERTAINLY KILL YOU IF YOU BUST A LUNG.

Just a thought: 38 ft is within the 12m allowed for DSDs - which PADI do not require any previous OW experience for. Naturally though, all pros will take repsonsibility for their judgements (such as: should the person be diving at all).

Thanks for posting Jim. Very useful. A good warning to those of us who have to take responsibility for the unskilled. And also maybe a lesson for those who haven't dived for a while.

[MarkP]

Originally Posted by B

I thought PADI guidelines are quite strict on the scuba review.. no diving for 6 months and you are due a review...

I think it's more of a CYA guidline for both dive centres and once per year holiday divers. It's not a blue bold thing anywhere.

Regards,

Mark

[purple vonny]

Originally Posted by Lazlo

Just a thought: 38 ft is within the 12m allowed for DSDs - which PADI do not require any previous OW experience for. Naturally though, all pros will take repsonsibility for their judgements (such as: should the person be diving at all).

.

DMs (trained in DSD) are allowed to take Discover Scubas to 6 metres.

Only instructors can take DSDs on an optional open water dive to 12 metres.
Before they are allowed to go to 12 metres, DSDs must must have practiced a number of skills in shallow water first.

(pedant mode off).

[Lazlo]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

DMs (trained in DSD) are allowed to take Discover Scubas to 6 metres.

Only instructors can take DSDs on an optional open water dive to 12 metres.
Before they are allowed to go to 12 metres, DSDs must must have practiced a number of skills in shallow water first.

(pedant mode off).

Oooh - good point! I'm off to read up on DSDs again....

[uwila]

Thanks for posting - this could happen to anyone diving with a buddy who's a bit (lot) rusty. I am embarrassed to admit that I got caught out in a similar situation, except that it was flying instruction and not diving and I got my @rse thoroughly reamed afterwards.

As far as PADI are concerned, if it's not a teaching course, they have no comment to make.

[StephenT]

firstly : i disagree with any of this "discover scuba crap" if you aren't prepared to spend (only 3/4 days man) the time to learn to qualify then don't bother. Maybe a try dive in a pool is acceptable, not in the sea.

secondly : scuba reviews? what the heck are they. If you don't drive a car for 5 years you are still allowed to drive, what's the difference between driving and scuba? as with driving you ease yourself back in gently....