Lalen Mendi - off Eastbourne.

[Finless]

Sunday 15th, 15:15 ropes off to dive the Lalen Mendi (sp?) with 7 other divers. Conditions were excellent APART from the fact some inconsiderate people had arranged some event in Eastbourne Marina which meant that not only were there zillions of people about (ie half a zillion cars) BUT some pillock had put up a Dodgem Car thing in the bloody car park!!! FFS!!!!

Anyway after an eight mile hike carrying my kit to the boat .... OK 400 yards ..... alright. 250 yards ....... I was ready for the off and looking forward to my 3rd dive of the year.

The wreck had been dived that morning and the shot was still "in" so no messing about required. The water looked BLACK (in a green sort of way) - the May Bloom is here.

Due to my marvellously efficient kit config etc and the fact the other gits hogged all the kitting up space I was the last in to the water. Yes, it was "snotty" and yes, it was very dark BUT we must have had nearly a mtr vis.

The current was running a bit on the wreck and because my buddy wanted to go scallop hunting we went off the wreck and never really found it again. We bumped into another buddy pair and, as I was sand hugging I never noticed MY buddy going off with the wrong person. I ended up buddying one of our YBODers. At abt/near 30 mins I signalled I wanted to go up at 3 mins into deco (not worth doing any deco for conditions like that). There was nothing to look at where we were (or had been for that matter) so the YBODer decided to come up with me. I had a total surface to surface dive time of 45 minutes + a max depth of 32 mtrs.

When we got back on the boat we were a little shocked to find one of the group flat on his back sucking on the 100%. I don't really know the facts but suffice to say he had made a rapid ascent and was put straight on O2. He then started feeling unwell and had tingling sensations in his arms. The helicopter was called (I think as soon as he was back on the boat) and, as divers were still in the water, we stayed where we were. I am pleased to say that, apart from a little sickness, our invalid was concious and talking throughout. I attemted to cheer him up by saying not to worry about his kit. IF he recovered he would find it all in one place - on eBay! I also recommended that all the rest of us pile on top of the 'bent one' in order to recompress him and then get off one at a time after 5 minute intervals however my brainwave was laughed at and ignored!!!

The helicopter lift was great, the noise, the power, the downdraft, the "I hope that thing does not fall on top of us" - awesome. First up were the divers cylinders, then the buddy and lastly the winch man and diver.

I'm glad to say that after 5 hours in the pot the all clear was given and both buddy and diver are back home safe and sound.

Despite my less than serious narration, it is not a nice experience seeing someone that way and we/he were lucky that it was nothing too serious to get over and I am VERY pleased our diver is 100% again.

Markus and Bill (owners/skippers) of Inspiration handled the situation as professionally as may possibly be expected from anyone and, due to having all the relevant safety equipment (inc 2 O2 bottles), he was in very good hands. It is nice to know I can rely on them should it ever happen to me. Our group would all be considered as experienced divers (some may qualify as very experienced) so there was no fuss and everything was handled very well by all.

Coffee/tea and Kit Kats and Fairy Cakes were the order of the day after the helicopter had left and of course there was the usual fight over who would get the extra scoff left by the flying divers. Naturally first dibs SHOULD go to the good looking elder stateman (and only one with long hair - if fact ANY hair as far as most of them are concerned) - sadly I was trapped at the wrong end of the RHIB and some people have NO manners.

Only one last thing to say is that when I see our potted diver again I am going to give him a 'piece of my mind'. FFS I missed the start of the Indianna Jones film because we were late back!!!!

[John Touhig]

Originally Posted by Finless

I also recommended that all the rest of us pile on top of the 'bent one' in order to recompress him and then get off one at a time after 5 minute intervals however my brainwave was laughed at and ignored!!!

total class...

[tom]

Glad your mate is OK.

Surprised to see the cylinders were lifted - is that normal procedure? (in the only airlift I've seen all kit was left on the boat).

[Helen F H]

Nice one Finless. Glad to see your brainwaves were working to the usual scheme of things. You can hear it now when they are in the pot "and there was this longhaird FFM looney who wanted to sit on me fer gawds sake".......

[Finless]

Originally Posted by tom

Glad your mate is OK.

Surprised to see the cylinders were lifted - is that normal procedure? (in the only airlift I've seen all kit was left on the boat).

I don't know. I assumed it was at the time. The reason was to check for contaminants in the gas and to confirm the exact mix in the cylinders.

I'm sure someone will know if this is the "norm".

Also, it is VERY remiss of me not to mention our thanks to the helicopter crew for their assistance. About all I can say is very professional. Thanks very much guys - you probably won't read these words but I am wafting good vibrations through the ether in your direction.

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by tom

Glad your mate is OK.

Surprised to see the cylinders were lifted - is that normal procedure? (in the only airlift I've seen all kit was left on the boat).

Likewise Tom. Perhaps a new procedure of theirs. Continuity of evidence etc.

Adrian

[Finless]

Oh, I forgot to mention the OK buddy struck some excellent "running through the air poses" on the way up. May have a picture available at some time - I hope.

[Finless]

I wasn't the David Bailey so pls feel free to criticise about composition, framing, thumbs in the way etc. It has "been claimed" that spray and downdraft made photography difficult - if only I had been consulted .... "you don't want to do it like that ..."




http://www.PictureTrail.com/mukeys

[Finless]

I've just looked at the pictures - the helicopter rotor blades are blurred !!! Oh dear, the youth of today .... can't do anything properly!