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wetbehindtheears
19-02-09, 11:29
:oStuff the embarassment, I want to make a very public thank you to all those who came to my assistance on Sun 1 Feb when I was involved in an incident whilst diving at Furnace Quarry.

In short, my buddy and I were diving twinsets and were into deco. We were making our way to our first stop when my drysuit inflation valve started to freeflow. Before I realised what was wrong, I was making a very uncontrolled ascent to the surface. In spite of my attempts to control the ascent, I soon found myself on the surface having missed about 20 minutes of stops. Understandably, I was a little panicked so I immediately raised the alarm.

I would like to thank John and his brother (fishermen) who raised the alarm and contacted the Coastguard.

Thanks to Tom and the other guys from Allander Dive Club who came to my assistance and administered O2 which was, fortunately, in my car. The care and attention they gave me whilst awaiting the helicopter was outstanding. Thanks guys, you are a credit to your club.

Thank you to the crew of Rescue 177 who were consumate professionals and ensured my speedy despatch to Millport and the ambulance crew involved in my transfers.

All the guys and girls at Millport Hyperbaric Facility for the compassion and care with which you treated me, thankfully I did not require to enter the Pot. Quite simply, you were amazing. Thank you.

Thanks to all the staff at Lady Margaret Hospital who continued my O2 therapy and ensured my overnight stay was as comfortable as possible.

Finally, thanks to all the guys from my club with who I was diving on the day, especially Martin my buddy.

It goes without saying that I have written to all the above people personally, but felt that I should, briefly, share my experience on this forum. You hope you are never involved in a diving incident, but when you are it is amazing how a complete bunch of stangers will come together and ensure your safety and recovery.

I personally have learned many lessons from this experience, not least of which is all about skill fade and the continued revision and practice of drills, no matter how unlikely you may think they are to occur. Once I am allowed back in the water, the first place will be in the pool to simulate what happened and see if I could have done anything differently. My one problem after that will be finding a Buddy!:o

Yogi Diver
19-02-09, 11:39
Scary stuff!:eek:
Glad you are OK and great to know people were around to do the right thing for you.
Probably the only course of action possible with a dry suit valve freeflow is to disconnect the hose fast and pull your neck seal open to dump the air. Your gonna get cold and wet but still better than the pot.

This is easy said, but your gonna have to be quick to stop the ascent.

NorthernTechnical
19-02-09, 11:41
Atleast your ok, that the main thing.

Been diving at Furnace for 14 years now and treated 2 bends on other divers to date on this site, it happens from time to time.

Deffo keep the skills sharp, I do a lot of tekkie training you are more than welcome to join in on our skills parts of the course to keep the practise up.

We are at the A Frames this Saturday doing a load of twin set drills...

Cheers and take it easy

Ian

wetbehindtheears
19-02-09, 11:57
Atleast your ok, that the main thing.

Been diving at Furnace for 14 years now and treated 2 bends on other divers to date on this site, it happens from time to time.

Deffo keep the skills sharp, I do a lot of tekkie training you are more than welcome to join in on our skills parts of the course to keep the practise up.

We are at the A Frames this Saturday doing a load of twin set drills...

Cheers and take it easy

Ian

Ian, thanks very much for the offer but unfortunately I've been advised not to dive for a month. Looking forward to getting back in the water sometime in March.

Cheers

Dave

scubagranny
19-02-09, 12:37
Very pleased that you are okay, and well done to all your rescuers.
SG

chris
19-02-09, 13:44
Thanks for sharing your experience and glad you are OK.

Mogwai
19-02-09, 17:04
Glad you got out of it ok

dive granny
19-02-09, 20:52
Glad you are all right now. DG

TWIN TANKS
19-02-09, 21:01
Welcome To The Land Of Living
Glad U Are Ok Scary Stuff Thou

Mikey B
19-02-09, 22:58
Glad you recovered mate,sounds scary.Safe diving bud

Gas Man
20-02-09, 00:17
It's so good that you have shared that with us all, it should act as a sober reminder to all of us.
I had a similar incident 8 years ago and thought the term "life flashing before your eyes" was a load of rubbish, but it really does in that short space of time as you head polaris like to the surface you see it all.
It certainly changed my outlook on diving and still does to this day.

So pleased that you are well and will be back in the water soon.

Thanks!

daytona12
20-02-09, 22:22
good your o.k. club was doing drysuit skills in the pool the other night inflation valve drills always interesting .always scary how fast the surface is.