IRAP Administrator
08-04-2007, 01:20 PM
Divers A, B, & C had a plan to do some surveying in a new section of sidemount cave. Diver C was supposed to be located between Diver A & B and entrance for support. Diver C modified the plan to extend his dive (in time, distance and different section of cave), which caused concern to divers A & B when they exited and surfaced and had not seen Diver C.
Diver C did mark a T on the way out, but since there was no plan for him to go anywhere but out, Diver A, seeing this on his exit, assumed Diver C forgot it.
Diver A made a decision to make a search of the (now nasty) section of cave to see if Diver C had got lost off the line.
Diver C returned just prior to Diver A returning from his search.
The major issue here was a communication breakdown, mostly due to inexperience on the part of Diver C. Entering the main tunnel was not part of the dive plan.
All divers agreed that much clearer and more explicit communication will be part of all future dive plans. Diver C learned that “Plan the dive and dive the plan” is a crucial part of being a responsible diver at any level.
Diver C did mark a T on the way out, but since there was no plan for him to go anywhere but out, Diver A, seeing this on his exit, assumed Diver C forgot it.
Diver A made a decision to make a search of the (now nasty) section of cave to see if Diver C had got lost off the line.
Diver C returned just prior to Diver A returning from his search.
The major issue here was a communication breakdown, mostly due to inexperience on the part of Diver C. Entering the main tunnel was not part of the dive plan.
All divers agreed that much clearer and more explicit communication will be part of all future dive plans. Diver C learned that “Plan the dive and dive the plan” is a crucial part of being a responsible diver at any level.