Single Point Failures

[Jay]

What is your basis for single point failure? Such that you cannot get out on your own?

Out of that list, I would only consider the manifold, fin and drysuit (exposure) as true single point failures. The drysuit/bc should always be considered back-ups to each other for bouyancy. If you cannot maintain enough bouyancy with either to swim out and deco then you need to take a drysuit course, reconfigure your equipment or use a redundant wing.

The manifold is self explanatory.

The fin, though some folks can swim with only one, could be very significant based on the cave and distance.

All the other issues should be self manageable for a competent diver and of little concern with a competent buddy. (of course, the dive should be turned.)

As someone mentioned earlier I believe, you need to plan your gas so a single deco gas failure (total or significant loss of the gas) does not prevent you from decoing successfully. If you rely on using your buddies gas in that event, then loss of deco gas would be a single point failure in case of seperation or other circumstances.

[freddie]

hi guys remember you can always use line from your spool as a quick fix for straps on your fins...........

[MichaelAngelo]

using line to fix a strap or being able to swim out with a flooded suit or being able to fix a free flowing deco reg doen't make it NOT a single point failure. It means we are trained to solve problems. It means we used our minds to avoid an incident.
Michael Angelo

[David Brock]

Gas composition. If using air then you should consider contamination at the time of filling. If using mixtures then there are several points of potential failure.

Time / depth calculation. Depending on your watch, depth gauge and computer setup. There are cases of single point failures during decompression incidents that have lead to injury and death.

If you extend this from personal equipment to equipment in general then you should also consider fixed aids for entry or exit of the water and the line.

DPV failure (if not using two scooters).

Knife failure. Following a line entanglement fatality in my group I now know a lot of divers who carry two cutting tools.

Communication devices. In buddy diving, a failure of communication can send you both down a fatal route. Also consider the effects of surface communication failures in the event of a potentially recoverable emergency.

I would recommend reviewing past incidents at both:
http://www.cavediver.net/irap/irap_frm.htm
And:
http://www.cavedivinggroup.org.uk/In...dentshome.html

You can also review a systematic assessment of potential failures at:
http://www.cavedivinggroup.org.uk/Ar...inal050905.pdf



Don’t get paranoid about potential failures. The most likely cause of death is sitting on the couch in front of the TV eating chips.

Enjoy your diving,

David

[FW]

The most likely cause of death is sitting on the couch in front of the TV eating chips.

Too true

[chimie007]

G

You can also review a systematic assessment of potential failures at:
http://www.cavedivinggroup.org.uk/Ar...inal050905.pdf

Nice link. I like the fact that they have a preventive vs mitigation actions for potential failures. This would make a good tool for teaching.

[David Brock]

You might also be interested in FRIPS (Formal Risk Identification in Professional SCUBA):

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr436.pdf

It is not cave diving specific but introduces a logical framework with diving examples for the consideration of risk.