Most Common Mistake

[Meister481]

I've been a cave diving for 3 years now, and I've made a few mistakes along the way, none that were critical. I was wondering what everyone thought was the most common mistake they make.

I know what my one big mistake was, I was humping it in heavy flow at JB when I missed marking the first T, never even saw it. I was even with the line and about 10' away so the T was invisible. I should have been closer. Lesson learned.

Edit:
I left out breaking rules, IMO that is done on purpose, I'm wondering about things you don't intend to do.

[aainslie]

For me it's not enough planning. Always bites me in the butt.

Especially in new areas.

[Rich]

I see far too many people going to places that are way past their skill level.....

Safe diving,

Rich

Edit: Didn't realize it was a personal poll so in that case I'd have to agree with Andrew and the 7 P's...

[Jay]

I think it is changing the plan on the fly.
Too many folks decide to do something different that wasn't discussed during the planning.

[rchrds]

I have to go with changing too much at one time- this is certainly an issue for new cave divers- but can hurt old hands as well- as it is usually in the same boat with setting unreasonable expectations/goals for the dive. Is also associate with poor planning/preparation.

[cavemark]

I keep forgetting equipment. Usually I get lucky and can borrow equipment at the site. Once I had to turn around and go home. However, I am regimented enough that I haven't forgotten anything on a dive.

Once I was diving sidemount and forgot my backup lights (left them on my backplate/harness). Luckily I was able to borrow a pair from a friend who was just leaving Ginnie.

Another time I forgot the battery pack for my primary light. 1 hour and 50 minute drive to Little River and I had to turn around and go home. Beautiful Day, No one else was there.

Items forgotten:

Primary Light Battery
Hood
Backup lights
Catheter
Necklace
Defog
Pillow (camping at Ginnie CDF New Years Social)

[Neptuno]

I keep forgetting equipment. Usually I get lucky and can borrow equipment at the site. Once I had to turn around and go home. However, I am regimented enough that I haven't forgotten anything on a dive.

Once I was diving sidemount and forgot my backup lights (left them on my backplate/harness). Luckily I was able to borrow a pair from a friend who was just leaving Ginnie.

Another time I forgot the battery pack for my primary light. 1 hour and 50 minute drive to Little River and I had to turn around and go home. Beautiful Day, No one else was there.

Items forgotten:

Primary Light Battery
Hood
Backup lights
Catheter
Necklace
Defog
Pillow (camping at Ginnie CDF New Years Social)

hehe, that is funny, I'll send you one of those padi checklists for going diving

[JDR]

I'm in the same group with Mark.

I've forgotten fins, lights, deco regs, etc...

I always covered with the, "Hey guys, I'll go pick up some ribs so we can catch up before our dive"

[rchrds]

I forgot one fin. (Actually another buddy forgot one fin as well on an earlier dive, but we still got a scooter dive to the hinkle on that one. Scootering is hard with only one fin.)

On another dive, my drysuit.

[JDR]

Has anyone ever forgotten their condom and still pissed in their drysuit?

I haven't,, and if I did, I'd never admit it