Complacency & Diving don't mix

[WylerBear]

There's no excuse for running out of gas. I really believe that. Having said that, after almost 800 dives under my belt, I found myself in an Out of Gas situation today. The reason? (Which in no way excuses the behavior) Complacency. Over-confidence. Whatever you want to call it.
I know I can always do at least an hour dive-usually longer. I always know within a couple 100 psi what my pressure is. Not today.
Zen Diver & I planned 3 dives today ending with a Lumpy dusk dive. On the first dive we decided to do the usual boat, boat, boat profile. I had a short fill (3000 psi in my HP80) and let Valerie know that and that I would more than likely need to switch to my deco bottle by the end of the dive if we did a normal dive for us. Off we went, had a great dive but stayed at depth, even going out to the 4th farthest boat, a bit long. The last time I checked my gauge I had 1500psi but we were still at depth at that point.
We got to safety stop depth and were just hanging out. I took a couple of photos then took a breath and thought, "I know what this feels like." I immediately flashed back to my OW class when the instructor turns off your gas to let you feel what leading up to out of air feels like. I checked my gauge-OUT OF GAS!!!!! I immediately switched on my deco bottle, still breathing from my primary although it was getting harder, and switched to it. No problem. I also had two other options-Valerie was an arm's length away, and we were in 18' of water and I had realized the problem in plenty of time to do a normal ascent if I wanted to.
There was no real danger. I wasn't panicked. Valerie, of course, didn't even know that I was really OOG until I started pointing to myself and indicating that I was a loser. But what a lesson for me. You can't ever take diving for granted. Having a good foundation of knowledge & skill can only take you so far. You really need to pay attention!!!!
We went on to do 2 more great dives (although we got skunked on the Lumpy dive-fortunately we saw one on the deep dive).
And I learned a valuable lesson. Actually, 2 lessons. The second one was call your wife before posting on facebook that you had an OOA situation.
Everybody be safe out there. And check your gauge!

[Penopolypants]

Yikes!!! I'm glad that a) you are okay and b) you are willing to talk about it. It's good to develop a feel for where you are gas-wise during a dive, but any measuring device (including your brain) can have a bad day.

[kat]

i am glad you are safe, and thank you for the reminder. complacency is a dangerous bedfellow.

[Joshua Smith]

Thanks for posting this, Georgia. It's an excellent reminder. And I'm very glad you're OK. I hope the usual group of scuba cops can find it in their hearts to avoid the predictable lectures about this.

There's no excuse for running out of gas. I really believe that. Having said that, after almost 800 dives under my belt, I found myself in an Out of Gas situation today. The reason? (Which in no way excuses the behavior) Complacency. Over-confidence. Whatever you want to call it.
I know I can always do at least an hour dive-usually longer. I always know within a couple 100 psi what my pressure is. Not today.
Zen Diver & I planned 3 dives today ending with a Lumpy dusk dive. On the first dive we decided to do the usual boat, boat, boat profile. I had a short fill (3000 psi in my HP80) and let Valerie know that and that I would more than likely need to switch to my deco bottle by the end of the dive if we did a normal dive for us. Off we went, had a great dive but stayed at depth, even going out to the 4th farthest boat, a bit long. The last time I checked my gauge I had 1500psi but we were still at depth at that point.
We got to safety stop depth and were just hanging out. I took a couple of photos then took a breath and thought, "I know what this feels like." I immediately flashed back to my OW class when the instructor turns off your gas to let you feel what leading up to out of air feels like. I checked my gauge-OUT OF GAS!!!!! I immediately switched on my deco bottle, still breathing from my primary although it was getting harder, and switched to it. No problem. I also had two other options-Valerie was an arm's length away, and we were in 18' of water and I had realized the problem in plenty of time to do a normal ascent if I wanted to.
There was no real danger. I wasn't panicked. Valerie, of course, didn't even know that I was really OOG until I started pointing to myself and indicating that I was a loser. But what a lesson for me. You can't ever take diving for granted. Having a good foundation of knowledge & skill can only take you so far. You really need to pay attention!!!!
We went on to do 2 more great dives (although we got skunked on the Lumpy dive-fortunately we saw one on the deep dive).
And I learned a valuable lesson. Actually, 2 lessons. The second one was call your wife before posting on facebook that you had an OOA situation.
Everybody be safe out there. And check your gauge!

[Tom Nic]

If it happened to Georgia it can happen to anybody. Period.

Pay attention! Be safe!

Thanks for telling the story Georgia.

[Gooch]

Georgia; we are all very glad you are well. Thanks for posting this though as a lesson to never be complacent. And be careful what you put on Facebook- your wife/boss/friends might be reading it I'm just very happy you are good.

[Dusty2]

A good reminder for the new year. Glad your a member of the we love ponies club!

[FlyinV]

It will be a valuable story for you to talk about and teaching the open water classes.

Excellent reminder for us all about looking at the gauge - especially those of us (me) who might have progressed from complete beginner to now more experienced and don't check the gauges like a crazy person every minute anymore

[Bric Martin]

Georgia

It was good to see you and Val. The upside of this situation is how you responded, you calmly fixed a problem. Afterwards you used the mistake as a learning moment and moved on. I'll dive with you anytime!

[Zen Diver]

When Georgia gave me the OOA sign, I thought, "oh, ok, she's switching to her deco bottle as planned." When she added the Loser sign and pointed to herself, repeatedly, I thought "she's not really telling me what I think she's telling me, is she?" I was amazed at how calm she was, and at her willingness to share the story, and to do so publically. Way to go buddy! (seriously).

Valerie

[CaptnJack]

When Georgia gave me the OOA sign, I thought, "oh, ok, she's switching to her deco bottle as planned." When she added the Loser sign and pointed to herself, repeatedly, I thought "she's not really telling me what I think she's telling me, is she?" I was amazed at how calm she was, and at her willingness to share the story, and to do so publically. Way to go buddy! (seriously).

Valerie

Val's retelling of this image made me laugh Thanks for sharing Georgia.

Funny thing is I was diving with a Al13 argon bottle yesterday for the first time in a year and actually "lost" my spg behind it. I was on the scooter at the time I was checking it, just dropped it and it blew back there. Between the wing and the argon bottle that sucker was not coming back to me. I could feel the hose up at the left post reg but had no leverage to pull it back out. I "knew" I had plenty of gas too but ended up feeling guilty I couldn't check and had to go through much light signaling,arm waving schenanigins to get my buddy to get it back for me. I felt like a big L at the time too

[Sounder]

It's a good reminder. Thanks for sharing it Georgia.

[LCF]

It's a good reminder. I got twenty minute into my first dive yesterday, distracted by new place, unfamiliar gear, etc., and suddenly realized I hadn't checked my gas. I "knew" I had plenty, but it really shook me to have gotten that distracted. We can all make mistakes.

[nwbobber]

Glad you are OK, and I thank you for posting about it. These reminders help us all to stay safe.

[ArcticDiver]

Another Thank You for your reminder story. Yep, complacency is an equal opportunity evil spirit just lurking ready to do its' worst.

[BDub]

Thanks for sharing, Georgia.

Everyone has been bit in the ass by complacency, to one degree or another. I know I have

These are good wake up calls for everyone to keep us on our toes and learn from

[Cold_H2O]

Glad to hear your ok and thanks for the reminder.