Beneath The Surface: Risk Management Lessons From An Unforgettable Dive

The sea, I've always believed, mirrors life. It shelters beauty, mystery, challenges, and occasionally, fear. As a frequent scuba diver, I've experienced all these aspects, sometimes within a single dive. There was one dive, however, that profoundly affected me, reshaping my views on risk management and self-resilience.

The stage was set on a Sunday, the sun shining on the calm sea surface, offering a perfect day for diving. My usual diving partner was unavailable that weekend, but the alluring call of the underwater realm was too compelling to ignore, so I decided to explore alone. Solo diving is usually discouraged in the diving community due to the potential risks it carries. Nevertheless, having dived many times and being familiar with the site, I evaluated the risk as relatively low. I had planned to limit my dive to a depth of 30 meters, where a signpost warns divers about the necessary equipment and gas planning needed if they wish to venture deeper.

For the day, I chose my Sidemount gears, along with my 1.8-meter SMB (Surface Marker Buoy). I decided to carry my larger SMB because of lessons I had learned from a previous incident (a story for another time!) to have a secondary backup for my buoyancy (in addition to my wing and drysuit) when solo diving. I clipped my SMB and its reel to my right shoulder D-ring, as I struggled to reach the back of my wing due to a shoulder issue. The Sidemount divers know that's the D-ring that we also use to clip our long hose 2nd stage regulator.

The site was known for its poor visibility because of a silty seabed, and encircling darkness even at moderate depths, so I made sure both my primary and secondary lights were fully charged. Equipped with all the necessary gear and mentally prepared for the solo dive, I entered the water, feeling both thrilled and conscious of the adventure ahead. As I began descending into the depths, I felt a wave of tranquility. The muffled sounds of the underwater world and the occasional sight of aquatic life going about their daily routine were always calming. However, the peace was short-lived as the bright sunlight gradually faded, and I found myself enveloped in the sea's ominous darkness. Visibility was limited to just one meter ahead, which instilled a sense of unease. Regardless, I reminded myself to stay focused and carry on with the dive, reassuring myself that familiarity breeds comfort.

The descent went smoothly, and soon I was at the 30-meter signpost. As I swam around the signpost, ready to turn back and slowly ascend, an unexpected force, like a strong current, held me back. My SMB line, which had accidentally come loose, had wrapped itself around the signpost's steel stand and this moment marked the beginning of a string of challenges that I hadn’t anticipated. Panic began to creep in as I looked at my dive computer, realizing that my No Decompression Limit (NDL) was almost up. I was unprepared at the time and hadn't trained adequately for decompression stops. My breathing became quick, short bursts, and I realized I was sliding into a panic-induced hyperventilation.

In such moments, when panic clouds judgment, it's essential to return to the basics. I made a conscious effort to control my breathing. Slow, deep breaths became my anchor amidst the turmoil. As any experienced diver knows, hyperventilation, especially at depth when you're breathing dense gas, can lead to hypercapnia, a potentially fatal condition where carbon dioxide builds up in your bloodstream. By managing to control my breath rate, I not only avoided hypercapnia but also began to regain my composure. Next, I focused on my buoyancy control. In my panicked state, I started to ascend rapidly, but my entangled SMB line had effectively halted me. Using this as an opportunity, I regained control of my buoyancy, returning to the 30-meter depth. This incident underscores the importance of managing buoyancy in crisis situations while scuba diving. It's a fundamental skill every diver learns, but one that is easy to forget in a panic. By revisiting this critical skill, I was able to regain stability and take control of my predicament. With my buoyancy under control, my attention turned to the SMB line tangled around the signpost. I was in a dangerous situation, tied to the seabed, 30 meters below the surface. Panic and haste could easily have made the situation worse, escalating the danger considerably. But at that moment, I remembered a crucial principle in scuba diving: staying calm under pressure. Instead of succumbing to fear or anxiety, I focused my mind and energy on the task at hand. Untangling the line was the only safe way out of the predicament. My instinct was to free myself quickly, but I realized the importance of proceeding slowly and cautiously. This approach mirrored the principles of risk management, where each decision carries potential consequences that could worsen the situation if not handled carefully. 

The entanglement served as a reminder that haste often leads to complications. By taking a moment to gather my thoughts and methodically untangle the line, I not only solved the immediate problem but also avoided further complications. The clear thought process and decision-making demonstrated in this instance underline the importance of remaining calm, patient, and focused when faced with challenges.

Choosing to tackle the situation calmly allowed me to assess the risk associated with retrieving my gear and make an informed decision. Risk management isn't just about identifying potential risks but also evaluating and making decisions based on the associated risks. My decision to leave my SMB and its reel behind and to end the dive early was an essential aspect of risk management that day.

Once I surfaced safely, I was flooded with a mix of emotions: relief, exhaustion, and a newfound appreciation for the role of risk management in diving. However, the dive had another lesson to offer. I realized that the fear of that situation would continue to haunt me if I did not face it again. So, the following week, I planned another dive at the same location, this time preparing for the possibility of a longer bottom time to recover my gear.

The preparation involved extensive planning and studying decompression diving, setting my computers to tech dive mode, and choosing a twinset for the dive. I also opted to dive with Nitrox to allow myself a longer bottom time with a reduced risk of decompression sickness.

Returning to the scene was a challenge, a testament to overcoming fear and stepping out of my comfort zone. Seeing my equipment lying on the seabed was a stark reminder of the previous incident. However, this time, I was better prepared, both mentally and physically. I evaluated the situation, checked my gas levels, planned the recovery, and only then began the retrieval process. The visibility around me dropped significantly as I reeled in the tangled line, stirring up the silt on the seafloor. Despite the reduced visibility, I felt a sense of calmness and control that was absent during the previous dive. It served as evidence of the value of planning ahead and keeping a cool head.

The experience of that dive incident was a journey filled with unexpected challenges and invaluable lessons. It reiterated the importance of risk management in scuba diving and in life. We often find ourselves tangled in the metaphorical lines of life's challenges. The lessons I've learned can serve as a guide for handling such situations: evaluate the situation, control your panic, evaluate your risks, and make informed decisions. Moreover, the incident taught me that preparation and knowledge are vital in navigating through any crisis. Just as the right amount of planning and training helped me retrieve my gear, similarly, in life, preparation and knowledge can turn daunting challenges into manageable tasks. Lastly, but importantly, this dive reminded me of the significance of overcoming fear, the essence of growth, and the value of resilience. We can turn any challenge into a valuable lesson, just as it was for me during this unforgettable dive incident!