Rebreather Instructor Reacts to "We Got Caught in a Downcurrent - PANIC (Sipadan, Island)"

[@wolfbenson]

For sure, getting caught in current can be deadly. Dove years ago at Deception Pass in Western Washington. Absolutely beautiful dive. 80 feet to bottom, current nourishing a deep covering of sea life. But, as we got farther "down the wall" that is, not deeper but further away from our enter point, the current got stronger. and STRONGER and suddenly, I'm using all my might not to be swept out to sea. I was able to crawl back but it was scary. Rookie diver and never taught anything about underwater currents when getting licensed!

[@arigato22]

I actually just got back from diving there over xmas! The currents in Sipadan are incredibly strong and go up/down and sideways. Not sure which company this is with but my first trip, we had a detailed briefing with the guides. They warned us to keep close, behind them and at their level because they will assess the current to avoid us being swept away. My first trip was with one guide and we did a lot of drift diving. The other guide had two guys and one of them kept swimming away from her (he was taking videos); he swam deeper and in front of her (she actually told him off). Also, Sipadan is a protected national park - you cannot touch the coral. There is a military presence on the island and they have navy seal divers who patrol the waters sometimes and if they catch you chasing wildlife or touching stuff, they will ban you from going to the island again! This was 2 years ago so maybe they're stricter now? I was told that we couldn't chase wildlife so we took videos of what we could see but didn't pursue any sharks or turtles. FYI some parts drop from 600m to 2.5Km so yeah, staying at your DM's level is important as the down current can kill you! Depending which company you go with, the one I went with only provided BCDs. No dive computers or SMBs so you're reliant on your guide. I have my own dive computer but I asked about torches and SMBs. I did find your comments helpful as I hadn't ever dived in currents. And I thought the comment about the boat and captain was logical because I do know someone who had his hand sliced open by the propeller due to a miscommunication with the captain and strong currents.

[@mellamodiego8458]

if there is a choice between saving your own life and grabbing coral....grab the coral

[@revolution2009E-7]

I was thinking the same thing. This guy sounds very arrogant and I would question his experience as well. Sounds very book smart if you know what I mean.

[@suedemorris511]

Informative video especially after reading about the diver on Santa Rosa wall in Cozumel this week. Up and down currents - not something I remember being taught in training, nor briefed on in Cozumel. As many have said, we as divers take responsibility for our own safety and the buddies you dive with. Dive masters may not always be able to get you out of a situation. These divers stayed together and remained calm.

[@rmjett3761]

I love all your videos, but I love that your critiques are used to teach. I think your credentials bring extra knowledge and more perspective to situations or potential problems. Thank you so much for making your videos. Please keep putting them out there for us. Even with all my years of diving, I have still learned a good deal from you.

[@BoxerJW]

First of your videos I’ve seen. Great review! Thank you for your service.

[@bilgecoskun2606]

This was great! Thanks for sharing you expertise with us

[@DiveVibe]

My pleasure!

[@trickedouttech321]

I have been diving since the 90s, don't touch coral. Agreed. However, if you are in any danger that rule gets thrown into the trash bin, and you do what you have to stay alive. yes, it will suck a few bits of coral got hurt or even died, but that coral is not worth your life as a human. Always be respectful and use rules 1, 2 & 3 "Never touch the bottom of the ocean" Always stay off the bottom. Have good diving skills and stay off the bottom. But use your head, that rule can be broken to save a life if it sh*t goes wrong.

[@Redleg-pk5cj]

I was at Deception pass on Washington state. Had a current was strong even at slack. Had a down current down to 73' then an up current. I was trying to slow myself down. Computer was pissed. I was on Nitrox and the dive was super quick. Turned my head and had water injected into my reg from the exhaust valve. The down and up had me breathing hard so I probably had a CO2 loop going. Lucky no bends.

[@laminar0886]

I’ve been watching more and more of your videos… great stuff! You should have many more Subs, so keep the content coming please. I think we all could use more product reviews, dive analysis, and training tips. Oh, and good on you for calling out the dive professionals that need to be called out. People don’t pay to intentionally make life hard for the pros. Help out.. and teach instead!

[@DiveVibe]

Thanks for the kind words! I have a lot of cool stuff coming!

[@Coffeeguyzz]

Excellent analysis. Very constructive advice describing the diver/ boat interface. World looks a whole lot different when standing on a deck versus looking up wearing a face mask.

[@DiveVibe]

Thank you! I really appreciate all your comments and I'm glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@TravelNarrativesofWin]

I freedive and one time I went with a friend for an unfacilitated dive, water was pretty shallow say about 15-20 feet. We didn't have any buouy but did have a buddy system. I looked at an anemone and decided to ascent. Surprised seeing a fishing boat drive by on top of me. My buddy was chasing me to stop me but good thing I looked up, swam horizontally and grabbed on to the boat due to panic. Now everytime I hear a motorboat underwater, I panic wasting more O2.

[@DiveVibe]

Holy hell! Im glad you're ok! I would be a little traumatized too after that. I obviously don't know your situation, but if I was in your shoes I would try and get some training that would make me feel more confident. A buoyancy course for scuba diving or something similar for freediving. Hope that helps!

[@TravelNarrativesofWin]

@@DiveVibe yes! I'm inclining on being certified but it could get pricey here in the Philippines. So I only dive with people I feel comfortable or safe with, I was just careless that day - never again. Thanks and great content you have here. :)

[@greglarson4253]

In SCUBA you are taught to have one hand over your head and look up while ascending.

[@NikonKanava]

Great video!

[@DiveVibe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@sivonparansun]

Why didn't they just go up to the surface when that insane current almost scooped them up

[@stevenciesiel777]

Definitely scary I’ve never been in that situation hopefully never! I’ve seen down current videos and one in particular the guy was panicking and was saved by another diver however both ascended way too fast faster than their bubbles when they reached the surface. Upon reaching the surface the rescuing diver instructs the panicked diver to go back down 30 ft which I hear it’s better just to go back on the boat and get monitored for DS and start oxygen immediately if need be!

[@WMCLComputers]

Yes please go over your DPV

[@DiveVibe]

Will do! Gimme a couple weeks, I'll be cave diving in Florida for a little while and then I'll have time to make a dpv video.

[@WMCLComputers]

@@DiveVibe Awesome! I am planning on taking my cave diving certification with Edd Sorenson here in Florida I bet it's not going to be an easy one but definitely a great time.

[@cardenalion92]

Hi. Great Vid. I have one question though. After the video ends... what are they supposed to do? Sure they are holding onto the wall so they are not being dragged down... But do they start the ascension? Launch a buoy? Will the current get softer?

[@DiveVibe]

Wow! What a great question! I can't comment on their local procedures. However, in their shoes (or fins) I would have done my best to explain to the group that we needed to stay close together and launched a dsmb for the boat to keep track of us, potentially the currents are stronger than anticipated. They should be out of the downcurrent now, I believe the guide was just attempting to regroup. Thanks for the question!

[@paulturner3590]

Love your videos. Will be in Oahu in September for some adventure! What scooter do you use???

[@DiveVibe]

Thanks! That's awesome, I used to live on Oahu and loved it. I use a DiveX Blacktip Tech, great scooter for the money.

[@KevinMcgovern-c1d]

Well down currents normally hit after a wall on a slope close to a small bat or off a point i spent 25yr diving in indo i know about down currents

[@svenlindemann5084]

And inflator buttons are elevator buttons, right ? :-))

[@katkat4986]

Are jet fins good to fight this kind of current?

[@DiveVibe]

They would certainly help! Most paddle fins have a lot of force.

[@katkat4986]

@@DiveVibe thank you!!!

[@johnnyutah565]

I’m extremely interested in down currents probably because they scare me

[@DiveVibe]

I hear that...

[@Ilmmic]

Definitely by far that thing I scars me the most. So being, at least being theoretically ,a bit better prepare helps. And I can hopefully remember these 3 steps ( Air in the BCD - up and away the wall - Air out of the BCD) when it counts 😅 Thanks for the good explanation !

[@thegamerboneless2864]

Did you see the Socorro, that was one crazy situation. The diver was stuck for a while, I think he was new diver, had a big knife in his hand got caught and couldn’t get out, I think his buddy’s couldn’t help with that knife flailing around 😂

[@DiveVibe]

That sounds amazing, I'll see if I can find it.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

My name is Dan … Sipadan … 🥁

[@dominicklittle9828]

i first saw this video on dive talk and was mildly interested, i much preferd your commentary. somehow you come off as a better teacher than woody does.

[@DiveVibe]

Oh I didn't know they did this one. Those guys can really crank out videos. They've got their formula figured out and I like it a lot, so thanks for the huge compliment!

[@georgemop]

Scooter video fasho

[@DiveVibe]

Will do!

[@sbmillward]

8:06 Great reaction! 😄I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets enraged when I see divers grabbing/touching/kicking coral. Unfortunately, it's a very common sight where I live in #Taiwan. By the way, I think in this case it's a sponge. But, obviously, the diver still shouldn't be grabbing it. 😉

[@DiveVibe]

Preach brother!

[@silversmoke6]

Abroad in Japan intro?

[@jayman5692]

What’s wrong with split fins? 😅

[@DiveVibe]

It's mostly a joke. I think they're a gimmick and I like making fun of them. Lol

[@jayman5692]

I’ve never swam with regular ones before. So I can’t really say if they are N improvement or not

[@DiveVibe]

@jayman5692 Doesn't matter. If you dive safely and without disrupting the marine environment then you're a good diver, no matter what gear you use.

[@jayman5692]

@@DiveVibe What about all the new gear that uses eco friendly materials for our oceans. Also rebreathers and BCDs that help improve neutral buoyancy and control. Are those also gimmicks? Or are they Equipment that make you a better diver and safer for marine life? Just trying to understand your point… 😄

[@dtt3426]

should you try and go perpendicular if caught in a down current. i dove socorro in mexico was told we may encounter them, fortunately did not. on a drift dive go with the flow more than likely you'll go side ways just go with it. i found that if i got ahead of anyone i would drop down to an outcropping on the bottom and wait for people to catch up. if you own a spool and smb, and if you dive the ocean you should, ask the dm if you can shoot yours as well or just yours. if you always watch the dm shoot his you don't get practice.

[@BahaaShqeer]

Why instructors hate divemasters 😅😂

[@DiveVibe]

lool

[@zachdenney]

nothing annoys me more than people diving with camera gear, and when they find themselves in a situation requiring immediate attention they continue to worry about the camera gear recording. PUT YOUR CAMERA DOWN, GET YOURSELF SQUARED AWAY.