Out of Air Method

[Chris H]

Not somebody I want to be in the water with...one of the beauties of paying a little extra for a six pack charter full of like minded divers. ;D  On the flip side, why can't a recreational diver not have good buoyancy skills and decent situational awareness?

Of course you were taught not to fumble with the octo, I think the point Lonnie was making is that it is almost inevitable.  It is also likely that it isn't in the little holder it is supposed to be in and it has been dragging in the sand too, but the diver that needs air shouldn't mind either of those things.  It is obviously very important that the diver having the OOA gets a working regulator that is supplying gas that is safe to breathe at the depth you are at.  The diver that is donating the long hose is supplying just that.  He knows it is working properly because he was just using it.    He can then go to the backup on a bugee around his neck, or buddy breathe with the other diver if need  be.

Funny you should mention "Knowing your system well".  That is one of the inherent beauties of DIR.

As far as controlling the ascent, oftentimes when there is a gas share, a diver can't go to the surface.  An example would be a deco obligation.  As I stated earlier, when the OOA diver gets a working reg in their mouth, the emergency is over.  There is no reason to freak out and go shooting to the surface.  It is a perfect time to get your bearings back, calm down, watch Todd do a few back kicks, and safely ascend to the next stop.