INCIDENT REPORT

DIVERS: Andrew (Tec 60 CCR Diver, 1,000-plus dives), Michell (Tec 100 CCR Diver, 1,200-plus dives), Larry (Tec 100 CCR Diver, 2,000-plus dives)

SITE: Boat dive, North Carolina Outer Banks

CONDITIONS: 80˚F water, visibility 200 feet, sunny and hot

Andrew, Michell and Larry were ascending from 330 feet using closed-circuit rebreathers, with no current and warm, clear water from the surface to the bottom. Their bottom time was 10 minutes, and their computers called for 80 minutes of decompression starting at 180 feet. The trio deployed a delayed surface marker buoy and decompressed adrift, with the boat following.

All went as planned until the group reached 30 feet. This stop called for eight minutes of decompression, with 20 minutes still required at 20 feet. After about four minutes, Larry spotted a curious 8-foot tiger shark making its way toward the group. Larry alerted Andrew and Michell, and the team huddled cautiously, watching as the shark circled a bit closer on each pass. When they ascended to the next stop, the tiger ascended with them, now circling just beyond arm’s reach. All three checked their computers and dive boat position, asking themselves: Stay and risk an attack, or surface and risk decompression sickness?

As suddenly as it had appeared, the shark darted off into the blue. “Phew,” gestured Andrew, with a mock brow wipe; the others grinned with apparent relief. They completed decompression, surfaced and boarded the boat with no further incident.

WHAT THEY DID WRONG
The team made no mistakes. Sometimes diving presents situations in which there are no clear right or wrong answers.

WHAT THEY DID RIGHT
The divers stayed together and kept their heads. A large, curious predator swimming in close requires prudence, and the the divers weighed their options and continually reassessed the situation.

FIVE TIPS FROM THIS INCIDENT

1. The more complex the dive, the more complex your choices might be, and this especially includes decompression. If the divers had been making a no-stop dive, they could have simply exited the water.

2. Know your environment. Andrew, Michell and Larry understood sharks well enough to assess its behavior. Take the PADI Shark Awareness specialty course to learn more about these animals.

3. Don’t be impulsive. Some situations require quick action, but others don’t – use whatever time you have to think things through.

4. Dive within your limits. It’s hard to deal with unplanned situations if you’re struggling to execute the dive itself. Expand your limits in reasonable steps with training and experience.

5. If you’re interested in technical diving, see your PADI Dive Center or Instructor about the TecRec course series.

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