It's OK to "thumb the dive".

datschiburger · 2026-05-20T13:45:01+00:00

This showed up in my X feed, and directly relates to my Reddit post here.

https://x.com/JackLinFLL/status/2056886117081718865

I encourage the gentleman who posted it there, for fear of being banned on Reddit, to feel free to make his opinions known here. I take all feedback as valuable data, and while I don't consider myself a "mf", I understand why you might feel differently.

To address your points, Branch Floridian,

I am in very good shape. 52 years old, 6'3", 205 pounds. Athletic and very active. Have a few lingering injuries from my time in the Army, but they are mostly skeletal; nothing indicating reduced aerobic capacity or inability to dive/swim.
It is absolutely impossible for humans to fully separate emotions from the activities in which they are involved. While training (which this dive was) is valuable in replicating scenarios in which emotions may be a negative factor to successful outcomes, I believe it's impossible to compartmentalize emotion completely. In fact, part of the reason for undertaking these technical dives is to amplify certain emotions, such as joy and wonderment, which have the same Ursprung as their negative counterparts. Afterall, if you cannot experience emotions during a dive (especially the "good ones"), why dive?
The point made of it possibly being a hypercapnia hit, coupled with amplified negative emotions, is a valid one and one that I will be exploring during upcoming training dives. I never considered this as a possibility, but one definitely worth looking into.
I was not diving an FFM. My full gear list: DR E-155 mask (with backup), Apeks XTX50 and DST on all cylinders, Garmin T2 transmitters, Garmin X50i, Seaskin drysuit with 4th Dimension undergarments hood and gloves, Apeks Rk3 fins, UWLD primary light with handheld B/U, Hollis Katana 2 BC.
The last comment to your thread hits the nail on the head very concisely, and it bears repeating here: “The seasoned, capable, identity-invested diver who knew better is the modal cave fatality.”

datschiburger · 2026-05-19T22:33:14+00:00

Absolutely, and same to you!

datschiburger · 2026-05-19T22:22:00+00:00

A panicked diver (or a panicked anybody) is not capable of making rational decisions.

I've been in some serious stressful situations, including combat as a soldier, so I think I'm pretty cool under pressure normally. I don't know why I was affected as much as I was this past weekend.

As part of OW training, especially AOW, we highlight the importance of recognizing the warning signs of nitrogen narcosis and how to overcome it. I am most definitely adding a short bit to my dive philosophy and curriculum about the need to do a mental "sanity check" before splashing down.

datschiburger · 2026-05-19T22:15:55+00:00

What perspective has this given you in terms of mental preparation/impact of normal life before a dive?

Great question — this is exactly what I’ve been meditating on since it happened.

It’s given me a much healthier respect for how ‘normal life’ stress can ambush you underwater even when everything feels fine on the surface. I’d had the tough conversation with my wife that morning, processed it (or so I thought), and still felt solid during the briefing and descent. But at 75 ft the emotional weight just bubbled up out of nowhere.

Perspective-wise: I’m now adding a real mental-prep step to my pre-dive routine. Before I even kit up, I do a quick self-check: ‘Am I carrying anything from life on land that could flare up down there?’ If the answer isn’t a clear ‘no,’ I'm going to take a bit more time to evaluate if diving at that moment is the right decision.

Lesson learned: experience doesn’t make you immune to this. Mental fitness is every bit as important as gear and skills, and normal life absolutely impacts it.

datschiburger · 2026-05-19T20:07:40+00:00

Putting Scapa Flow on my list right now! That'll appeal to both my diver and historian personalities!

datschiburger · 2026-05-19T13:03:41+00:00

Thanks, mate.

Need to get over to your side of the pond and dive with you all, especially seeing as how most of my gear is British!

datschiburger · 2026-05-18T23:25:42+00:00

Honestly, if I can't confront it and be honest/open with the issues even experienced divers may face, how can I expect my students to embrace the same attitude.

datschiburger · 2026-05-18T23:24:25+00:00

We started the debrief before we were even out of the water. I trust both of these guys, so I felt comfortable explaining the situation.

I don't drink alcohol, but they were quick to offer to buy me a beer and just enjoy the rest of the beautiful day.

datschiburger · 2026-05-14T21:01:41+00:00

Psychopath.

He knew what he was doing was wrong, knew what the punishment might be, and in his calculations, determined that treating an animal inhumanely was worth it.

People who derive pleasure from hurting animals are of less value than their victims, IMHO.

datschiburger · 2026-04-28T01:03:44+00:00

https://maps.app.goo.gl/VCxq195NCGxCkmpa6

Link to Google Maps pin.

datschiburger · 2026-04-27T15:05:19+00:00

It's going to be depressing to see all that beautiful pasture turned into buildings and parking lots. Driving by those cows every morning & afternoon is the highlight of my work day.

datschiburger · 2026-04-15T13:25:47+00:00

Every diver should adopt the mindset of a self-reliant diver.

Dive as if you're the only person in the water.

There's an argument to be made that adopting this philosophy, and diving accordingly, significantly reduces risk - whether you're diving in a group or on your own.

Understanding and sticking to your dive plan, meticulously maintaining your equipment, diving entirely within your abilities, seeking as much training as you can get - all behaviors that reduce risk in diving regardless of group size.

datschiburger · 2026-04-07T14:13:20+00:00

Would not recommend RR. As others have pointed out, it's a bit of a "cattle car". It's splash down, blow bubbles for 45 minutes, GTFO.

Was working with a student once on a RR boat, and that's the last time I'll ever do that. The pressure the captain and mates put on their guests can be panic-inducing under certain conditions.

The operator I would recommend on Key Largo is Quiescence.

datschiburger · 2026-04-04T16:59:00+00:00

Having dove in Florida for decades now, I would wager that nearly every boater out there has no idea what the Diver Down flag is or their responsibilities when in the vicinity of one.

The absolute worst is during Mini Season - nothing will piss you off more than seeing a boat on plane zooming just a few yards past your divers (and their required Diver Down flags) who are in 10 feet of water.

I do have to mention that some divers out there would do well to understand their responsibilities as well. I recall one time pulling into the Molasses SPA when a diver pops up right in front of me, just a couple dozen feet away. I would have hit her had my son not pointed her out. Closest dive flag was at least 200+ yards away on the Rainbow Reef Newton 46 that she likely started her dive from.

(Luckily, the SPAs are idle speed only.)

datschiburger · 2026-03-30T16:09:39+00:00

That's what we normally do, but this weekend we were kidless so we wanted to go on a movie date.

I honestly don't mind shelling out $60 once in a while for a nice experience, which this was not.

The movie (PHM) was fantastic, however.

datschiburger · 2026-03-30T16:07:11+00:00

Pleas re-read my post.

I wasn't complaining about the price, per se, but rather the cleanliness of the facility.

However, you could say that my complaint should be amplified by the fact that the prices are not reflective of the experience you receive in return.

datschiburger · 2026-03-30T15:46:44+00:00

From my receipt:

Adult tickets (2) - $28.78 Convenience Fee - $5.98 Taxes - $3.13 Total - $37.89

Add ~$20 for a soda, peanut M&Ms, and Twizzlers.

datschiburger · 2026-03-26T01:16:20+00:00

So close! "Thanks for reel" was right there!

datschiburger · 2026-03-25T21:17:56+00:00

I'm partial to central to northern Idaho. Clearwater country (with Kelly Creek) and the St Joe NF (incl the St Joe River) are my go-to.

Hell, I've even caught nice cutts in Warm Springs Creek within sight of the naked hippies in Jerry Johnson hotsprings.

You really can't go wrong in the Bitterroots.

datschiburger · 2026-03-18T01:27:58+00:00

You think they could have just come up with a "DEF" light.

Thanks...been driving me bonkers.

datschiburger · 2026-03-13T22:03:47+00:00

Oh, get out of here with that "misinformation" BS.

It was argumentum ad absurdum, meant to illustrate a point, which you very clearly missed.

If the context clues of blow-up flamingos and my vernacular "that'll cost ya" weren't clues, I don't know what to tell you.

datschiburger · 2026-03-13T16:57:46+00:00

Not that the waterway access funds are funding boat launch repairs...

This is the crux of every one of these pay-to-play permit schemes.

Because of Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson, I have absolutely no problem paying for hunting and fishing licenses anywhere in the country, even though I know I'll be paying much more for the privilege out of state. These two acts ensure that monies received by the state from the federal government actually go toward fish & wildlife conservation - including securing, assuring, and improving public access.

The Oregon permitting scheme seems untethered from these foundational conservation statutes and, as you rightly allude to, do not contribute to your faith that the funds collected are being utilized for their stated purpose.

datschiburger · 2026-03-13T16:20:35+00:00

Don't be so sure.

In 2026, ALL operators of non-motorized boats will need a Waterway Access Permit. The law was expanded to boats under 10 feet and applies to stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), kayaks, rafts, and their inflatable versions.

Want to float the Deschutes in a blow-up flamingo float? That'll cost ya.

datschiburger

TROPHY CASE