I don't have alot of money for all of the hobbies that I have and the things I need to do.
![Boo hoo! :-({|=](./images/smilies/eusa_boohoo.gif)
![Shame on you [-X](./images/smilies/eusa_naughty.gif)
Today I dove Waldo Lake in Oregon off hwy 58 2hrs east of Eugene. The first dive went great and the four of us had a good dive. We got down to 70 feet and even felt the thermocline drop from 64F to 46F.
After a long surface interval, three of of got back in for a deep dive. One was going to keep to his limits of 90 feet and he stayed with us at his comfort zone. Me and my dive buddy were going to go deeper.
When we got to 90feet, my buddies regulator began to freeflow, so he gto on his pony and had me turn off his tank to let the regulator thaw. I was in 100% control and understood what he wanted and we were off in a minute or two. (i was NARKED) my head had felt "strange" from probably 80 feet and deeper until I had my technical problem.
![d'oh! #-o](./images/smilies/eusa_doh.gif)
I started to feel a small stream of bubbles running down the center of my chest and got my buddies attention, we started to head back up alittle and my air went from 3000 psi to 2000 psi in a QUICK amount of time. He gave me his pony reg and was dealing with my freeflowing regulator and; what I can remember; I felt like I was running out of air. Your head knows what a breath "feels" like, well my breaths felt like they were getting smaller and I started to panic to the point that wanted to bolt to the surface; but being at 130 feet with empty lungs I pulled the reg out of my buddies mouth . He grabbed the pony and it breathed fine and then handed me my now thawed and fixed regulator.
He wanted to continue diving or dive back to the surface but with my air down to 1000-1700+- psi I wanted to get to the surface. We were going to dive his computer and I was still breathing hard (and not in the condition to follow my computer) but did get myself under control and we made a safe deco stop accent. At 30 feet I started "burping" all the air I hyperventilated, that was fun.
All three of us made it back safe.
1. I had the little voice tell me to take my serviced regulator that had an octopus second stage.
2. I have never felt narked before.
3. We had 5 regulators and 3 tanks.
4. I had one tank and one second stage, not good for my buddy...IF
If I used my serviced long hose we probaly would have had a cool uneventiful high altitude dive.
THE MORAL
listen to your instincts, if you are thinking about a gear change or even aborting you can probably save your life if not physically then mentally. Be prepared to help your self and your buddy by having the right equipment that is safe to use. You can't get expereance with out diving, but ask questions before you attempt a challenging dive(or take a class
![book :book:](./images/smilies/book1.gif)
I have posted this to keep everybody aware of the problems that can arise in this fun sport. For people to think about the gear that they use and the condition and maintenance schedules. (any reg can freeflow at about anytime) For buddys to talk about the what ifs when... live study and learn