Max depth 26 m, bottom time 41 min.
Visibility 10 m, bottom temp 19 C.
Buddy: Dyanna (divemaster).
Fourth dive on the Swan with Cape Dive.
Surface conditions becoming more choppy, but still relatively easy.
More fun exploring the wreck interior.
Towards end of dive, I was buddied up with the same diver as in previous dive, again because we still had plenty of air left, and Dyanna had to escort some others to the surface. When we were preparing to ascend, my new buddy suddenly decided to go back into the wreck. Ignored signals. He had no computer, only a depth gauge. My computer showed No Deco Limit approaching at that depth. (During the surface interval this guy had claimed he did not need a dive computer, just pressure and depth gauges, but obviously did not plan his depth profile.) Eeyaargh. I followed him inside, not sure whether to leave him to take his own risk, but decided it would look bad if he drowned and I wasn't nearby. Watched him descend further into the wreck (!!!) then exit through a hole in the bow. He did not appear to look at his depth gauge during this adventure. I exited, my computer now indicating decompression required. Caught my "buddy"'s eye and frantically signalled "ascend", which he finally did, though without acknowledging the signal. We ascended to 5m (he faster than me) where my computer indicated 7 minutes total deco. "Buddy" returned my OK signal. I signalled in direction of deco bottle and swam over to it. Buddy hesitated, remained at his original place and surfaced after 3 minutes, presumably with little air left. I waited until I had just over 50 bar, and switched to deco bottle. Instructor Geoff Paynter came over to check all was OK and advised me to give it an extra 5 minutes after the computer cleared. Surfaced slowwwwwly after 12 minutes at 5 metres.
I resisted the urge to chew the buddy's ear off but made my dissatisfaction plain. In retrospect I should not have accepted this buddy again without agreeing on some rules during the surface interval.
Talked to Geoff and Dyanna about the right course of action. They convinced me it is better to look after yourself, (along the lines of the `D' in DR. ABC) and not to take any extra risk to protect your buddy. In that situation it is better to leave the buddy to his own devices; the buddy is taking risks and the buddy arrangement has broken down. After all, he can't be relied on to help me. The divemaster would have an even more difficult job if two people were injured.
air: in 240, out 50 (plus 8 min on deco bottle)
rubber: Radiator, 5mm hooded vest, 5mm wetsuit
tank: 95 cu ft aluminium
weight: 18 lb.