Got A Ring. Almost Lost A Friend.

[GoldFever]

Here is the ring I eyeballed today while diving. It was a very bad day today. See DanDan's post to hear all about it.

This is Cut And Copied From Dan's Post..

A series of unfortunate events or how Goldfever saved my life today
« on: Today at 04:30:16 PM »
Quote

Hi all! This is a rather long post but it's worth the read.GF and I went out this morning with his dad on GF's boat to try out the new side scan that he built. Beautiful morning and the scan worked perfectly. We pulled the boat and went to a spot that we've been working, but in a different area. From the minute we got in the water it seems we had some kind of hex on us. Pulled out from the dock and the shift lever broke . OK no big deal. Cruised to the spot and started diving. Nice dive in which GF eyeballed a 14k ring! We pulled anchor and headed for another spot. Saw what looked like a good spot so we anchored up again. Tossed my tank and BC into the water and jumped in. Immediately blew a regulator hose. OK since I was going to be the only one going in I switched regs w/GF. "How deep is it?" I asked. "We've only got about 12-15 ft of anchor line out" Cool! Nice easy one. About 2ft of visibility. "I'll be back" Let the air out of my BC and down I went. (P.S. this is my first yr of diving) Should be getting to the bottom... darker, darker still no bottom. Pitch black, big ear and nose squeeze, finally the bottom. Couldn't see a D--n thing! What does the new guy (Me) do? Starts panicing . I want up!! Tried to collect myself... think think.. Im going UP before I've even finished my thinking. Didn't know how deep I was, couldn't see the dive computer, thought I was going up slower than my bubbles. I was wrong. I got to the top and said "Way to deep and way to dark for me!" GF says "How deep were you?" I don't know . He takes one look at the comp. and says "You gotta go back down.. NOW!!! My first thought? NO WAY!! I'm in a panic!! GF jumps in the water w/me yells" Give me my weights!" Grabs the secondary regulator and starts dragging me DOWN!! He's saying "Time sensitive" and looking me right in the eye. Right then it sunk in. I'm in trouble. down we go, him w/no mask, no BC and holding his weight belt in his hand. Now real fear is setting in for me. He ends up dropping the belt after a few minutes because it wont let us (Him )control our descent or ascent. Everything in me is saying up! He's pushing me down. After a few minutes I was starting to calm down enough to start breathing in deep breaths instead of gasping. Up we start to go, stop, decompress, stop. Those minutes were the longest I've ever endured. GF kept cool. He did what had to be done and I'm sure he saved me from an agonizing death from the bends. Turned out we were anchored on the edge of an underwater ravine! I owe him a debt of gratitude that I hope I never have to return in like kind. The comparitively small cost was his weight belt and my swim fins. P.S. as we left he lost his cell phone to boot. He stayed with me until the danger was past, talking me down from my panic attack afterwards. Howard, truly, I owe you my life and my daughter still has a father. Dan

[bigbillinsc]

TQ members are the best any where... WTG on the save goldfever. a some what bad day could have turned out much worse if not for your quick thinking and experiance.

cool find on the ring toooo

dan glad you didnt get the bends and are still around to make some cool post...

i say it was a lucky day for all concerned.

happy huntin

[IronClad]

Smart and Quick thinking there GF,,, you definetely saved his life.

I've been a Qualified Diver since 1979, and I understand fully the Dangers involved in the sport.

You guys got LUCKY this time...PLEASE DO NOT dive alone next time.

[JCWhite]

Today you are the man GoldFever. I am damn proud of you and glad you are one of our TQ family. JC

[Kentfb]

Wow that was close. Quick level headed decissions on your part GF. Glad to see you both are ok.

[julieburger]

That is why a dive partner is so important. Thank you for being there.

[Steve in PR]

Whoa!! That's scary but I am glad it wasn't any worse! I can understand the panic he felt but I am sure glad you were there GF to set it right. That was heroic....

[MinelabMan]

What everyone else said, an heroic act. Glad that you're both still here to hunt another day!

[EPC Guy]

Very quick and level-headed thinking GF - I'm glad you were there!

[EBCIII]

WOW! That is some wild reading! Glad that you were around GF. I am also glad it worked out, good job, Beale.