Crafting Decisions for Successful Results
The essential steps needed for the making of safe and wise choices.
Tragedy and near tragedy in seeking deep water adventure
The recent heartbreaking incident involving the research diving submersible, which killed its crew, including a paying passenger and his son, stirred up memories of my close calls from daring adventures in my youth. I’m still not sure what drove me to take these risks, be it a youthful spirit, a need for acceptance from my athletic peers, or an urge to prove my masculinity, bravery, or self-worth. My first scuba diving experience was a deep dive in a rock quarry lake with some of my lifeguard buddies, which may not have been the wisest choice.
I had my diving gear approved and serviced at a nearby dive shop. I had taken a scuba diving course and rehearsed with the group set to go on the dive. We practiced in a pool where we were all lifeguards and knew how to swim proficiently. Since the dive in the open and deep water was new to me, I was significantly on edge. To accommodate my nerves, I thought of the preparation I had put in and figured that nothing could turn out badly. My companions, particularly the group leader, had more knowledge than the rest of us and kept on instilling confidence in us, “Everything will be alright; just follow my lead, inhale, and remain quiet.” I don’t think I accurately evaluated the danger, as probably the case for the travelers on the horrendous Titanic dive in a supposed secure submersible deep diving vessel.
We had gone to a rock quarry lake in a rural area, and it was colder than expected. Our diving suits were insulated and challenging to get into, but our masks had airtight seals, and our tanks were full of freshly oxygenated air. We were aware of the risks of ascending or descending too fast and the potential for oxygen poisoning or the “bends.” We also had diving watches to track our time underwater and returning to the surface. Our dive leader took us to our planned depth, pausing to allow the ear pressure to adjust. I felt increasingly relaxed until our guide became frantic, pointing to my nose in my mask. There was blood trickling down, and we had to ascend carefully. As we got closer to the surface, I felt better, but when we emerged, I became dizzy with things spinning around and assisted to shore. This experience left me feeling dizzy when there was a rapid change in pressure. I still get slight vertigo when I fly, probably because of a middle ear injury from my first scuba diving experience.
Despite having a terrible experience with my first rock quarry dive, I mistakenly believed that I was better prepared and safer the next time. My subsequent dives were in shallower waters and went well. However, many years later, on vacation, I found myself in an even more daunting situation. At a resort in the Caribbean offering a deep scuba dive with a French diver who had been part of Jacques Cousteau’s team, my wife wisely chose not to partake while I, overestimating my ability, took the plunge. What I didn’t expect was that the dive leader would take us to a much deeper depth than I was prepared for, with the added difficulty of a language barrier where explicit instruction and preparation were lacking.
The diver in charge led our descent at a slow pace, allowing us to adjust to the pressure. Glancing up from the depths, I grew anxious; the surface seemed so far away. My breathing became rapid, and the leader motioned for me to calm down. When he noticed I had run out of air, he gestured that we should ascend slowly, alternating breaths from his mouthpiece and tank. Fortunately, I had been taught how to alternate breathing with another person in case of emergency; I did not experience any of the symptoms I had during my first deep dive. Had I passed this test, or was it another ill-advised venture?
The Purposes of Understanding and the Reasons Behind Our Decisions
The moral of this story is to make sure that you are aware of all the details of a planned experience. In my last deep dive experience, I had not been informed before the dive that the leader did not speak English, resulting in inadequate preparation. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid big adventures where you don’t know the language or to learn French, as in my case, before embarking on a dive with a French scuba diver without a translator. Although some may view this as a beneficial way to overcome fear, it was not the case for me, as it only served to increase the trauma of participating in an ill-conceived, dangerous activity. Now, I am content to stay on solid ground, swim on the surface of the water, snorkel, or just enjoy a relaxing soak in a warm bathtub.
I have gained insight into the risks of getting caught up in a hazardous situation following my experience with a potentially life-threatening situation. Injuries, whether mental or physical, can result from any traumatic occurrence. The complexity of the contributing factors of the fateful Titanic voyage is a reminder of the risks of deciding without thoroughly investigating.
My attention was drawn to a tale of a millionaire and his son who went on an expedition to explore the Titanic wreckage, only to have their submersible implode because of the extreme pressures of the ocean’s depths, leading to their untimely death. Recollecting my narrow escape from a scuba diving misadventure, the event served as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of understanding the motivations and influences that drive our choices and decisions. This tragedy further strengthened my commitment to examine the deeper aspects of my mind to appreciate reality’s true nature better.
Food for Thought:
- Being indecisive and stuck between choices can lead to chronic problems and a buildup of frustration and emotions like fear and anger, which can be detrimental to physical and emotional health, relationships, and productivity.
2. When planning a trip or adventure, be sure to take necessary precautions for safety. Carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of the situation and ensure transparency and clarity in the details given to you and that you understand them.
3. It is essential to be mindful of intense stresses or pressures that can be destructive to mental or physical health. The stress and pressures on oneself can be from outside influence or internal mental struggles and conflicts. So perhaps there is some comparison to the external sea pressures destroying the submersible on its deep sea dive to view the Titanic. Take advantage of self-care practices to promote health and well-being, such as meditation, mindfulness, awareness-strengthening practices, and regular exercise.
4. Lastly, if you find yourself overwhelmed and confused when considering a change or stuck in decision-making, consider finding an experienced and trustworthy professional to help explore the issues and find clarity. Finding help can be essential in helping make wise decisions and getting out of complicated situations.
See Dr. Parks’ article, The Reality of Decision Making, at https://www.inmindwise.com/p/the-reality-of-decision-making-and.
References about the tragic dive to view the Titanic wreckage:
1. The New York Times article of July 1, 2023, entitled “I Know What Drives People to the Depths of the Ocean,” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/01/opinion/ocean-exploration.html?smid=nytcore-android-share discusses what motivates people to explore the depths of the ocean.
2. Rubik’s Cube, Warm Socks, and Excited Expectation: The Final Hours of the Titan: Five explorers ventured into the Titan submarine with the aspiration of being included in the exclusive few who have seen the wreck of the Titanic up close. However, within a few hours, their text messages ceased. Article in The New York Times July 2, 2023, by Branch and Goldbaum https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/02/us/titan-submersible-passengers.html?smid=nytcore-android-share.
3. This week, those attending Titanic-related exhibitions, shows, and films had the recent tragedy foremost in their minds. The New York Times reported on the event: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/23/arts/titanic-exhibition-show-titan.html?smid=nytcore-android-share. Despite its century-long history, the sinking of the Titanic remains a topic of fascination and exploration.
4. The account of the Titan Submersible is far from over. The New York Times article June 27, 2023: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/opinion/oceangate-submersible-titan-tragedy.html?smid=nytcore-android-share.
5. The Conversation Newsletter June 23, 2023, “Danger, Prestige, and Authenticity Draw Thrill-Seekers to Adventure Tourism,” examines the combination of academic rigor and journalistic flair that drives people to partake in such activities. https://theconversation.com/danger-prestige-and-authenticity-draw-thrill-seekers-to-adventure-tourism-208353.
