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LESSONS FROM THE DEEP

Published August 04, 2011

WAITING TO INHALE - After nearly drowning, 2nd Lt. Naomi Hume shares a lighter moment with her rescuer and dive partner, 2nd Lt. Aaron Hoff, at a critical care unit in Tallahassee, Fla. (Photo by Courtesy of 2nd Lt. Aaron Hoff)
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WAITING TO INHALE - After nearly drowning, 2nd Lt. Naomi Hume shares a lighter moment with her rescuer and dive partner, 2nd Lt. Aaron Hoff, at a critical care unit in Tallahassee, Fla. (Photo by Courtesy of 2nd Lt. Aaron Hoff)

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  • Wear ALL your personal protective gear. If we had worn diving gloves, the sea urchin spines would not have been an issue, and the whole incident probably would have been averted.
  • Pay close attention to training. We lacked experience and made mistakes; but in the end, our training saved us.
  • Stay with your group. We hesitated and lost our way. But at least we still had each other. Never dive alone. Keep your wingman close.
  • Know the basics of your equipment and its limitations. Our equipment ultimately saved us, but our lack of knowledge of it also put us in some situations from which we nearly didn't recover.
  • Take high-risk activities seriously. Nobody is bulletproof.
­-- 2nd Lt. Aaron Hoff