Had a close call with a worn out umbilical last month

We were on a salvage job in the Gulf, about 30 feet down, when my main air supply started to flutter. I felt the pressure drop and my second stage started to breathe hard. I looked back and saw a section of my umbilical had been rubbing against a sharp piece of wreckage, wearing through the outer sheath and into the air hose. I signaled topside immediately and they started pulling me up, but that slow ascent felt like forever. The hose was bulging and I was just waiting for it to pop. We got it on deck and found a two inch section where you could see the inner liner. My tender said he checked it during the pre-dive but must have missed that spot. I now run my hand over every inch of that hose before I go in the water. What's your routine for checking umbilicals for hidden wear?

3 comments

3 Comments

jana_scott5d ago

That "slow ascent felt like forever" part gave me chills... glad you're okay.

carr.elliot4d ago

The slow climb is maybe two minutes max. People talk about it like some big spiritual test. It's just a cable pulling you up a hill.

wendy3915d ago

Wait, why did that part give you chills @jana_scott? To me that slow climb sounds like the most peaceful part, just hanging there before everything gets crazy again. I'd probably find it weirdly calming, not scary at all. Different strokes I guess.