Near-DIR diving: Are there DIR things you would probably never do?

[ucfdiver]

Yes, the line goes below you. You can use your right hand as a "line guide" (although you couldn't on a scooter, so I'm not sure how that works when you get there). But scootering, of course, is the reason you're taught to use the reel in the left hand exclusively, so that when you DO get to a scooter, you don't have to change anything.

Ah, I hadn't even thought about a scooter, good point, ya learn something new every day. :11doh:

 

[cavediver08]

Well that clears up a few things.

 

[OneBrightGator]

Yes, the line goes below you. You can use your right hand as a "line guide" (although you couldn't on a scooter, so I'm not sure how that works when you get there). But scootering, of course, is the reason you're taught to use the reel in the left hand exclusively, so that when you DO get to a scooter, you don't have to change anything.

How many people do you think really scooter and run a reel simultaneously? You've done a decent number of dives here in Florida, do you think a scooter would aid or hinder in running a primary line at Ginnie or Little River? I have no experience outside Florida, but do you think a scooter would aid or hinder in MX?

This is one of my main issues with DIR. Yes, being able to scooter and lay line is essential if you're 20k back at 300'+ in Wakulla. Which, as of today, two people can do. Yet, you're basing your entire gear configuration around being able to do it. If you are not diving at the level the system is optimized for, which at least 90% of DIR divers aren't, then you are compromising.

 

[lamont]

How many people do you think really scooter and run a reel simultaneously? You've done a decent number of dives here in Florida, do you think a scooter would aid or hinder in running a primary line at Ginnie or Little River? I have no experience outside Florida, but do you think a scooter would aid or hinder in MX?

This is one of my main issues with DIR. Yes, being able to scooter and lay line is essential if you're 20k back at 300'+ in Wakulla. Which, as of today, two people can do. Yet, you're basing your entire gear configuration around being able to do it. If you are not diving at the level the system is optimized for, which at least 90% of DIR divers aren't, then you are compromising.

Yeah, nobody would ever run 1200' of line from shore to a wreck using a scooter or anything like that would they? That would just be *insane*.

 

[TSandM]

Personally, I think running line off a scooter sounds like a recipe for complete disaster . . . in MY hands! I can't honestly think of a time when I'd run line from a scooter, except maybe if I were good at it, and were going in to scooter a cave and wanted to run line to the primary. But maybe those guys kick that part . . . I wouldn't know; I'm not nearly there.

We have people in the PNW who are doing some exploration dives in the sound, and running line off scooters, though. And I'm not talking about the line running project, where it's run for its own sake.

 

[JeffG]

How many people do you think really scooter and run a reel simultaneously?

Done it.

 

[OneBrightGator]

Alright, so that's GI3, JJ, Casey and JeffG... bringing the grand total up too : drum roll: 4!!!!!!

Yeah, nobody would ever run 1200' of line from shore to a wreck using a scooter or anything like that would they? That would just be *insane*.

Um, yeah, it pretty much sounds like it. Do you not have boats or compasses in the PNW? Do you *have* to run a line, or do you just do it so you can be cool and then reel up that 1/4 mile of line?

 

[ucfdiver]

I think I'll stick to using the hand that works best, but I'm glad to at least know why others don't.

 

[nereas]

Personally, I think running line off a scooter sounds like a recipe for complete disaster . . . in MY hands! I can't honestly think of a time when I'd run line from a scooter, except maybe if I were good at it, and were going in to scooter a cave and wanted to run line to the primary. But maybe those guys kick that part . . . I wouldn't know; I'm not nearly there.

We have people in the PNW who are doing some exploration dives in the sound, and running line off scooters, though. And I'm not talking about the line running project, where it's run for its own sake.

With your light in your right hand while holding the scooter in your right hand also, then reeling out with your left hand is no problem. Reeling back in is harder. You need to let the line accumulate behind you first, then stop scootering, and reel it in to take up the slack. You always need to keep the scooter away from the line, because it can easily suck it into the prop.

I think of other things that are worse recipies for disaster:

1) 3 person buddy teams

2) no backup timer-gauge (other than being dependent on your buddy's)

3) single deco bottles (versus 2 of everything)

4) leaving your snorkel behind for open water diving

5) dry gloves

6) wearing multiple tanks all on one side

just to name a few; getting back to the original question.

 

[Bismark]

Alright, so that's GI3, JJ, Casey and JeffG... bringing the grand total up too : drum roll: 4!!!!!!


Um, yeah, it pretty much sounds like it. Do you not have boats or compasses in the PNW? Do you *have* to run a line, or do you just do it so you can be cool and then reel up that 1/4 mile of line?

It might be wiser for you to actually come up here and dive in our conditions rather than make comments which clearly indicate your lack of familiarity with our dive conditions. On the other hand, maybe you shouldn't, you might get lost