? on back inflation

[pasley]

That sounds like a very interesting class.

Out of curiosity, how does you diving or simulating rescue without the use of your legs prepare you to dive with a paraplegic diver?

The short answer is it gave us confidence in the ability of our dive buddy to truly be our dive buddy and perform a rescue if necessary and insight into the challenges the paraplegic/double amputee will face if they have to rescue us. The exercise of the rescue emphasized to me the need to keep the distance to boat or shore short and secondly that my beloved backplate and wing does present additional challenges in this scenario.

The class was interesting and intense. 3 very long and full days. Day 1 academics learning about the types of disabilities, special considerations, terminology, etc. Day two, academics and then into the pool for 7 straight hours (day ended at 10:00 p.m.) practicing skills and learning how to overcome challenges. Day Three, open water in the ocean practicing diving and beach entries and of course the final exam.

We trained on how to be a dive buddy and/or instructor to paraplegic, quadriplegic, amputee, deaf and blind divers. Specifically on how to make diving accessible to the them, how to safely dive with them and our roll as their dive buddy and any special considerations. SCUBA is a terrific sport in that once in the water many handicapped divers can be "just another SCUBA diver".

We all took turns in the pool and ocean as paraplegics, quadriplegic and blind divers (black skirted mask with multiple layers of duct tape on the lens). This roll playing provided both training aids to the dive instructor/dive buddy in training and the opportunity to briefly see life from their prospective. It also gave us confidence in our handicapped dive buddy's ability to rescue us, since they are of course MY dive buddy and responsible for rescuing me. When diving with a quadriplegic I am required to bring along a third diver (HSA Dive Buddy Certified or at a minimum Rescue level diver) to act as my dive buddy.

The Handicapped SCUBA Association (HSA) was established in 1981 in Southern California and is international in scope with several thousand certifications issued. Visit Handicap Scuba Association for more information.

 

[FF-EMT Diver]

Thanks Pasley for the info on that class I think I will look into it in my area when I get more exp. While not handicapped myself I enjoy helping others who are.

 

[AbyssalPlains]

to help myself out I moved most of my wieght to the back pockets leaving about 1-2lbs in each front pocket which are my emergency dump pockets,

:no

But you can really come up FAST by inflating.

:no

Big No-No's unless you want to be greeted by your EMT colleagues after the dive....

 

[pasley]

Thanks Pasley for the info on that class I think I will look into it in my area when I get more exp. While not handicapped myself I enjoy helping others who are.

Please do. They do require you to have 60 dives or so. I took the course specifically because the military is teaching their disabled veterans to do adventure sports to give them confidence that the handicap does not define them, it only defines one aspect of their life and they can do almost anything they want including SCUBA, skiing (water and snow) etc. Now I am helping as a dive buddy a two HSA certified instructors teaching a class at our local VA to disabled vets. Very rewarding.

 

[ruready7]

I have a back inflation and do not find my face pushed towards the water if I just use enough air to stay at surface. If I overfill the BCD then my face is pushed forward. If you are having problems with staying horizontal in the water... try sliding tank up higher on your BCD. It worked for me and I only have about 1/4 my weight in my trim pockets...rest is dumpable if the need arises....FWIW

 

[Blackwood]

The short answer is it gave us confidence in the ability of our dive buddy to truly be our dive buddy and perform a rescue if necessary and insight into the challenges the paraplegic/double amputee will face if they have to rescue us.

Ah, I didn't realize you were buddied up with someone. Makes perfect sense.

I'm definitely going to look into that.

 

[ZzzKing]

My point is, to help myself out I moved most of my wieght to the back pockets leaving about 1-2lbs in each front pocket which are my emergency dump pockets,

When I used to dive a back inflate this is what I tried to do, also. Get rid of as much weight as you can so you have a nice, balanced rig and then just put enough in front to achieve neutral buoyancy on the surface if necessary. Usually 2-4lbs. The result was that 60-75% of my weight was in the back. I usually threaded it onto the cam bands which gave me a little control over trim. (top or bottom band) The added benefit is that the weight is a little farther back and helps cancel out the buoyancy of an empty aluminum tank better. There are little pouches that are available for this too, (XS Scuba?) but threading the weights onto the cam bands is free and easy to do if you just want to check it out.

Tobin is right, as usual, you shouldn't need much air in your BC on the surface. OTOH, if it's set up right, you can just lean back as you inflate the thing and it will pick you up a little and float you like you're sitting in a Barcolounger. I'm able to inflate mine till air comes out the OPV without it pushing me forward.

I think you're on the right track. Just keep working it.

 

[Bob Vincent]

If your BC is forcing you forward you are probably overweighted, and over inflating the BC. If you are properly weighted you only need a "puff" in your BC to be comfortable at the surface.




Rapid ascents are a good way to get hurt, and should be avoided. Some time spent with an instructor working on Slooow ascents could be time well spent.

Tobin

This is 100% right! Alot of divers over inflate a back inflate BC pushing them face forward. Try less air at the surface. Most people put their weights forward on their sides ... having weights loaded in the back tend to try and roll you. Like a pair of ice skates standing on the narrow blades it's easy to be forced one way or another. But if you was standing in your shoes ... you get the point.

For the weights to be loaded in the quick release pockets ... YEAH ... in an emergency you need to get the weight out and gone period ... weights are cheap compared to an injury are worse. Your an EMT do you think the people that had stupid accidents that should of not happened was avoidable ... same thing don't try to reinvent the wheel.

And for using your BCD to power your way to the surface ... I won't even go there. Ask your instructor.

 

[Jrock1062]

As Merri said I like to lay on my back at the surface almost like i am in a lounge chair. If I am in warm water I only need about 4 pnds so thats no big deal.Cold water diving though, I attach 40% of the weight i will need to the harness in the back up by my shoulders helps with trim and can entirely remove a weight belt