Understanding Visibility

[J.R.]

The challenge is fun. I find having to keep constant depth as well as keep track of my buddy in no or low viz is a good challenge. Usually low viz where I am means strong surge so I have to deal with that and also the poor viz, so it teaches me a lot! It also makes you focus on smaller areas so you miss less. In normal viz, it is easy to just skim looking over rocks and pylons and reefs and things like that, were as if you can't see much you tend to go very close and see a heap of interesting things you might ordinarily miss I will dive in any kind of viz!

To the people who do not see the point of this thread, well I for one am finding it interesting to hear about what kind of viz people experience and different places

BINGO...

Two years ago Western Illinois University held their "underwater easteregg hunt"... 45 degree water and about 1 foot vis. My buddy was connected to me on a 10 foot buddy line... I always knew *exactly* where he was... "over there"... at the end of the line I couldn't see.

We knew the lake pretty well... stayed on the lines... used compass headings... solved problems. Actually finding an egg was a sweet sense of achievement.

Yup... it wasn't a "photo-op" dive... but it was every bit as much fun...

The challenge was what it was all about... well... that and the fun of diving with about 30 other folks who were all in the same situation you were... :cool2:

Even lima beans can taste good if they're prepared right...

 

[Buoyant1]

AS said already viz is relative. And diving enjoyment is relative! I can enjoy a dive in low to no viz as well as I can enjoy a dive with unlimited viz. 10 ft in my home quarry is awesome...10 ft in the Keys sucks, but (as my experience on Flaglers Barge last year) can be a great dive!

 

[Walter]

Do people dive in these conditions for fun?

Absolutely.

Why?

Because it's fun. Oh, you probably are looking to understand the goal of the dive. That varies, but my most common reason is finding fossils.

Wouldn't you see more in a swimming pool?

Not even close.

 

[spectrum]

Do people dive in these conditions for fun? Why? Wouldn't you see more in a swimming pool?

Critters get real brave in those sorts of conditions. Also the surprise of what lays just ahead can be a lot of fun. besides the time has been invested and the gear will need cleaning if you dive 5 minutes or 65 so you might as well make the best of it.

Pete

 

[Dtaine]

Critters get real brave in those sorts of conditions. Also the surprise of what lays just ahead can be a lot of fun. besides the time has been invested and the gear will need cleaning if you dive 5 minutes or 65 so you might as well make the best of it.

Pete

I'd agree. And besides, low visibility provides a great chance to work on nav skills.

 

[bdshort]

Where I dive, in southern Southeast Alaska

Perfect: 80+
Excellent : 60-80
Good: 40-60
Fair: 20-40
Poor: <20

 

[Guba]

Do we dive in 'those sorts of conditions'?

Well, around here, if we don't then we wouldn't be diving at ALL during some portions of the year. And my buddies and I can't stay out of the water that long or afford to go to a more exotic destination that much. So, we get out the buddy lines, make sure our lights have charged batteries, sharpen our compass skills, and head for the murk.

Hey, it's wet!

 

[Soggy_Diver]

For me, diving mostly in Great Lakes and quarries...

Perfect: 60+ (not literally perfect, but about the best I have seen)
Excellent : 35-60
Good: 10-35
Fair: 5-10
Poor: <5

 

[jridg]

As you can see already. Visibility varies quite a bit among divers, regions, and whatever else.

Reason for using 130' as the top of the scale is becuase this is the max recommended depth where most recreational folks can reach. Reason for using 1' as no vis is becuase anything less is undiveable. At this point - you might as close your eyes shut and go 100% by feel.

Done the dive by feel thing - doing a lake cleanup in Lake Ponchartrain. That was exactly like diving at night with your eyes closed. It was not un-diveable - but it was me and the instructor I was working with at the time - a good experience - didn't much enjoy it - but we had a time.....

 

[kathydee]

The challenge is fun. I find having to keep constant depth as well as keep track of my buddy in no or low viz is a good challenge. Usually low viz where I am means strong surge so I have to deal with that and also the poor viz, so it teaches me a lot! It also makes you focus on smaller areas so you miss less. In normal viz, it is easy to just skim looking over rocks and pylons and reefs and things like that, were as if you can't see much you tend to go very close and see a heap of interesting things you might ordinarily miss I will dive in any kind of viz!

BINGO...

Two years ago Western Illinois University held their "underwater easteregg hunt"... 45 degree water and about 1 foot vis. My buddy was connected to me on a 10 foot buddy line... I always knew *exactly* where he was... "over there"... at the end of the line I couldn't see.

We knew the lake pretty well... stayed on the lines... used compass headings... solved problems. Actually finding an egg was a sweet sense of achievement.

. well... that and the fun of diving with about 30 other folks who were all in the same situation you were... :cool2:

That varies, but my most common reason is finding fossils.

.

Critters get real brave in those sorts of conditions. Also the surprise of what lays just ahead can be a lot of fun. besides the time has been invested and the gear will need cleaning if you dive 5 minutes or 65 so you might as well make the best of it.

Pete

I'd agree. And besides, low visibility provides a great chance to work on nav skills.

Do we dive in 'those sorts of conditions'?

Well, around here, if we don't then we wouldn't be diving at ALL during some portions of the year. And my buddies and I can't stay out of the water that long or afford to go to a more exotic destination that much. So, we get out the buddy lines, make sure our lights have charged batteries, sharpen our compass skills, and head for the murk. !

Humm, thanks! It does sound much better than a pool ;-). Especially with cool courageous critters lurking about - I didn't think about that.

Had about 2ft vis or less a few times on shore dives but just circled up and held hands till we popped through the bottom into much better vis. - it was surrealistic, kind of like a night dive in semi-murky water or being engulfed in the blue. In a way beautiful but also disorientating - can see why it is a good opportunity to practice nav skills ;-).

I am considering diving local and vis can be 1 so just wanted to see what your motives are as I could not understand the intrigue ;-). The Easter egg hunt sounds fun! And the buddy line a fantastic idea one I am sure is very useful!-THANKS!

Fossil hunting in FLA is deffinately on my short list next time I visit my folks down there--good to know vis is not important ;-).