Horizontal Obsession

[boulderjohn]

If would like to take the risk of rephrasing some of what was said earlier without getting accused of some sort of disruptive behavior. I would especially like to rephrase it in relation to ascents and descents.

It was suggested that some people do their ascents and descents (and other diving) horizontally even when it it is not really necessary but rather because they are blindly following a rule imposed upon them by their training organizations.

As someone who was indeed taught to do ascents and descents horizontally by two different training organizations, I would find it interesting to hear others who have been so trained respond to that suggestion.

 

[boulderjohn]

I don't know why this is labeled an "obsession," but I remember from PADI OW that the natural, or default position underwater should be horizontal. One of my SSI friends said the same about his OW class, so it sounds less like any obsession and more like what many people are simply taught from the beginning.

Because I remember the discussion in the thread that triggered this thread, I will risk responding to the use of the term "obsession" in relation to this thread.

Yes, everyone is taught to use horizontal trim while doing normal diving. Some people are not well trained and do not achieve that ideal, but that is not the purpose of this thread.

There are many times when even well trained divers will intentionally leave horizontal trim during a dive. The most obvious example is during descent and ascents. Look at a group doing a safety stop and you will rarely see anyone horizontal.

In contrast, there is a perception that some divers are obsessive about being horizontal in all situations, even when it is not necessarily needed for the dive. Captain was asking people why they do this, I believe.

 

[Gombessa]

It was suggested that some people do their ascents and descents (and other diving) horizontally even when it it is not really necessary but rather because they are blindly following a rule imposed upon them by their training organizations.

Interesting. When I took my resort OW course, I was pretty much blinding following whatever rules were imposed. By the time I took further classes, much of the class was spent by the instructor patiently answering all the questions and challenges I had for him about why certain things were done certain ways. It's been my personal observation that people who take such classes are really the ones who think about the issues and ask the hard questions. It's unfortunate, if understandable and somewhat ironic, that people watching from the outside would mistake the evaluation and acceptance of a rigorously thought-out, logically persuasive, and well-defended practice with "blindly following" whatever an agency/organization says.

 

[Gombessa]

In contrast, there is a perception that some divers are obsessive about being horizontal in all situations, even when it is not necessarily needed for the dive.

Well, that's certainly interesting. I have never seen anyone fitting this description, but then again I haven't been diving nearly as long as Captain has.

 

[boulderjohn]

a rigorously thought-out, logically persuasive, and well-defended practice

Perhaps you would be so kind as to summarize this for the benefit of those who see it otherwise.

(Please note that I am trying to steer this thread back on course; I have had such training myself, so I am not personally mounting a challenge.)

 

[Randy43068]

I go vertical when rising the last 2-3-4 feet when in the river or lake. I want to look around for boats and anything else overhead. Otherwise I stay flat as I can manage.

 

[boulderjohn]

I was taught that you should be vertical during ascents with one hand raised above your head and slowly turn in circles so you don't bump into another diver or the boat on the surface. Being horizontal while diving causes less drag and uses less air.

Yes, that is the normal OW instruction.

On the other hand, others have been taught to do the ascents and descents horizontally, and the purpose of this thread, unless I misunderstood Captain's point, is to understand why.

 

[Blackwood]

Whatever floats your boat is good with me.

N

I enjoy water too.

 

[Blackwood]

If would like to take the risk of rephrasing some of what was said earlier without getting accused of some sort of disruptive behavior. I would especially like to rephrase it in relation to ascents and descents.

It was suggested that some people do their ascents and descents (and other diving) horizontally even when it it is not really necessary but rather because they are blindly following a rule imposed upon them by their training organizations.

As someone who was indeed taught to do ascents and descents horizontally by two different training organizations, I would find it interesting to hear others who have been so trained respond to that suggestion.

I've been trained that way, but I started doing it before said training. My initial training was to get "nice and negative" and swim up. I found that to be cumbersome and soon after started experimenting. I found that remaining in the prone position was easier to control and less tiring.

 

[captain]

Because I remember the discussion in the thread that triggered this thread, I will risk responding to the use of the term "obsession" in relation to this thread.

Yes, everyone is taught to use horizontal trim while doing normal diving. Some people are not well trained and do not achieve that ideal, but that is not the purpose of this thread.

There are many times when even well trained divers will intentionally leave horizontal trim during a dive. The most obvious example is during descent and ascents. Look at a group doing a safety stop and you will rarely see anyone horizontal.

In contrast, there is a perception that some divers are obsessive about being horizontal in all situations, even when it is not necessarily needed for the dive. Captain was asking people why they do this, I believe.

Exactly, the key word is ALWAYS= 100% of the time