Diving with Mike Nelson

[Jim Lapenta]

I once led a group of rescue students as a DM on the surface up to our instructor doing OW checkouts. Yep, we all had our masks on our foreheads. Coupled with me showing up with a vanity plate that says SOLO DVR, I had lots of fun with him.

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Just like with any BC. Stand behind it looking down, slip my arms in the straps, grab the tank, over the head most of the way. bend at the waist to let my back take some of the load, grab the neck and lower onto the shoulders. easy peasy.

 

[Guba]

I was a fireman for 27 years. Over-the-head is one of the standard ways we were trained to don our SCBA gear. It's possible he may have had similar training.

 

[g1138]

I struggle doing this with a BPW. Fine with a BC as I grab the tank band with one hand and the tank neck with the other. with a BP in the way it's not as easy. Can i ask how you do it?

Here's how I do it.
If you can't fit your whole arms through the straps while flipping it over (because your straps are too short for that), then wrap your hands around the tank or the backplate. Your arms should be through the shoulder straps up to your wrists or forearm. Squat and lift the BC up to rest the first stage between your knees. Check behind you then flip the BC over, squat low, lean forward, and rest the Bp on your head. Slide your arms through the straps and grab your first stage to lower the Bp onto you.
Be gentle on your head as those wingnuts can hurt.

 

[electrix]

I have seen the panicked student diver look several times but it was after they realized their mask was no longer on their forehead but on its way to the bottom, which gives me something else to do.

 

[dfx]

I was a fireman for 27 years. Over-the-head is one of the standard ways we were trained to don our SCBA gear. It's possible he may have had similar training.

That's good information there. I've only ever seen my instructor do that, and he was a fireman too.

 

[JamesK]

I have seen the panicked student diver look several times but it was after they realized their mask was no longer on their forehead but on its way to the bottom, which gives me something else to do.

LOL. Yeah, in any kind of surf/swells I just keep it on.

 

[tac747]

Thats how I was taught the first time I was certified in the 70's.

 

[drbill]

I see it occasionally at Casino Point Dive Park, but don't feel it is a safe way to don equipment (even though I started diving back in the Mike Nelson era). Maybe I'm just jealous because I could never do it myself?

 

[TomZ]

I was a fireman for 27 years. Over-the-head is one of the standard ways we were trained to don our SCBA gear. It's possible he may have had similar training.

During my first USAF enlistment in the mid-seventies I was a firefighter. We were trained the same way. SCBA equipment is a bit lighter than a SCUBA cylinder and BC w/ weights though. Leaning forward and squatting seemed to help. It's an efficient use of space and fast. Firehouse floors don't roll either. Good technique for firefighters, not so much for divers IMO.

 

[dead dog]

Whatever you may think of the way Mike put on his gear, you have to give him a lot of credit for making diving safer. Back when he was diving, there were all sorts of evil divers just waiting to cut your regulator hose. He took care of them all. You never see them today.

Has any one ever see Mile Nelson in a flotation device like a B.C., Horse Collar, Safety Vest or even a flotation balloon, anyone