3/4 mile too far to swim?

[spectrum]

We frequently do that distance and more as a skin dive but that's without SCUBA gear including full ballast and heavier exposure protection. The surface swim alone would be one heck of a workout.

Depending on exposure protection depth and water temps the swim back could be chilling.

Depending on the settings I can visualize around here you may still be near people, just not public access. You may or may nor be able to hail assistance if in distress.

Boat traffic would be a concern, some places more than others, especially those personal watercraft.

One other thing I didn't notice mention of is avoiding strenuous activity post dive. That return swim amy be an issue.

Pete

I had a diver tell me, he wants to do a shore dive, but the spot he wanted to dive is 3/4 of a mile off shore, and wanted to swim out to it, then dive it, and then swim back. He said he was a strong swimmer. I thought "Get a Boat" but sometimes I forget thats not an option for everyone.

I could see someone doing it in perfect conditions, but even then I think it would be tough.

But I only drift and boat dive, I maybe have shore dove 2 times.

I told him that to me that seemed a little extreme to me, and I think it would be too much.

I know the spot he is talking about, it never gets deeper then 25 ft. in Lake Erie

But like I said, I really don't know, and was wondering from the shore divers, if I steered him in the wrong direction, or is 3/4 of a mile really not to extreme?

 

[jbd]

I had a diver tell me, he wants to do a shore dive, but the spot he wanted to dive is 3/4 of a mile off shore, and wanted to swim out to it, then dive it, and then swim back. He said he was a strong swimmer. I thought "Get a Boat" but sometimes I forget thats not an option for everyone.

I could see someone doing it in perfect conditions, but even then I think it would be tough.

But I only drift and boat dive, I maybe have shore dove 2 times.

I told him that to me that seemed a little extreme to me, and I think it would be too much.

I know the spot he is talking about, it never gets deeper then 25 ft. in Lake Erie

But like I said, I really don't know, and was wondering from the shore divers, if I steered him in the wrong direction, or is 3/4 of a mile really not to extreme?

I have seen people "swim" that far to a dive site and then back again after the dive. They used their BC as a float or raft and leisurely finned their way to the site they wanted to dive. If I'm not mistaken one guy even smoked a cigarette on the way back.

 

[matt_unique]

Distances we can easily visualize on land are very different on the water as well. It is amazing to me when my GPS on the boat reads 2 statute miles from a dive site that *seems* really close - almost swimming distance What we think of as 3/4's a mile on land could be 1.5 actual miles when looking over water. Perhaps you know the exact distance from shore in this case but it is deceptive.

--Matt

 

[Jason B]

I'm with Matt, when I was in the Navy, a ship 2 miles away looked like you could hit it by throwing a rock at it. It's hard to judge distance when you have no reference.

Jason

 

[Stryker]

Even still, I swam competitively for a LONNNNNG time, and our usual day consisted of about 15-20 miles in the pool... (had an olympic level coach.. BLAH!)... and I STILL wouldnt do this... not for fear of myself not making it, but like half the other people stated, doing the tired diver tow...

I have done shore dives here and gone out 3-400 yards and it doesnt seem that bad, but you also have to remember, boaters dont realize that there is a reef in that area, so you could surface and get smacked in the face by a Sea Ray.... :11:

Also dont forget, its not just about getting tired along the way... dont forget about getting fin foot and possibly cramps (even with split fins on a kick that long)....

 

[triton94949]

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[triton94949]

Even still, I swam competitively for a LONNNNNG time, and our usual day consisted of about 15-20 miles in the pool... (had an olympic level coach.. BLAH!)... and I STILL wouldnt do this... not for fear of myself not making it, but like half the other people stated, doing the tired diver tow...

I have done shore dives here and gone out 3-400 yards and it doesnt seem that bad, but you also have to remember, boaters dont realize that there is a reef in that area, so you could surface and get smacked in the face by a Sea Ray.... :11:

Also dont forget, its not just about getting tired along the way... dont forget about getting fin foot and possibly cramps (even with split fins on a kick that long)....

Well I think for yourself it would be no problem. 4 miles underwater with a CCR would also be no problem most likely. But I certainly would not recommend it for anyone else.

Good luck during your watch.

 

[dmmike]

I looked at it this way, a 3/4 mile swim, then a 60 minute dive at lest, then a 3/4 mile swim back. OH MY GOD :11: ....... I would have to pass on this one.

 

[Stryker]

If you are in some decent kind of physical shape (dont have to be a super athlete), and the conditions are calm (i.e. nothing FORCASTED) It could be a great dive since it is a very remote location... But even in the condition I USED to be in, it would have to be perfect conditions to even attempt it... Until you can do 1200 yards in the pool non stop (48 laps) WITH gear on, you should not even attempt something CLOSE to this....

Besides, spend $30-50 to rent a kayak... you will enjoy the dive alot more having rested legs when you get to the site....

 

[serapis]

Boat it, Kayak it, or forget it. That swim would just hurt.Unless your buddy does the ironman on a regular bassis.