Any tips for swimming against a surface current?

[DiverDAD!]

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for swimming against a current? I haven't had to deal with a significant one yet in my (mostly) Caribbean diving.

I'm trying to work up to doing some shallow Atlantic wreck dives, and the friends I plan to dive with say there's often a significant current at the surface, especially when swimming from the entry point forward along the tag line to the anchor line before descending.

I'm comfortable in the water, but not a very strong swimmer, and was wondering how to best proceed and avoid overexertion?

Thanks.

 

[ScubaSteve]

How much do you verifiably know about the site? Do you know that there is a surface current? Do you know if there is a current beneath the surface? To minimze the surface current issue you would simply descend and the current would typically be more manageable. However if this is a NEW site to you the my suggestion would be to dive it with someone who is intimately familiar with it until you are comfortable to do it on your own (with you buddy I mean). With the knowledge that you are not a strong swimmer, they would be able to determine the best way to approach the site.

 

[Scott M]

Swimming against a current is work wether it is on the surface or under water. Good fins, stream lined gear and being physically fit all will help. I don't know that there is any method that makes it easier. If you can drop down a bit to get under it that might help but if the current is deep there probably is not a lot you can do other than take your time and swim steadily which works best for me. I found the swim hard and rest a little to be much more demanding than setting a pace.

Regards

 

[diver 85]

Are you saying there is a line available from the entry point to the anchor line?.....If this is the case, just hand over hand to the anchor line, it can't be that difficult IMO......Give more info please........

 

[ScubaSteve]

Are you saying there is a line available from the entry point to the anchor line?.....If this is the case, just hand over hand to the anchor line, it can't be that difficult IMO......Give more info please........

Good Point. I misread that line. Hand over hand makes for rather a simple dive albeit less exciting IMHO.

 

[Walter]

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for swimming against a current?................ especially when swimming from the entry point forward along the tag line to the anchor line before descending.

Don't swim beside the line. The purpose of the line is to make swimming against the current unnecessary. Pull yourself along the line hand over hand. If the current is too strong for that, abort the dive.

I haven't had to deal with a significant one yet in my (mostly) Caribbean diving.

Currents in the Caribbean can be quite strong.

 

[Scott M]

Whoops I missed that also. Yup hand over hand slow and easy.

 

[Nemrod]

The answer to your question lies in the question itself, you said,

"I'm comfortable in the water, but not a very strong swimmer, and was wondering how to best proceed and avoid overexertion?"

The simple answer is that you either need to become a strong swimmer or you will have problems including over exertion and will always fear currents as a result. The best fins in the world will do you no good if you cannot kick them effectively.

N

 

[dpbishop]

Current lines are common in boat dives at areas with strong currents. They do require a certain amount of strength to use; also tight fitting gloves with a good grip. If they use polypropylene it can be slippery. When you hit bottom, stay close to it so you can pull yourself into the lee of the wreck or reef to get out of the current. Leave yourself plenty of air to find the anchor line for your ascent, you don't want to make a free ascent in a current. Drift back to the stern with the current line in your hands. Take a SMB. Have fun.

 

[spectrum]

Nemrod made a good point that your legs need to be in shape for it or you're in trouble before you start. Frequent scuba diving or skin-diving in the intended fins are the best way to egt there.

I have found that when I'm in a significant current I need to tell myself that it's time to swim. Set the "kick glide" suff asside an concentrate on strong solid fin strokes and the respiration to support it.

Usng the rope initended as a downline works. Be prepared to decide at some point that this just isn't any fun or it isn't safe.

I had one such drop down the rope like a flag in the wind that got abborted and once we regrouped on the boat I passed on getting back in.

Pete