Arrest uncontrolled ascent by perforating BC: opinions?

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If you are trying to cut your BC to let the air out you need to do it near the top. The problem is that your neck is also there. Cutting veins and arteries is a bad thing.

Keep breathing i.e. exhale mostly
 
continuing on.


Keep breathing
Disconnect the inflator hose
Keep breathing
Control bouyancy
Keep breathing
Check for other problems like missed deco or other
Keep breathing
Deal with any other problems
Keep breathing
Terminate the dive
Keep breathing
Have equipment serviced
Keep breathing

Notice anything that looks important in that list?
 
I would just disconnect the hose. You can still do it with thick gloves...it's a gross motor movement. Some OW classes have students do this, some don't. I can't think of any situation in which cutting the bladder would be a solution.
 
WaveMan1978:
Fred,
That makes good sense. I was concerned about the difficulty of disconnecting the inflate hose, under stress, with a glove on...but I haven't tried to do that yet. The "yank and shank" maneuver seemed to be more of a gross motor movement...and these tend to be much easier to pull off under extreme stress (this is my understanding from other pursuits unrelated to diving). Again, the whole idea was purely speculation on my part. I will practice the technique you advised (note: it was not taught in YMCA OW course).

2 points. First most, if not all BCD's can vent faster than they fill. For kicks press the inflate and deflate buttons simultaneously in shallow water (a few metres) and see how long it takes to force an uncontrolled ascent. You have weeks, if not months, to deal with the problem of a stuck inflator if your first action is to just press the deflate button.

2n'd point is with a little practice it's peanuts.

R..
 
WaveMan1978:
In your opinion, would this be a valid technique in a serious uncontrolled ascent emergency? Why, or why not?

QUOTE]

Hi
Good on you to think about it before it happens, Cudos for that !
if you have a question ask them, sooner or later you will have someone answer them for you, I personally belive that any question is good to ask, unless its a joke question....

There is some problems that we in the coldwater regions have to think about, when you dive in -1 C degree water at deapth and -17 C in the air, freezing comes very easy,
when you breath and you fill your vest and or drysuit you cool down the first stages, but also every other part of the diving equipment that comes in contact with the air. such as the second stage and the inflator for the BCD and the dry suit.

I have personally had a frozen drysuit inflator, I could not even rach the end of the hose since it was embedded in a block of ice, the block was about as big as twice my fist.

how do you resolv it ? that depends on what equipment you have, I dive doubles so I can just shut down the offending post and the problem will go away by itself in a matter of time (ice melting), or I can resolv the problem immediatly (hack the ice away and let the remaining ice melt) or just shine my halogen lamp on it from a short distance and the ice will certainly melt !

if you dive singles as I would suppose you do you would hopefully have your buddy or a pony bottle in the near vincinity, one thing you could do is,
either dump the air out of the BCD with the dump valve, trying to match the inkoming air to not rocket to the surface.. remember that air expands when preasure is releaved..

another thing you could do wich is both more dangerous, and needs more skills and moverability is shut down your post BUT KEEP YOUR HAND ON THE VALVE KNOB, or let your buddy do that for you and fix the ice problem then reconect and abort the dive. breathe either the pony or your buddys octo, but gently... if your buddy shuts down the valve then make shure you can look them in the eyes all the time so they can understand if they need to turn it on again...

however if the freeflow problem comes from salt partickles and / or bad maintennance then just remove the hose, and attach it again a couple of times to see if the problem goes away, if it does, fine, abort the dive service your gear if it doesnt abort the dive and service your gear.

either way, practice practice practice
 
Diver0001:
2 points. First most, if not all BCD's can vent faster than they fill. For kicks press the inflate and deflate buttons simultaneously in shallow water (a few metres) and see how long it takes to force an uncontrolled ascent. You have weeks, if not months, to deal with the problem of a stuck inflator if your first action is to just press the deflate button.

2n'd point is with a little practice it's peanuts.

R..
And please keep in mind that this practice is severly affected by the position of the hose during this manuever.
 
WreckWriter:
You didn't pain me at all. You actually gave me a laugh. Ask a stupid question............ and so on.

WW

Come on WW! Not everyone has the insight yet, the level of training, nor the experience as you. Take it easy on the condecending answers. You don't have to respond to every question someone posts on this board. Just respond to the one's you feel deserve your attention.

You won't find that question posted on TDS, so if someone did - your answer would be appropriate on that board in gest and ribbing. But, this board has a broader variety of divers with a broad level of experience, so...

BTW, I appreciate the questions you've answered for me. Thanks for that, but if you ever answer one of my questions that way - we're taking it outside!

:)
 
Yep - just pull the disconnect collar. It'll pop right off. If you are wearing very heavy gloves (e.g. mittens!) then get an inflator hose with a drysuit-style collar (wide and easy to grab) instead of the traditional style.

There's no reason to puncture the BC. Never mind that you are at least somewhat likely to puncture you instead of (or in addition to!) the BC.
 
Hobbs:
WaveMan1978:
In your opinion, would this be a valid technique in a serious uncontrolled ascent emergency? Why, or why not?

QUOTE]

Hi
There is some problems that we in the coldwater regions have to think about, when you dive in -1 C degree water at deapth and -17 C in the air, freezing comes very easy,

I have personally had a frozen drysuit inflator, I could not even rach the end of the hose since it was embedded in a block of ice, the block was about as big as twice my fist.

Holy crap! I thought I was well 'ard yesterday diving in 4 C water (and 10 C air). Out of interest, what brand regs do you use?
 

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