BC removal/donning at depth skill

[khacken]

I did a practice run of this skill with my new BC this weekend and messed up a little. Put on left side first, then got the cumberbund all messed up. However, this was at 15 feet on a platform. When I messed up a little, I was assisted quickly by another in the group. I never felt any danger in this situation.

However, my girlfriend got upset at me and told me that this skill is never used in real life and that I should never take the bc off at depth, as I could have put myself in a dangerous postion. For example, if I had started to panic or something else unforeseen. That got me thinking, should this drill not be done? I feel I should practice it. What if I am at depth and the reg gets knocked off. What if I get entangled so bad I cant cut my way out. I know that a buddy would be the best in both these situations, but what if my buddy happens to not be looking at that second. Also, as my first run demonstrated to me, I would not have been able to be comfortable in a real situation.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I practice the skill for fun, doft the gear, ride the tank like a wild donkey, and eventually put it back on.

Not sure if I'll ever need to ride my tank like a donkey in a survival situation, but in case I do... I'll be ready!

 

[CuriousRambler]

I practice the skill for fun, doft the gear, ride the tank like a wild donkey, and eventually put it back on.

Not sure if I'll ever need to ride my tank like a donkey in a survival situation, but in case I do... I'll be ready!

LOL!

 

[Allison Finch]

I have used this skill on several occasions. My purge got stuck open and my BC would not hold air. I simply took off the BC and took the purge apart, fixing it. My inflator hose came loose, I took my BC off and fixed it. All you have to do is be mindful if you are using a lot of air in your vest for floatation. Your BC may try to ascend if your weight is on your belt and you're carrying too much of it. Since I am close to neutral and need little air in my BC, I have no trouble. If you tend to overweight......the trouble will be "self inflicted".
To say that this skill is unnecessary is showing your experience level. Just you wait.....

 

[heligeek]

Yeah I have had to use this skill because I went into a swim-through that I thought was larger and got the tank band pulled loose. So I had to remove and refasten the tank at depth. Plus, if you plan on becoming an instructor/Divemaster you have to be able to have demonstration quality skills.

Granted I completely agree with Superbugman, it is quite fun to ride the surf in style.

 

[khacken]

All you have to do is be mindful if you are using a lot of air in your vest for floatation. Your BC may try to ascend if your weight is on your belt and you're carrying too much of it. Since I am close to neutral and need little air in my BC, I have no trouble. If you tend to overweight......the trouble will be "self inflicted".

Yeah, that is a good point. I was on a platform, so I dumped all the air out and was kneeling. Wanted to keep the difficultly as minimal as possible. Good thing, because I totally did it wrong. But with practice comes perfection heheh.

To say that this skill is unnecessary is showing your experience level. Just you wait.....

Actually, I felt the skill IS necessary, that is why I was practicing it hahah. My girlfriend thought it was unneeded and dangerous to practice.

 

[Cave Diver]

That got me thinking, should this drill not be done? I feel I should practice it. What if I am at depth and the reg gets knocked off. What if I get entangled so bad I cant cut my way out. I know that a buddy would be the best in both these situations, but what if my buddy happens to not be looking at that second. Also, as my first run demonstrated to me, I would not have been able to be comfortable in a real situation.

I've taken my bp/w off on several occassions to fix or adjust something during a dive. With practice, it can be done horizontal, while swimming. Kneeling not necessary. As long as you keep a hold of it, it's still part of you so your bouyancy remains unchanged.

IMO, it's a useful skill and worth practicing. Comfort with a skill is often relative to proficiency.

 

[fmw625]

I had my tank slip it's strap on a dive and I removed my BCD, restrepped the tank, tightened and locked the strap and put the BCD back on again. All in a fun dive experiance.

 

[K9trnr]

With a buddy to help you, it's not a skill you'll need a lot, but it's still a skill you may need to use someday. It's preferable if your buddy can tighten your tank strap or help free you from an entanglement, but is it safe to always rely on a buddy? It's a good idea to practice all the skills taught so you'll be confident if/when you need them.

You can also amuse your friends by riding the tank like a wild donkey.

 

[Packhorse]

I have had to remove my BC once or twice in 200 + dives. I have chose to remove and refitt if a few more times for reasons I will not go into for fear of being flamed.
It is a skill you need to learn and even if you dont being able to do it shows skill and confidence.