Creeper?

[SelkieDVM]

Recently while diving the Cooper River several of the guys had "creepers" - a triangular metal frame with handles and spikes on two corners designed to help you hold your place in the current. Sure beats the pathetic screwdriver I brought.

Anyone have a picture or plans or specs for one of these? I believe one guy said he had his made from specs in a NAUI manual. I definitely want one before I go back.

Thanks and happy diving in the New Year!
Lilla

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

River Diving Technique

Here is a great site to give you all the information you need to properly dive rivers with current. There is information on the "creeper" and how it should be properly used. There is also a good reference to the type of gear that should be used such as a "crawl dad" that are much better than a screwdriver and safer too. I hope this helps! Good luck with your treasure seeking!

http://www.mindspring.com/~divegeek/requip.htm

Carolyn:shark2:

 

[shoredivr]

Hey, Carolyn, thanks for that link! Lots of good info there on big current diving.

The St. Clair River has some of the most intense currents around here....I haven't dived it yet, working up to it though with the St Lawrence and Niagara Rivers....

This is the kind of current I'm familiar with:
YouTube - Diving the Upper Niagara

Here's the extreme Thompson's Hole current in the Niagara...:shocked2: ...something like parts of the St. Clair near Sarnia, Ont.

YouTube - Thompson's Hole Current

 

[vtxkev]

Wow. I have never dove a river or anything with current like that and I must say it doesnt even look like fun. that second video looks like these guys are just holding on not to get dragged away. Is there any fun in this type of diving, anyone know first hand?

 

[shoredivr]

Usually myself and the folks I dive with do river dives mainly as drift dives, stopping in places when you drift over something you want to scrounge, like old bottles or china. You do have to hold on if you want to dig. Hence the screwdrivers, claws or creepers. Otherwise you're flying. And yes it is fun .

At least the guys in the Thompson Hole video still have their masks on. Once they stop hanging on for the video, they'll fly off down the river, much easier on the arms.




To the OP, how's the viz in the Cooper River? I heard it was Braille diving, but such cool fossil teeth to find ....

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

YW Y'all!

I have been studying up on that website for a bit to start my dabbling in "black water" diving. Basically here in the Savannah River and Cooper, the vis is basically 2' or less. Currents vary depending on the tides and where you put in. Most divers are in the rivers to find MEG teeth amongst other fossils. Also since this is a very historical region, alot of people are looking for artifacts, especially along the wrecks here in the Savannah River. This type of diving demands alot of skill and the proper equipment. The diver on the website I provided does escavation of underwater sites along with other salvage types of dives. I was very impressed when I found it and you couldn't ask for more complete information. I do recommend starting this kind of diving with someone who has alot of experience.

Good luck and happy diving!
Carolyn:shark2:

 

[SelkieDVM]

Great information, thank you!

When we were in the Cooper earlier this month we actually had excellent viz at
4-6' with a good light. I had a blast - here's a pic of the teeth I brought up.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Awesome finds there! Sometimes the vis can be good but always be prepared if it isn't.

I am always happy to help!

Good luck, Merry Christmas, and happy diving!
Carolyn:shark2: