Descent Line at Vortex?

[easyrider003]

I am going down to Vortex on December 8. I have always dove using a line to help control my ascent and descent. I was wondering if anyone could give me any ideas as to what I could use at the surface to tie a rope to? I was thinking of something like an inner tube of a tire but I wont have anything to inflate it with once i get there and I am going in a tahoe and really don't want have to haul it three and a half hours inflated. Just looking for some tips as to what I can use.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[rawls]

Michael.....

No Tires

Go to Compare Prices of Discount Scuba Equipment - Buy Scuba Gear Snorkeling Packages Online @ Dive Booty. In the "search" box type in 'Dive Buoys'...Check out the "Innovative Inflatable Float Dive Flag." It's a "yellow" float with the dive flag attached and has "Diver Below" on the front...This will be the perfect thing for you...Easily inflatable...Great float...

 

[PerroneFord]

Why not take advantage of the opportunity to work on your buoyancy? Frankly, it should have been part of your skill in OW class to do ascents and descents without something to hold on to.

Vortex has several shallow areas and one nice deep area where you can practice to your hearts content. It will make your diving trips far more enjoyable in the future.

 

[Tom Smedley]

Vortex has three fixed buoys - one on each of two platforms and one in the deep hole. I agree with PF that you should use the ease of diving at Vortex and Morrison to work on doing ascents and descents without aid. However, for less than 20 dollars you can get a tire inflator for your LP hose to fill your tube. The Vortex dive shop also has for sale the buoy mentioned in the second post.

A simple surface marker buoy with a thumb reel also acts as a fine reference for staying at a constant depth during safety or deco stops.

 

[spectrum]

easyrider003,

I agree with the others. Use this time to practice this critical skill. Being dependent on a line to make your ascents and descents is a dangerous situation.

You do not need to go down but the consequences of not coming up are dire. What happens when you are diving and can't find your way back to the line?

Since they say there are some buoys out there perhaps you can start by using them only as a visual reference, hands off. Subsequently rely on your instruments and senses looking at the line only if you feel you need to. You should be able to do this in open water with no fixed reference.

Pete

 

[Rick Murchison]

No matter how clear the water, there is always "stuff" in it, tiny little particulates and critters suspended in the water column. These may drift up and down a little with vertical water movements, but absent a major upwelling or downwelling they move slowly enough that they make a good reference for maintaining a constant depth or judging your ascent/descent rate.
Start with lines as references, then try noticing the particulates while using the line, then graduate to just usning your gauges and the particulates and by looking up at the surface as you near it - and soon you'll be making free ascents and descents and safety stops under solid control... and looking good, too!
Rick

 

[Allison Finch]

Take a SMB with 15 feet of line on it. You can practise inflating it, sending it to the surface, and use the line to do your safety stop.

 

[bamamedic]

I'm sure that betwen the two of us; it'll be fine I'd love to practice free ascents and descents, so that can just be one of the skills we work on while we're out there.
Only 13 more days 'till Vortex Springs!!!! Yipee!!!!

 

[Nemrod]

All of the practice and bouyancy skills aside and being also many years since having visited Vortex, I seriously doubt they allow you to enter the water with lines and bouys and reels and start running lines all over the place. But, I could be wrong. The main area is not much larger than a swimming pool and from within the cavern there will be no lines to the surface because there is a rock overhead. If you cannot find the surface, just crawl along the bottom until you run into it, usually preceded by encountering large redneck women with thrashing legs and arms and all manner of wildlife--er--offspring of the large redneck women, oh, it is winter, you maybe safe.

N

 

[cowdog77]

No matter how clear the water, there is always "stuff" in it, tiny little particulates and critters suspended in the water column. These may drift up and down a little with vertical water movements, but absent a major upwelling or downwelling they move slowly enough that they make a good reference for maintaining a constant depth or judging your ascent/descent rate.
Start with lines as references, then try noticing the particulates while using the line, then graduate to just usning your gauges and the particulates and by looking up at the surface as you near it - and soon you'll be making free ascents and descents and safety stops under solid control... and looking good, too!
Rick

Good advice...worked for me.