Descent rate

[Meng_Tze]

Going in negative is the BOMB (pun intended). Not many captains allow it and only then as described below (current into the site).

As for speed going down.... as fast as you feel comfortable doing it...

 

[DandyDon]

Limited only by how fast you can clear your ears.

I like to blow and go down like a rock, but I usually have to wait on my buddy. Not many can drop at my speed.

 

[miketsp]

..snip..
For me and my diving, last one to within 5-10 feet off the bottom loses. Anyone who hits the bottom gets emasculated back on-land in a round of guffaws.

Are you sure this is the word you wanted to use?
Be careful, there's another thread running where someone is complaining about the word "rape" in the context of getting ripped off by his LDS.
If he sees this he's going to get mad!

 

[VinceDS]

Others might suggest a hot drop is not the way to do it. For example, if in current, drifting into the site from up current may be the better choice if the boat captain permits this method. It isn't just about having to hammer an inflator if you get ahead of the inflator speed.

True - in most cases it is not the way to do it...But, I am referring to up current drops. There have been times where the current is ripping at a pretty good pace and we do a live / hot drop in full tech gear to hit a target at 150 to 170fsw. In a full tech rig, you do not have the best mobility and drag is very high in a current (Dry Suit, Double Steels, 2 Deco bottles, etc.) At depths like these, dpending on visibility, taking an extra 20, 30, or 40 seconds to hit the bottom may mean you miss the target. All depends on the scenario.

 

[Diver0001]

The PADI tables were made with 60ft/min *descent* and *ascent* rates in mind.

Since bottom time is defined as the beginning of the *descent* to the beginning of the *ascent*, a very fast descent can theoretically mean that you build up more N2 in your system than the table is telling you.

If you use a computer, the point is moot.

R..

 

[donnad]

but dont' forget your buddy, who may not clear as fast as you do!!

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Going in negative is the BOMB (pun intended). Not many captains allow it and only then as described below (current into the site).

As for speed going down.... as fast as you feel comfortable doing it...

Couldn't you jump in without any air in your BC, fin up long enough to give the "OK" and then drop?

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

Couldn't you jump in without any air in your BC, fin up long enough to give the "OK" and then drop?

At that level you get in and do it, the crew isn't waiting for an ok they are prepping the next diver. You and your buddy are usually put in together and descending right away. We do the same type drops (with a descent line) in the Great Lakes to keep from freezing up our regs above water.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Cool. I'm sure that the kind of diving you do up there, is a LOT different than diving in Key West or Cozumel... I'm reading "Submerged" at the moment, and there's a few chapters devoted to diving Lake Superior and ending up with a "slushed" reg. Cripes, that sounds like a miserable place to dive. Hats off to you!

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I'm amazed that so many of you can equalize that fast. Wow.

Keep in mind that I'm new to diving, so my ears are still "learning" how to equalize that quickly. How long did it take, if you can remember, before you were able to descend that fast without needing to focus on equalizing your ears/sinuses?