Ditch and don

[diverkristi]

Had to do this in the YMCA program in April. I didn't think it was a big deal at all. Reg 1st, then weights, then the rest.

Harder (for me) was swimming 40 underwater without mask and snorkel, from the 5 ft to the 10 ft. Fnding it on the bottom of the 10 ft, putting it on and clearing both as you surface WITHOUT looking stressed when they check it. Had to do it twice. I think it's all in the head, but I'm sure glad I don't have to do it again.

 

[jbisjim]

When taking the gear off leave your oct strung out to it full lenth. (easy to find especially if you cant see well)
Then once you have air the rest is a snap. The only problem I had with the scuba ditch and don was the the fact i lost a contact and then really could not see well at all.

Now the snorkel ditch and don i did for DM was a pain for me.

 

[ReneeC]

Wow! I'm glad so many of you seem to find this easy and fun! (I was only kidding about the mask - just happen to like to see) I hate this skill but giving that I am positively bouyant and then some it is a challenge and one I don't enjoy. I struggled to get through it way back when I got certified and OWs had to do it and still struggled during my DM and Instructor classes.

 

[diverkristi]

Takes 21 pounds of weight to keep me down in salt water PLUS all the gear. Hopefully next time will be easier. My 1st dive I was sent back to the boat twice to add more weight. The instructor even tried to pull me down...no luck.

Wow! I'm glad so many of you seem to find this easy and fun! (I was only kidding about the mask - just happen to like to see) I hate this skill but giving that I am positively bouyant and then some it is a challenge and one I don't enjoy. I struggled to get through it way back when I got certified and OWs had to do it and still struggled during my DM and Instructor classes.

 

[RichLockyer]

The instructor even tried to pull me down...no luck.

I hate when they do that... how do they expect you to hold a safety stop when you're five pounds lighter at the end of the dive?

 

[dweeb]

I'm glad you think it "sounds" like fun - its not! Its a pain in the a_ _ but fortunately not required anymore.

It's lots of fun if you're the sort who embraces challenges, rather then shrinking from them. Some agencies
still do the bailout for OW, and some still do a true ditch and don (remove gear on bottom, leave it, swim up, take a breath, go down, and put it all back on) for leadership courses.

 

[perpet1]

This is pretty much the way I was taught, except we either put the weight belt on or laid it across our waist immediately after we got air, and before we did anything else. It was much easier putting the mask on and clearing it without having to worry about floating back up and losing the reg out of our mouth. Great confidence building exercise.

I agree with all of this. The only thing I would add is quickly lay the weights over your calvs as you get to the bottom. Initially I do not take the time to buckle them to my waist because I have more pressing things like getting air. This will stabalize you as you get your reg in and turn on your air. I used to not do this and when I took the first breath I would start going up.

Once you do get your air turned on and your reg in/cleared you will find that you are in a great position to slow down as you are not rushed by posative bouyency.

Then reposition your weights on your waist and gear up in a very controlled manor.

Also, IMO there should be no reason to remove the reg to put on your BC regardless of what method you use as it only adds to the complexity and potential for a problem.

 

[Kestrell]

I enjoyed this exercize too. I actually remember having to swim to the bottom, take off my gear and swim to the surface (blowing bobbles) and then dive down again and put eveything back on. It wasn't too tough, of course that was back in 1991.

 

[Walter]

Actually Dweeb, both bailout and doff & don are required for OW students in the YMCA program. They are both easy tasks if taught properly. My current class has completed doff & don, but bailout was postponed due to hurricane Frances.

 

[sealkie]

OK .. I never MADE my students do that .... but I have had open water students do a bail out in the pool ( jump in with all the gear in your hands and put it on )

and the ditch and don


It was a small class and they were all very good - I had run out of things to do and they started asking me about the drills I was doing with my AI before their class - so I had them try


All those skills are required for a NAUI AI -


Practise without the air off first - then progress to the no air purged set up

Always have a buddy on hand