Code Monkey
Contributor
I suspect that we just have different ways of doing things and that neither of us will convince the other to change our ways. That said, this was a request for tips for a n00b and, as such, warrants explanation when requested...
I've read more than one dive incident that involved somebody, under some stress of the moment, turning their tank valve the wrong way. Sometimes it stems from some odd set of circumstances but, other times, it's as simple as being in on uncomfortably-arranged boat, trying to turn on your tank from the wrong side with the wrong hand. Dive incidents, like airline crahses, aren't usually caused by a single screw-up. They are the result of a cascading sequence of problems. I think that you're less likely to end up a statistic at the tail end of one of these chains if you have a regular routine that involves multiple layers of safety.
Well, you can go in negatively bouyant if you want to. I've done it when the dive conditions required it. In general, however, I like to go into the water and meet my buddy at the surface. We give each other the okay followed by a thumbs-down and we descend to start our dive. There's more margin for error that way.
Let me hypethosize a situation: You're on a dive boat and the dive master has filled your tank, connected your reg, turned-on the tank to make sure of the fill, and then turned it off -- that happens all the time. Let's say the seas are rough and someone falls on deck. There's a lot of commotion but the person is okay so the dive day goes on. You screw-up and don't realize that *you* didn't turn-on your tank -- you do, however, look at the gauges and see a full tank. This situation normally gives you a few of breaths of air before you run dry. If you go in negative, you'll be at 20 feet or so with no air in your lungs, your tank, or your BC. It's certainly possible to come back from this situation but I'd rather go into a dive with a couple more layers of safety under my belt.
Of course, that's just the way I like to dive. Everyone has their own set of priorities and the levels of risk they are willing to withstand. If we got rid of all risk, we'd never dive, never drive, and (in my opinion) never thrive. Still, if it costs me so little to reduce my risk as to have this regular routine - I'm okay with that small price.
All that said, have a great day and enjoy the diving!
Walter:Why would you turn your valve off when you are trying to turn it on?
I've read more than one dive incident that involved somebody, under some stress of the moment, turning their tank valve the wrong way. Sometimes it stems from some odd set of circumstances but, other times, it's as simple as being in on uncomfortably-arranged boat, trying to turn on your tank from the wrong side with the wrong hand. Dive incidents, like airline crahses, aren't usually caused by a single screw-up. They are the result of a cascading sequence of problems. I think that you're less likely to end up a statistic at the tail end of one of these chains if you have a regular routine that involves multiple layers of safety.
Why would I put air in my BC before I go down? That air will stop me from going where I want to go.
Well, you can go in negatively bouyant if you want to. I've done it when the dive conditions required it. In general, however, I like to go into the water and meet my buddy at the surface. We give each other the okay followed by a thumbs-down and we descend to start our dive. There's more margin for error that way.
Let me hypethosize a situation: You're on a dive boat and the dive master has filled your tank, connected your reg, turned-on the tank to make sure of the fill, and then turned it off -- that happens all the time. Let's say the seas are rough and someone falls on deck. There's a lot of commotion but the person is okay so the dive day goes on. You screw-up and don't realize that *you* didn't turn-on your tank -- you do, however, look at the gauges and see a full tank. This situation normally gives you a few of breaths of air before you run dry. If you go in negative, you'll be at 20 feet or so with no air in your lungs, your tank, or your BC. It's certainly possible to come back from this situation but I'd rather go into a dive with a couple more layers of safety under my belt.
Of course, that's just the way I like to dive. Everyone has their own set of priorities and the levels of risk they are willing to withstand. If we got rid of all risk, we'd never dive, never drive, and (in my opinion) never thrive. Still, if it costs me so little to reduce my risk as to have this regular routine - I'm okay with that small price.
All that said, have a great day and enjoy the diving!