Diving with just a Pony. 4-8 Metres.

[EIREDIVER]

Eirediver,

Trying to protect and clean the marine environment is something good divers strive to do, so I commend your intentions.

However, everything else about your plan is inconsistent with how good divers plan. Please don't do it.

First, good divers dive within the limits of our training and experience, and we try to add only one extra level of difficulty or complexity or newness at a time until we have mastered it and are ready to build on it. In your case, you're an inexperienced brand new diver attempting to dive with unfamiliar nonstandard gear, to dive in low visibility with risk of entanglement, to dive in unfamiliar water without a local guide, to add extra tasks, and to dive solo. That's not just pushing the envelope--it's shredding and burning it.

Second, good divers understand that water is a foreign environment that can kill us, so we endeavor to identify and mitigate the risks we will encounter. We would never say, "Hey, it's just ten meters," because many people with more experience and better gear than you have died in less than ten meters of water. You're creating a situation in which, if everything goes right and there are no surprises, you might not die. It would be far better for you to create a situation in which several things could go wrong and you'd still survive.

I understand and sympathize with your financial constraints. But those constraints should not motivate you to attempt something that is such a dramatic departure from your training and from prudent practice. Wait until you can rent or borrow suitable gear. Wait until you can team up with experienced partners. The trash will wait for you to prepare to do this dive safely.

Best wishes,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. There's a lot of wealthy information there. I've decided to spend my money on freediving gear, Including gear I can use on dives when I'm back with my university. Until then I will practise what I know and get comfortable in the water. Thanks!

 

[EIREDIVER]

I've been diving very shallow water with a 19cf tank for years. I generally overfill it a bit. I use it near inlets, or around shallow structure close to the beach. It's an easy rig to carry across a long beach to a rock pile jetty. No BC, weighted just slightly negative. An old Scubapro MkV , an spg, and two sharp cutting devices complete the rig. The deepest I go would be around 10 or 12 feet. Snorkeling depths, I know, but I'm a rather old man and doing it this way allows me to easily observe the Gulf Stream Caribbean tropicals that abound in NJ in August and September, maybe bring home a lobster. My little dives usually last 15 or 20 minutes at most, leaving a small reserve not so much for safety, but to have enough pressure to keep the tank dry. I'm never more than a few yards from a jetty or a short swim to water shallow enough to walk in to the beach. Don't be intimidated by the technicians with their fancy calculations. I've been diving for more than a half century all over the world. Now in my late 70s, simplicity and going minimalist are what suits me. I have lots of experience, and my air consumption is low. I still dive a steel HP tank in deeper inlets but still do my best to keep things simple. These dives are limited to places allowing me to park close by. Be careful (I'd go a little larger on tank size) and cautiously explore your options. You are not a technical diver and neither am I.

I like your style. Hopefully someday I can replicate it. For now I will respect the training I have received so far and that's why I've decided to spend my money on freediving gear that I can use again with my dive club. Diving the Gulf Stream sounds like a dream. All the best and thanks for the support

 

[EIREDIVER]

What I didn’t include is the proposed pump will not have the filters to remove any nasty gasses that under pressure become killers.

This reason and a plethora of safety precautions have driven me to spend my money on free diving gear. I will practise what I've learned and aim to become more comfortable in the water. Thank you for the advice, much appreciated.

 

[EIREDIVER]

@EIREDIVER , you came here looking for advice and I think you’re getting good advice.

I applaud your enthusiasm but right now it seems to be outrunning your experience in equipment selection and dive planning. I think the trash clean up is a noble mission worth your best research towards resourcing used but fully functional equipment. A larger tank and reliable regs will allow you to do a proper job of picking up trash. With that puny little bottle, you’re going to be picking up trash like a 5 year old after a street parade....cute but not really making the strides necessary to get the job done.

What have the experienced divers from your club (BSAC?) said about your proposed kit and dive profile?

In all honesty I'm aware of the gears flaws and as an optimist I came here seeking advice and ultimately ''go ahead''. My club wouldn't know of my hill billy diving tactics as im 90% certain they would disagree, as the people here have. Yet the water calls to me and I suppose in desperate times we come up with novel, but reckless solutions... I've decided to wait and collect proper gear, money that I would've spent on this ludicrous rig has been put towards dive belts, depth guage, a torch and a few other pieces to get me freediving during the lockdown. I appreciate your advise, thanks for taking the time!

 

[EIREDIVER]

For the job you want to do (cleaning a pier) one possible low-cost solution is using an Hookah, that is simply a second-stage reg connected with a long LP hose.
Here the reg:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/REAMTOP-Equipment-Regulator-Octopus-Mouthpiece/dp/B01M2AC0VX/
Here the hose:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Metalsub-Hookah-Regulator-Yellow-Rubber/dp/B07MK43T7Q
There are longer ones, of course.
For supplying LP compressed air, you could use a standard LP compressor with a decent air filter. I assume you have electricity on the pier...
There are three severe dangers with such a system:
- for any reason the air supply is interrupted, and you need to resurface without any pre-advice
- the hose could get entangled
- the air quality could be bad, making you sick
On the third point the usage of an oil-free compressor can be the solution...

I've opted to purchase free diving gear and will continue my training by spending time in the water practising what I've learned. I'm very intrigued by that setup though. Perhaps someday I'll try It out. Thanks for the reply!

 

[EIREDIVER]

I have a heap of diving gear what are you training with I’ll make up a kit for you

That would be incredible. I have been training with the scuba pro x one bcd (fairly standard), depth and pressure gauge, a standard regulator setup with scondary octopus and a 12L Cylinder. I have my own wetsuit (including boots, hood and gloves), my own torch, mask, finns and weight belt (no weights yet). Any help on equipment would be a dream, I would appreciate it so much. Thanks!

 

[Celt]

That would be incredible. I have been training with the scuba pro x one bcd (fairly standard), depth and pressure gauge, a standard regulator setup with scondary octopus and a 12L Cylinder. I have my own wetsuit (including boots, hood and gloves), my own torch, mask, finns and weight belt (no weights yet). Any help on equipment would be a dream, I would appreciate it so much. Thanks!

I had a look in the workshop, I have a Northern Diver guardian BCD. An unused scubapro all metal reg with inflation whip and Blandford sub aqua contents gauge. Also there’s a 15ltr Ali. Your welcome to them send me a PM.

 

[NothingClever]

Good gravy...what a windfall.

Proper angel, that mac64 fellow!

 

[Angelo Farina]

Mac64 was very generous.
Using the 15-liters cylinder with a good, proven, all-metal Scubapro reg will result to be at least 10 times safer than attempting to do your cleaning job under the pier FREE DIVING....
Free diving is much more dangerous than scuba diving at these shallow depths (probably at any depth).

 

[Dubious]

I have a heap of diving gear what are you training with I’ll make up a kit for you

I love seeing this kind of post.