Question Do you ever practice dropping weights and handling the unexpected ascent?

[JonnieB]

I was on a dive recently with a rental BCD which had all my weight in the two drop pockets. Not how I usually dive but it's what they had for me. We descended somewhat quickly to the bottom at 30 feet due to wanting to get under the moderate current.

Right when I stopped by descent at the bottom, I felt both pockets slip right out! I spotted them on the bottom under me and realized I was headed right back up to the surface. I dumped by BCD's air and kicked downward to slow my ascent, and was able to make a fairly safe return to the surface. Thankfully I was only under for about 2 minutes total and did not suffer any decompression symptoms.

This got me thinking though: While I've been taught theoretically about how to drop weights and ascend, I realized I have never actually practiced it and was not very well prepared for the situation. So I'm curious fellow divers:, do you ever take time to go to a pool or maybe 20ft deep open water area and just practice dropping your weights and handling the quick decisions required to keep the situation safe

I was on a dive recently with a rental BCD which had all my weight in the two drop pockets. Not how I usually dive but it's what they had for me. We descended somewhat quickly to the bottom at 30 feet due to wanting to get under the moderate current.

Right when I stopped by descent at the bottom, I felt both pockets slip right out! I spotted them on the bottom under me and realized I was headed right back up to the surface. I dumped by BCD's air and kicked downward to slow my ascent, and was able to make a fairly safe return to the surface. Thankfully I was only under for about 2 minutes total and did not suffer any decompression symptoms.

This got me thinking though: While I've been taught theoretically about how to drop weights and ascend, I realized I have never actually practiced it and was not very well prepared for the situation. So I'm curious fellow divers:, do you ever take time to go to a pool or maybe 20ft deep open water area and just practice dropping your weights and handling the quick decisions required to keep the situation safe?

Weights...what are those? With my B&W, with SS plate I'm basically neutrally bouyant and don't pack any weights. Also, being an integral part of the BCD, there's no chance of dropping it. Maybe look into such a system.

 

[Barefoot_Lawyer]

That is an adequate definition, but in an emergency there is NO NECESSITY to stop an ascent? Recreational divers are "allowed" to make a direct ascent to the surface, with no stops.

You're still doing an uncontrolled buoyant ascent, even though you claimed above you were not.

 

[pauldw]

do you ever take time to go to a pool or maybe 20ft deep open water area and just practice dropping your weights and handling the quick decisions required to keep the situation safe?

No. It's dangerous to practice what could easily become an uncontrolled ascent. Also, I'll add that if you dropped an actual lead blocks weight belt in a pool, you'd probably get a different kind of injury pretty soon.

Exhaling into my BCD and re-using the air on the way up.

This seems like something experienced divers could know about, but way too much task loading for OW divers.

I cannot do this [photo of diver underwater sitting astride a cylinder]

That's because you're doing it wrong. Turn around, then reach back with the butt end of your knife and knock the valve clean off. Ride it up.

Who defines what "overly thick" is?

In ancient days, a 1/2" farmer John with a 1/2" beavertail, with gloves and a hoodie, seemed just right. But there is the issue of compressibility being a factor that could cause surprises at depth. I wasn't taught that wet suits could actually make it hard to ascend in some circumstances.

I remember one time I left a 12-14 lb weightbelt on a ledge at around 80 feet in a Florida spring while wearing a 7 mm full suit. I dumped all the air from my BC and just swam around with zero air in the BC - it was a nice feeling without the heavy belt and the BC puffed up.

I wouldn't expect someone to be able to retrieve a weight belt promptly, so I'd assume it had been there for awhile, and that the owner might not be coming back later. Even so, I'l leave it, but I do think that a lot of people believe that gear on the bottom is affectively abandoned (I don't expect to ever again see the 3 pounds I had in my jack-o-lantern to keep the pumpkin neutral this past weekend, which fell out at as I was swimming back). Thoughts?

 

[Blackcrusader]

This seems like something experienced divers could know about, but way too much task loading for OW divers.

rebreathing air from my BCD as a last resort. I was taught that in my basic training by my BSAC instructor.
Too much task loading? I disagree

 

[boulderjohn]

rebreathing air from my BCD as a last resort. I was taught that in my basic training by my BSAC instructor.
Too much task loading? I disagree

As I have said before, it seems silly to me. That "last resort" would have to be something like being within sight of the entrance of the cave when I ran out of air. In the open water, there is no point to it, and making the effort could lead to a major screwup, such as inhaling water, creating a laryngospasm, and beginning the drowning process.

Is this standard BSAC training, or is it a rogue instructor teaching this?

 

[Scott G. Bonser]

That is interesting you should bring this subject up. Perhaps the ‘disadvantage’ of renting gear may have brought this on. Last time I actually did this was just an exercise for the OW part of my DM class in ‘83/‘84. I always try to keep certain pieces of gear ‘personal’ other than just M F & S as rental pieces don’t always perform as expected. I have encountered weightbelts that are loose or have weights that easily slip off and I try to avoid these, therefore taking my own weightbelt despite its heaviness has its advantages. Sometimes your weight system with rental weights may be a safe alternative, especially during travel out of the country. Perhaps this is an exercise all should try from time to time in a controlled situation with a trusted dive partner. The ‘stuck’ inflator is another rapid ascent exercise to try w/trusted dive partner. Gear maintenance is also part of the process.

A better thing to practice is handling a stuck inflator.

Touche’ anything is possible.
As we know…the ‘real thing’ is not a pleasant experience as I try be proactive with a thorough gear check especially with my dive buddy. My ‘surprise’ was an out-of-air event in which training beforehand kept things on-the-level with me. I would like to read how others would handle this situation.

 

[Scott G. Bonser]

rebreathing air from my BCD as a last resort. I was taught that in my basic training by my BSAC instructor.
Too much task loading? I disagree

…breathing from BCD….not highly recommended. Would definitely be last resort. Check out Alec Pierce SCUBA YouTube on this subject, if you get a chance..

 

[pauldw]

Peirce!

 

[sandiegoaes]

do you ever take time to go to a pool or maybe 20ft deep open water area and just practice dropping your weights and handling the quick decisions required to keep the situation safe?

I knew an instructor that used to teach this skill in his classes. One of his students screwed up the skill, embolized and ended up successfully suing the liability insurance company for $5 million.

Some skills are better left alone or self taught.

 

[johndiver999]

I knew an instructor that used to teach this skill in his classes. One of his students screwed up the skill, embolized and ended up successfully suing the liability insurance company for $5 million.

Some skills are better left alone or self taught

Not sure I understand your point?

You think a diver should practice (and learn this skill) on their own, but simply due to liability reasons, instructors should not teach it?