Dropped weight belt - how to react

[Conor]

While diving (at 20M) last week I heard a 'clunk', looked down and saw a weight belt, looked to my right and seen my buddy starting to accelerate towards the suface. My reflexes kicked in and I spun around, grabbed his ankle and dumped the air from my BC, he did the same, and after a few seconds composed himself and swam down to retrieve his belt, after which we continued the dive.

In the post dive babble the DM/ instructor leading the dive said the right thing to do was to let him go and that way only one of us would have risked injury and therefore the other would have been in a better position to rescue him.

From my point of view if I had of felt that I was being pulled to the surface too fast I would have had to let go in order to be able to rescue him later, but it would always be worth attempting to prevent the uncontrolled ascent in the first place.

We are both new to diving, AOW with 20ish dives each, can you guys give us your perspective on what to do and if you feel there was any real risk in the first place (my main fear would be that he panicked and failed to control the ascent).

I think I'll do my rescue diver course soom

Cheers

Conor

 

[MikeFerrara]

If you can stop or slow another divers uncontroled ascent without ascending too fast yourself then do it. If you can't get to them or you are unable to slow them follow them to the surface at a safe ascent rate and assist there. If your weighted correctly (near neutral) your wearing heavy suits (cold water) and the diver looses all his weight then you may be unable to stop or slow them them. This is one reason not to have all your weight ditchable.

Sounds like you did fine but you guys fix your gear so you don't loose anymore weights.

 

[Diver0001]

Conor once bubbled...
While diving (at 20M) last week I heard a 'clunk', looked down and saw a weight belt, looked to my right and seen my buddy starting to accelerate towards the suface. My reflexes kicked in and I spun around, grabbed his ankle and dumped the air from my BC, he did the same, and after a few seconds composed himself and swam down to retrieve his belt, after which we continued the dive.

In the post dive babble the DM/ instructor leading the dive said the right thing to do was to let him go and that way only one of us would have risked injury and therefore the other would have been in a better position to rescue him.

<snip>

That was quick thinking and you may have helped your buddy avoid an injury. Rule number 1 of Rescue diving, however, is to not become a victim yourself. Keep your wits about you and if you can't stop him from ascending too fast then then you should let him go.

R..

 

[Butch103]

As others have said in Rescue you don't want to create two vitems, however you were able to control the situation without comprimising your safety. You have already stated you would have released your buddy had you started to ascend to quikly.......... :boom:

 

[SwimJim]

I haven't taken rescue yet. As you were aware that if you would go up too fast yourself you would let go, I believe you took the correct action.
If your DM won't go diving with you, I will.:arrrgh:

Jim

 

[SM Diver]

Or better yet, get weight integrated BCs. Yet another story of a weight belt dropping. Also, properly weight yourself so that an accidental loss of weight doesn't create the torpedo effect. If I lost mey weights I'm confident I'd be able to swim down and get it.

Having said that, I think I would have done what you did.

 

[DivePartner1]

Conor, I've done the same as you: hold them as long as it's safe to do so. At least you slow them down. Let go if you start to drag up with her/him.

Tampa, I've seen as many weights fall from integrated BCs than loose weight belts. The velcro pockets wear out and dump weights if they're heavily laden. New buckled versions attempt to address this although a panicked diver or buddy not accustomed to that approach might struggle with these while encumbered with heavy gloves and wetsuit or drysuit. When drysuit diving I spread my weight between integrated pockets, trim pockets and belt leaving most ditchable, but in increments.

 

[Conor]

Thanks all for your support, I think in general its seems I did the right thing, assuming I would let go if it got out of control for both of us. I'm not sure I would like to buddy with the DM though. I personally would appreciate my buddy buying me some time to understand what is happening and try to solve it, as opposed to waving as I go past.

The belt came off because the guy managed to tuck his hands beneath the belt as he swam along and nudged the buckle as he took them out. Personally I have no problems with weight belts, I secure them when entering and leaving the water and when my wetsuit compresses at depth, and otherwise leave it well alone.

My buddy does feel like a muppet after this incident and has sworn he won't let it happen again.

 

[jbd]

you did the right thing especially given that you seemed to be aware of the need to let go if the rate was too fast.

I had something similar happen to one of my "students" during my ITC. Weights fell out of one of her weight pockets. I was able to grab her and the weights, stabilize us and allow her to replace the lost weights. It certainly helped that we were properly weighted.

You will enjoy the rescue class--take it as soon as you can

 

[SM Diver]

DivePartner1 once bubbled...
Tampa, I've seen as many weights fall from integrated BCs than loose weight belts.

Even with worn velcro and no snapping buckle system, it would be a lot harder for weights to fall out of a weight integrated BC. For one thing, they normally sit in there so snug that even if the flap came undone, they would not fall out (if the BC is designed right). I don't work with students, however, so if you say you've seen it as much as belts coming off, I'll have to take your word on that.

Do you agree with proper weighting you should be able to kick down and get your weights? I'm thinking if you drop your weights and take off like a mistle, your carrying too much, but, again, I'll defer to an instructor on that point.

Maybe the answer is diving with no ditchable weight (put all the weight in the back plate and tanks). Just make sure you can swim up against the weight if your BC fails, or carry a lift bag to take you up in the event of BC failre. Of course, how many people are going to do that, and get trained appropriately?