ArcticDiver:After you are in a Deep in a strong down current, with a fully inflated BC, finning as strongly as you can, unable to navigate out of the current, and still going down you will see why ditchable weight is a must.
I have to admit that I haven't been in such a down welling. Aren't they usually along a wall? If they are wouldn't you use the wall? What about your bc and/or swim perpendicular to the current to get out of it?
If none of that works and you're correctly weighted, I wonder how effective droping a few more pounds would be.
How many times have you had to drop weights in a down welling?
Plus, any statement that is labled "professional" is suspect when it goes counter to the standards of accepted certifying agencies like NAUI, SSI and PADI.
Which standards specifically are you refering to? I have the PADI training standards and the IANTD standards right here at my fingertips so we can discuss those in detail.
Hopefully, folks reading this thread will stick with the standards they were taught and continue safe, fun diving.
Hopefully, folks reading this will realize how important it is not to be too heavy and to be practiced in basic skills so they can handle simple problems without dumping weights and blowing for the surface.
Most of the divers that I've seen hurt did it to themself by blasting for the surface becaused of a percieved problem or lack of control while trying to manage a problem.