Finding your way back to the boat

[jstuart1]

I would like some input on how you guys/ gals find your way back to an anchored boat at the end of your dive. I raise this question because of two things that happened to me while diving in Cozumel and Belize.

Story: My second ocean dive was in Cozumel and to make the story short, there was a swim through I didn't feel comfortable going through so I didn't. I was the last in the group and by myself (buddy had long since gone through along with everyone else). Initially I was very concerned but figured that worst case I could surface properly and the boat would pick me up since this was a drift dive. No big deal. Saw the group comming out and swam over the reef to rejoin them.

In Belize, the boat was tied off (first time I had dove this way and location). At 1/2 tank we were to let DM know so we could turn around. Well DM wasn't paying much attention and at 1200psi I finally got his attention. The DM trainee who was taking the rear of the group had been taking someone else back who was low on air. I started getting pretty nervous before I got the DM's attention because again my rental buddy was off doing thier own thing and I had no idea where the boat was. It got me to thinking that even if my buddy had stayed with me, had we gotten separated from the group could we have found the boat. I can do basic compass navigation but I have to have the compass in hand the whole time and pay attention to it. Meaning planning it to be a compass dive.

How do you find your way back to the boat if you are separated from the DM?

PS sorry this was long. :11:

 

[Shasta_man]

This is why it's important to have the surface signaling device or safety sausage to get their attention from a distance.

Basically this is why it's important to stay oriented when diving to where you're going and where you came from. It's easy to let the DM handle it, but it's better to keep an idea yourself. That's all you can do really: keep track of where you are and have a surface signaling device, but the best thing is not to get separated. It was smart that you avoided the swimthrough if you're not comfortable.

And it's a sad state of affairs when a couple paragraphs is considered too long.

I would like some input on how you guys/ gals find your way back to an anchored boat at the end of your dive. I raise this question because of two things that happened to me while diving in Cozumel and Belize.

Story: My second ocean dive was in Cozumel and to make the story short, there was a swim through I didn't feel comfortable going through so I didn't. I was the last in the group and by myself (buddy had long since gone through along with everyone else). Initially I was very concerned but figured that worst case I could surface properly and the boat would pick me up since this was a drift dive. No big deal. Saw the group comming out and swam over the reef to rejoin them.

In Belize, the boat was tied off (first time I had dove this way and location). At 1/2 tank we were to let DM know so we could turn around. Well DM wasn't paying much attention and at 1200psi I finally got his attention. The DM trainee who was taking the rear of the group had been taking someone else back who was low on air. I started getting pretty nervous before I got the DM's attention because again my rental buddy was off doing thier own thing and I had no idea where the boat was. It got me to thinking that even if my buddy had stayed with me, had we gotten separated from the group could we have found the boat. I can do basic compass navigation but I have to have the compass in hand the whole time and pay attention to it. Meaning planning it to be a compass dive.

How do you find your way back to the boat if you are separated from the DM?

PS sorry this was long. :11:

 

[ShakaZulu]

I usually leave bread crumbs so I can find my way back.......When you are on the surface, they will tell you in which direction the wreck is. Set a reading, and monitor how your are devaiting from that reading during your dive. On the way back make corrections. Depending on the viz/depth, you may find it again on the way back. You can also use other object for navigation, like rock formations ect.

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

I use a variety of things to get me back to the boat. The biggest help to me was learning how to navigate underwater. Learn the currents, and which direction you are going. If you swim 2 minutes in one direction (say south) against the current, you theoretically will swim under 2 minutes north to the boat. If I make a left (west), I need to account for that on my way back, either by going diagonally, or going east, then north. I use underwater objects, including looking back every so often as things look different going the other way. Learn how the plants line up according to currents.
Another way is to make wide circles around the anchor line, or make your anchor a
"point" in your swim pattern.
Hope this helps. By far the best thing to do though is practice, practice, practice.

 

[markfm]

Moss grows on the north side of the coral

 

[Ed L.]

From an anchored boat etc. Take a lookk around you on the surface. Get an idea which direction the shore running. IE north to south and it is to the west

At the bottom of the anchor line note the depth. Swima around within 10 feet and observe the area. Take a compass heading (into the current for an easier swim back. Go out on the heading and turn around 180 degrees to the anchor line. Start with short trips. You can go around the compass from the anchor line.

If there is any sand the ripples will paralel the shore line. So your going north and you know the shore is to the left from stated above. Also if you start deeer and are geting shalllower you know your heading towards the shore.

It's mostly practice. Look at land marks on the way. while your swimming. Easy depth control on a wall. Check your depth. Pick out a spot on the wall ahead of you and use this as visual reference When you get to that spot check your depth and pick another spot etc.

 

[triton94949]

...How do you find your way back to the boat if you are separated from the DM? ...

Rule #1 ... opps that one is already taken, sorry.

Rule #2 Always stay with the group. Especially on a dive boat miles out to sea.

Rule #3 Always have a DiveAlert with you.

Rule #4 Always have a signalling sausage with you. I like the kind that you plug into your LPH and inflate that way.

Rule #5 Always have a small flashlight with you.

Now, on to your specific question. If you get separated from the group, and there is a significant current in the area, then recognize that you are in a world of hurt. Things could go very wrong from here on out. If you saw the movie or DVD "Open Water" you would know what I mean. If you have ever actually been washed down current from a fixed boat, then you would really appreciate what I mean.

My advice is surface, screw the safety stop, swim back to the boat, and sit out the next dive. Your ascent should be the normal 30 ft per minute, but I would not suggest holding a safety stop because that wastes time.

Once on the surface try to get the boat's attention. If you cannot, then start to swim towards it immediately.

Other divers may give you different advice. Its your skin, so nobody else can tell you what to do. Once you get separated from the group, I do not believe it is a navigation issue. Instead I believe it is a safety issue. Whether the boat is fixed or live and drifting.

 

[Scubakevdm]

How do you find your way back to the boat if you are separated from the DM?

I'm not sure what I would do if I ever became seperated from the DM. I guess I would look around for one minute, then ascend. If I could locate myself on the surface, I might take a bearing and drop back down. If I were unable to find me I would either signal "okay" to the boat and swim back to it, or signal "pick me up". It doesn't happen here very much. You know, wherever I go... there I am.

 

[pasley]

1st. What you are doing is called "Trust Me Dives" . Your current diving is trusting to others to do too much. Many times I have stopped my dive buddy who knew the site from heading in the opposite direction of the boat. You can't trust your buddy to get you there and back. They may get lost, or have an emergency situation leaving you in charge.

Now about your dive buddy. Ok so you buddy is a jerk and does not stay with you. So you stay with him. Let him lead and you stay right beside or at his heals. C: if all else fails, you can always surface where you are. I know easier said than done. But don't let your buddy or anyone else put you at risk.

You need to devleop your situational awarness. Essentialy you need to know how to use a compass. IF you dont' dive often, you can practice this on land. Take a friend, place a blanket over head and follow the compass round a park and come back to where you started. Start with straight out an back then get more fancy and to a triangel or rectangle. Your friend will keep you from waling into a tree or somthing. In the water check your surroundings and do terrain association too. In the water check you compass and keep in your head a visual of the area. Know if you went NW for about 5 minutes and then turned due NOrth for 10 minuts and that leaves you what? Well that leaves you about a 13 minute swim South South East back to the boat. In short, check your compass often, just you check your air and keep a sketch in your head of where the boat is in relationship to yourself. You should always know where you are in relation to the boat.

Now having said all that I also have to add that I don't dive with a DM and have never been to a dive resort area. So all my dives are in local waters. I do dive at new sites, and usally my dive buddy has been there before. So I guess the best advice I can give is, dive more often and get comfortable. A DM on the dive should be a nice tour guide, but not essential to your getting back to the boat.

 

[Albion]

Moss grows on the north side of the coral

i take a sextant with me, or navigate by the stars