Going Down (In a hurry)

[ReneeC]

So friend A is going to dive some recreational depth wrecks (100ft) in FL next month with friend B who live in Rhode Island and is a DM. She says there are some currents and the local DMs like to get to the wreck quickly.

I'm a bit more experienced than friend A, so friend B asked me to work on getting A to the bottom quickly.

Is A or B planning on working as a DM while down here? Unless you are planning on doing some free descents with someone you will probably be going down a line anyway. I kinda enjoy bombing the wrecks as a DM but it is not something I would recommend for everyone. What certification does friend A have?

If you are going to practice this make sure you practice arresting your descent quickly while maintaining your position in case an equalizing or other problem arises.

 

[android]

Is A or B planning on working as a DM while down here? Unless you are planning on doing some free descents with someone you will probably be going down a line anyway. I kinda enjoy bombing the wrecks as a DM but it is not something I would recommend for everyone. What certification does friend A have?

If you are going to practice this make sure you practice arresting your descent quickly while maintaining your position in case an equalizing or other problem arises.

A is OW and B is a DM. They're going to be buddies in FL. I don't think they'll be dive bombing, but they need to get down the line promptly. A is pokey by nature.

Neither of us had a problem stopping where the line tied to sailboat rail which was about 10ft above the bottom. It just took a few squirts on the the inflator button.

 

[Giraffe]

A is OW and B is a DM. They're going to be buddies in FL. I don't think they'll be dive bombing, but they need to get down the line promptly. A is pokey by nature.

Neither of us had a problem stopping where the line tied to sailboat rail which was about 10ft above the bottom. It just took a few squirts on the the inflator button.

pokey by nature? Thanks a lot Mr. A!!!! Maybe while diving then as it was pretty new to me. Practice makes perfect-- and the more you dive, the more comfortable you feel. Thanks for the practice dives-- without them I don't think I would have had the guts to go dive in FL. Especially since diver B bailed on me and I was alone in Florida!

 

[matt_unique]

I personally prefer a slow ascent if possible. If you are drift diving you need to sink fast. If you are diving down an anchor or mooring line there is no rush. I like to take the time to equalize my ears, mask, reduce the squeeze in the drysuit, double check my SPG, etc. I am doing all this while ascending of course but I just prefer a slower descent unless in a drift situation.

--Matt

 

[padiscubapro]

. If you are diving down an anchor or mooring line there is no rush. --Matt

depends on how deep you are going.. if you go to slow and do deep stuff it can severely cut into your actual allowable time at depth..

If its a 100fsw dive and it takes 3 minutes no big deal since you ndl time is around 20 minutes (air), but If I'm doing a failry deep dive say 300fsw,I want to be down there by about 4-5 minutes max, if I take 9 minutes I'm already in serious deco before I actually have seen anything..

For these tyoes of dives You pay about 30 minutes of deco for every5 minutes on bottom (the actual time depends on the model and gases used but its a reasonable approximation)

The one thing to remember there are no absolutes, evrything has to be taken into perspective..

 

[matt_unique]

depends on how deep you are going.. if you go to slow and do deep stuff it can severely cut into your actual allowable time at depth..

If its a 100fsw dive and it takes 3 minutes no big deal since you ndl time is around 20 minutes (air), but If I'm doing a failry deep dive say 300fsw,I want to be down there by about 4-5 minutes max, if I take 9 minutes I'm already in serious deco before I actually have seen anything..

For these tyoes of dives You pay about 30 minutes of deco for every5 minutes on bottom (the actual time depends on the model and gases used but its a reasonable approximation)

The one thing to remember there are no absolutes, evrything has to be taken into perspective..

I'm an entry level tech diver so my max depth is 160' for now (breathing leaned Nitrox). I will go no deeper until I complete trimix. I can't comment on the 300' dive reference.

I know a slow decent will cut into your bottom time. The relatively small amount of time at depth lost to a slower decent is not a big deal to me. My first priority is a comfortable, controlled decent and to arrive at the bottom with my buoyancy close to neutral without having to kick the inflator for a longer wing inflate (increasing the risk of freezing the 1st stage). I dive neoprene dry so I have to deal with the increased negative buoyancy at depth more so than a trilam diver.

Of course slow and fast decent is all relative. Perhaps my idea of "slow decent" is more a state of mind of staying on top of buoyancy/suit squeeze/spg checks/etc. I dive with lot's of divers at different levels of experience and my decent rate is not different from theirs.

--Matt