Good way to practice task loading?

[haumana ronin]

What is a good way for a new diver to practice task loading? I think doing anything "real" could freak out a DM and/or boat crew. Should I do complex math on a slate, hum greatest hits, play with a rubik's cube or what? :geek: What has anyone else done?

:zen:

 

[RJP]

Task loading is an "adverse condition" so I'm not sure why you would want to practice it. Can't see a reason to add unnecessary complexity (rubik's cube?) to a dive simply for the sake of doing so. What would be the point?

Better approach is to ensure you DON'T add a new task until you've got everything else dialed in - especially buoyancy - as pretty much second nature. Then add a new task.

 

[scubajim 1]

I must agree with RJP to a certain point...but I think what you are actually asking how you can fine tune your skills.
One thing I love seeing a new (or craggy old diver like myself) doing is their skill circuit while hovering in mid water.
Make sure to check with the DM or your buddy and let them know what you are going to do before the dive.

I think you will find it challenging and fun to do this. More fun then math or a Rubics Cube (unless done at 90 feet )

 

[soltari675]

I'd say start small and work up. For example, start first with getting your buoyancy and weighting under control. Once you feel confident you have these down without thinking about it, add something new, like say a light to look into holes or for night diving. Once you are great with that, add something else. Like using a slate, or a simple camera. (worry about strobes later. I learned that.) And just work up to whatever you need.

 

[Charlie99]

Rather than working on task loading, I suggest working on situational awareness.

Your posts sounds as if you are diving in a DM led group. Assuming it is a typical group of 6 or so, a good task to try would be to stay aware of the position of all 5 or 6 other divers.

Then try to be aware of the state or actions of the divers. Are they struggling with buoyancy? Are the unusually excited? Did they just see something really cool? If divers are signalling to the DM their air pressure, did you see what they signaled?


Improving your situational awareness is a useful task loading.

 

[dkktsunami]

If you have access to a lake with dark water, dark enough to require the use of a compass, learn to swim to various points in the lake, watching compass, and maintaining buoyancy. Then add another skill like running a dive line or removing and replacing mask. Do this type of thing until the activities become second nature. Good luck.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

As a relatively new diver, I find that it's not very difficult for me to be task loaded. So I am able to practice that just by doing normal dive things "on purpose." Examples would be using my compass for navigation, checking my SPG more frequently than strictly necessary, flooding/clearing my mask, writing notes on a slate to my buddy, doing an air-share drill, un-stowing/re-stowing an SMB, etc. Combining tasks is even more effective.

 

[seaducer]

Sure I can hover, and adjust my BC only once or twice during a dive, and I am relatively level, but I need a visual reference and it takes concentration, a lot of it.

I do believe you have answered your own question. I would say you are plenty loaded up just getting comfortable with diving, no need to get creative.

As you gain competence things will sort themselves out. Being in control of where you are uw is the important part of being task loaded, i.e. you can take a picture or tie in to a wreck, deploy an smb etc while maintaining your trim and buoyancy. Important to get that first, the rest falls into place.

 

[spectrum]

The best thing you can do regarding task loading at this point is to be aware of it.

* Juggling a light on your first night dive will be task loading.
* If dive flags are pulled in your area towing the flag will task load you.
* Do you do any gathering? Work your catch bag to stash your finds while swimming in control will task-load you.
* Maintaining visual contact with your buddy on ascent / descent will load you.

* Second thought, One I'll suggest right off is to drill your alternate second while you are swimming along. Deploy, switch and stow, all on the fly.

Think twice before mixing two task loaders until both have been mastered.

Pete

 

[lowviz]

............Being in control of where you are uw is the important part of being task loaded...............

Good advice.

Task loading: Stop, Think (prioritize), Act.

Easy for a new diver to practice task loading. Work on skills one at a time while being very much aware that you may have seconday issues to worry about.

Example:
Deploying a DSMB and it is taking your mask with it.

So you practice both deploying a DSMB and lost mask drills one at a time until you are comfortable with both. So now when the dreaded event happens, it's no biggie.

The trick is to turn issues into non-issues through practice. This can be done one issue at a time.