Had 2 scary experiences: How to avoid in future?

[RonFrank]

As for drift diving. It is easy and fun. 90% of my diving is drift diving. I can't imagine that it is so much more difficult in Cozumel as it is in Florida?

The currents in Coz can be stronger than I've encountered in FL, but I agree. FL drift diving can be more of a challenge. In Coz 60 foot Vis is considered poor, and I did Boynton one day where we had about 15 foot of vis, and the currents were ripping. Lower vis always makes things more challenging.

On SB we tend to put things under a microscope. The reality is that thousands of people visit Coz to dive every week, and many of them are NOT going to be advanced divers. The vast majority go home happy without issue.

I can not stress how strongly I agree with Howarde on carrying a safety sausage. The bigger the better. Don't skimp on this item, and get a 6' SS, and keep it attached to the BC when doing ANY OW ocean diving, and especially drift diving.

 

[RonFrank]

We do not discuss Coz down currents enough, either. Yeah, they're rare - and then usually not that severe, but do happen - some are severe. Caught in one, some say to swim into the wall, while I like to swim away from it - but do not try to swim back up into the current. Get out of it, then slow ascent.

This advice seem contrary to most if not all I've ever read. Why would swimming into the blue be a good idea? Seems like you are then completely without options if the current takes you down to 200 feet, that's where you are going to end up. If you swim towards the wall, you have something to grab onto. While I normally would not condone grabbing onto live coral, if I was in a down current, I'd make an exception if necessary.

Also walls are not vertical without features, and the wall would generally offer some protection from the current.

What have you read, heard, or experienced that would suggest swimming into the blue is a good approach to handling down currents Don?

 

[dbulmer]

Never keep a deployed DSMB attached to your BC or to your person- hold it in your hand so you can release it if a yachtie, speedboat or JetSki grab the DSMB.

 

[HowardE]

Never keep a deployed DSMB attached to your BC or to your person- hold it in your hand so you can release it if a yachtie, speedboat or JetSki grab the DSMB.

Right after Ron said people put things under the microscope.

He was just saying you SHOULD HAVE ONE ATTACHED TO YOUR BC - when you go diving. He didn't say to deploy it and keep it attached

 

[Gombessa]

Of course, as they are frequently member of the community, it is easy to assume a new identity to see the reactions of others.

Not to hijack the thread, but I agree with Mike. The traditional definition of a troll is someone who, regardless of whether they're a regular or not, comes into a community just to start a topic that elicits a fervored response. Someone who fools a community by appropriating a fake identity isn't a troll, although it definitely takes some real brains to do and keep up (even if it's totally obvious from the start, as with John Titor). I would have liked to see your judo guy though, it must have been mind-boggling to his fat butt get tossed around in a competition after developing this mental image of a hardened martial arts expert!!

Back to the subject - I've never drift dived, but I've swam and snorkeled in some pretty strong currents. Regarding descents following a group below you, wouldn't a dive operation in a place like Coz tend to park the boat downcurrent from the dive spot, so you'd have to work your way out to the reef and can ride the current on the return leg?

 

[RonFrank]

Not to hijack the thread, but I agree with Mike. The traditional definition of a troll is someone who, regardless of whether they're a regular or not, comes into a community just to start a topic that elicits a fervored response.

Actually the Traditional definition of a Troll:

A supernatural creature of Scandinavian folklore, variously portrayed as a friendly or mischievous dwarf or as a giant, that lives in caves, in the hills, or under bridges. :satanlook

wouldn't a dive operation in a place like Coz tend to park the boat downcurrent from the dive spot, so you'd have to work your way out to the reef and can ride the current on the return leg?

No. They drop the divers at a starting point on the reef, and then follow them to the pick up point. Swimming into the current in Coz for the most part would be a lesson in futility.

The cool thing about Coz reefs is that often they drop the divers deep on a reef, and one rides the current to a shallower part of the reef so it's a multi-level profile that starts for example at 80', and then slowly ascends to around 30'. Nice!

 

[fisherdvm]

Pretty rude, the post is certainly typical of a vacation diver's possible experience if on an inappropriate boat. Calling her a troll is trolling in itself.

Sorry Don, when I first started to post on Scubaboard, the regulars called me a troll for being so stupid. Now they know me as just stupid, so they stopped calling me a troll. Or at least, they called me a "polling" troll.

I will give the lady the benefit of the doubt... She is not a troll folks..

 

[letterboy]

Sorry Don, when I first started to post on Scubaboard, the regulars called me a troll for being so stupid. Now they know me as just stupid, so they stopped calling me a troll. Or at least, they called me a "polling" troll.

I will give the lady the benefit of the doubt... She is not a troll folks..

I never called you a troll, I just thought you liked poles a little much

 

[DandyDon]

This advice seem contrary to most if not all I've ever read. Why would swimming into the blue be a good idea? Seems like you are then completely without options if the current takes you down to 200 feet, that's where you are going to end up. If you swim towards the wall, you have something to grab onto. While I normally would not condone grabbing onto live coral, if I was in a down current, I'd make an exception if necessary.

Also walls are not vertical without features, and the wall would generally offer some protection from the current.

What have you read, heard, or experienced that would suggest swimming into the blue is a good approach to handling down currents Don?

Many of the much more experienced divers here suggest swimming into the wall so as to have something to grab if needed, as well as a reference for ascent. I'm sure it is a viable approach. I wonder at what point, tho - when does one get out of the harms way. If you ascend on the wall between it and the down current, do you always crawl over the top without getting caught in it?

Many of the much more experienced divers here also suggest swimming away from the wall and down current to do a slow, free ascent. I've only been in one Coz down current and this is what I did - as free ascents are not new to me, easy to do watching the depth gauge. Perhaps we could open a thread with a poll and see what others like best?

The two wrong approaches would be to fight the down current, just like fighting a rip current on the beach is dangerous - or of course to ride it down going "huh?"

 

[bluewatertoy]

The original poster may not be a troll, but they also have not responded with any more info about the supposed descent line or dive site.Just food for thought
Kelly