Equipment If you can't drop your weights and you are sinking

[Bogie]

44 lb not able to dump? Buddy Diving? Instructor ????

Wow.

 

[Wibble]

That is ridiculous. You think having to remove a second stage and blow into an inflator is as bad as it can get??? lf that situation arose for me, it would be of zero concern to me.

Yes, it is exceedingly difficult to blow into a casualty's BCD inflator -- unless they're on the bottom or extremely cooperative.

Anyway, this is moot as if they've literally emptied their gas they're probably dead.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Not all, BSAC teach the Controlled Buoyant Lift in Ocean Diver, the elementary entry course.

Yup I have mentioned this often about my BSAC training.

 

[Centrals]

Yup I have mentioned this often about my BSAC training.

Do you understand the meaning of "NOT ALL"?

 

[Centrals]

Yes, it is exceedingly difficult to blow into a casualty's BCD inflator -- unless they're on the bottom or extremely cooperative.

Anyway, this is moot as if they've literally emptied their gas they're probably dead.

I had experienced it once when my power inflator failed on decent. The tec dive guide noticed that I was trying to inflate the wing orally(it was NOT easy). Luckily the sandy bottom was our max planned depth(51m). We did not abort the dive and finished the dive according to our plan.

 

[Centrals]

BTW, I used twin bladder for all of my tec dives. The redundancy inflator was not connected to any hose but stowed carefully so I could pull it out quickly if required.
Retired from tec dive several yrs ago. Getting too old for that.

No weight to drop because it was NOT needed.

 

[johndiver999]

Yes, it is exceedingly difficult to blow into a casualty's BCD inflator -- unless they're on the bottom or extremely cooperative.

Anyway, this is moot as if they've literally emptied their gas they're probably dead.

no again no. If the diver is dead it still makes sense to put air in their BC for the trip to the surface. As explained before, this should reduce the chance of losing them.

 

[inquis]

The tec dive guide noticed that I was trying to inflate the wing orally(it was NOT easy)

?? Perhaps you had a weird inflator or something, but I find it quite easy. Early on, I went for quite a while without a "power inflator" hose because the LDS wanted $100 to replace mine. To this day, I always add air orally before getting in the water.

 

[johndiver999]

Oral inflation is one of the most rudimentary skills, can't believe experienced people think otherwise. Personally, I HATE not having a power inflator because I have my hands full normally, but the skill itself is trivial. Are people that afraid of removing their regulator underwater?`

 

[Wibble]

Oral inflation is one of the most rudimentary skills, can't believe experienced people think otherwise. Personally, I HATE not having a power inflator because I have my hands full normally, but the skill itself is trivial. Are people that afraid of removing their regulator underwater?`

Manually inflating the BCD is a rudimentary skill; same as removing and reconnecting the Schrader valve or connecting it to alternative gas sources.

As we all know, it's on the LH chest and can be pulled to your mouth or you can manipulate the quick disconnect with both hands -- maybe one hand, but not for reconnecting. Of course, if running a rebreather, you will need to bail out to open circuit as you must hold sufficient breath to get back on the loop (clear the mouthpiece).

Manual inflating needs two hands; one to hold the BCD inflator, the other to remove, hold and replace your OC 2nd stage regulator.

Now for a rescue scenario... Back or front?

From the back: gripping the casualty from behind, you're some way away from their inflator hose as it's typically under a bungee to hold it in place. One handed you need to pull the inflator out and up and maybe, just maybe, you can get it in front of your mouth using your left hand. How do you then take your own regulator out? OK, spit it out, hoping it stays under your chin and doesn't drop away or get tangled in the casualty's gubbins. One lungful, then get back on your reg without dropping the casualty, then repeat if necessary.

From the front: you're facing the casualty who would normally be conscious and providing some assistance. That should be easier as you can grab their inflator using your right hand and use your left hand to remove your reg to inflate their BCD. Not at all easy if their buoyancy is out of control.

This is a nightmare if trying to control your buoyancy if the casualty's overweighted. Both getting them to ascend and dumping just enough to control that ascent.


Obviously once you've surfaced it becomes easier to inflate using your own breath -- you've a chance of using the air to breathe and you can fully inflate your BCD and use your legs to grip the casualty.