Imitating a drill bit

[derwoodwithasherwood]

I went for my first dive of the season today. Water temperature was 37°F so I was wearing lots of neoprene and perhaps I personally gained some bouyancy over the winter months to boot. The net result is that at about 1500psi, I discovered there was no more air left in the BC.

As the bottom disapeared from view (which didn't take long because visibility was only about 2-3 feet) I decided a nice big rock was in order. I nosed down and began to swim. I immediately experienced some nasea which I guessed must be vertigo -- I've never had it happen before, but I've read about effects of cold water on the ears, etc. Suddenly the bottom came back into view of my light and it was spinning wildly. It took me a moment to realize that I was the one spinning wildly and when I corrected, the nasea disapeared instantly.

Forgetting the rock, I decided to play with this for a bit. I allowed myselft to float up, losing all visual references, and then tried to swim straight down. Each time I came in spiraling to the right. I could not swim straight down (even when I tried to spin left) until I could see the bottom.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? Any tips on how to counter it? (I mean, besides weighting myself properly to begin with).

 

[The Kraken]

Kinda like walking in the woods at night without a light, or with one for that matter. Unless you're trained not to do so, you'll always walk in a circle.

This is caused by the unequal lengths of the legs and relative strengths in the favored extremeties. Because a longer step will be taken with the favored leg, a disparate cadence is established causing the person to walk in a very large circle.

The same problem is inherent in diving. One leg is stronger than the other so it will create more force on that side resulting in a turn to the opposite side.

Some people try to overcome this natural tendency and over correct and actually end up going in opposite circles.

Of course there is always the possibility that you may be suffering some inner ear problems.

 

[RICHinNC]

Did you have a piece of equipment hanging out that could act like a plane?? And, it cause you to spiral?

 

[derwoodwithasherwood]

Kinda like walking in the woods at night without a light, or with one for that matter. Unless you're trained not to do so, you'll always walk in a circle.

I know about that one. I keep one eye on the compass to ensure a reasonably straight line while I'm swimming along. Otherwise I slowly circle left. But could that cause me to spiral like that?

Did you have a piece of equipment hanging out that could act like a plane?? And, it cause you to spiral?

Most stuff was safely tucked away in pockets. Octo was in a holder, light in right hand (pistol style). I believe I dropped the console in favour of the dump valve when I started to rise. Maybe it was acting like a trim tab?

 

[AevnsGrandpa]

Wow, That sounds like the dive I just had this Saturday.

Not a very deep dive, only about 20-25 feet in a small lake but when swimming between a couple of boats that had been sunk, following the line that was tied between the 2, my world started doing the twist. Never have had that problem before. No problems with equalizing or anything else with my ears that I knew of, but dizzy!!! Had to stop and star at the bottom to keep things from moving. Water was 51 degrees F.

Jeff

 

[RICHinNC]

Any Navy subs in the area testing Very Low Freq equipment??

 

[jrs_diesel]

Has anyone else ever experienced this? Any tips on how to counter it? (I mean, besides weighting myself properly to begin with).

One thing I can think of. Just remember which way bubbles go. If you know a specific direction then you can get your equilibrium back.

 

[derwoodwithasherwood]

One thing I can think of. Just remember which way bubbles go. If you know a specific direction then you can get your equilibrium back.

Good tip, and one I use when surfacing with no visual reference. Unfortunately in this specific case I was swimming down, looking for the bottom, and couldn't see the bubbles.