But, really, is the horizontal position always the best one?
The short answer is "no". Different conditions require different approaches.
The question behind the question is more important. Trim is usually only touched on in open water, and it's rarely defined adequately much less equated to being horizontal. I've even heard a few instructors explain it as not having a lot of danglies. Why? It's because, in an open ocean, you have little to restrict you from diving in most any attitude until you get to the bottom. It's then when your horrible trim wreaks havoc, both for the environment and your fellow divers. Unfortunately, the roto-tillers never see the clouds of silt they create. At their usual 45
o tilt they see only what's in front of them, while the mess they are creating is below and behind them. Consequently, I've seen horrible silters who believe their trim is impeccable. It amazes me just how much crap they stir up but think it's everyone else's problem and not theirs. Just like a few posters here on SB, actually, and thanks to the Mod who cleaned this thread up!!!
The real question then, is why are there so many divers that can't or won't dive horizontally when the conditions call for it? I don't really care how you dive 20 ft above the bottom, but why are you kicking the crap out of my reef when you're close? Why do you think we are being so unreasonable in wanting you to stop doing that? If you want to dive within an arm's length of the reef, but can't get horizontal and frog kick, then you're screwing it up. A soft horizontal flutter kick requires at least 4ft of clearance. An angled/overweighted flutter kick requires 10ft or more. However, a horizontal frog kick requires merely an inch or two, depending on your skill and situational awareness. It's my humble opinion that they aren't diving horizontally mostly because they can't. Few divers can hover two inches above the bottom, close their eyes for a minute or two and remain precisely where they started. Rather than commit the time, energy, and mental acuity needed to achieve this, it's easier to tell those who can that being horizontal is over-rated. Meh.
As for dive professionals having to dive in a supine position to herd their kittens: rubbish. Those are reminiscent of underwater forced marches as they try to push their herd to the next photo-op. I've taught and guided professionally, and the only time I do that is to show off or if we're at our safety stop and I'm mostly vertical already. It's easier to listen to what's happening around you and then lower your head and look between your fins if things don't sound right.
. I was like: how come those people who are better divers than me don’t know GUE? Except one guy with 25 years of experience with the US navy who told me he never saw a DIR diver in Koh Samui. People thought I was showing off releasing my DSMB horizontal. I was also very surprised that very experienced divers had jacket BCDs and not BP/W. I got my answer to why releasing the DSMB in an horizontal is better if not more confortable. Thanks @ginti . Last word: diving in Thailand was really awesome
. I only knew Bangkok before. Everything in the islands is wonderful for the divers. People’s attitude, weather, food, partying. I will come back in September.
