johndiver999
Contributor
If the "slow" diver(s) have the ability to swim in a more or less vigorous manner, then they can try to maintain a relative position above the dive guide/group by attempting to remain within view of the bubble stream. Generally the current will be stronger in the water column compared to the bottom, so the slow diver will need to kick upstream.Drift dive etiquette question for Jupiter people:
Will be trying to schedule a dive out of Jupiter again this Spring -- really enjoyed it last year. I did actually have one question and/or request for advice. What is the etiquette on one of these dives is someone has trouble clearing? For example, if everyone jumps and the guide and divers are down at the bottom ready to go and it takes someone an extra several minutes to descend, what is the appropriate way to deal with that? (In my family, it's probably about 50/50 that someone will take extra time -- just part of diving for us, although we all get there eventually.)
Since this is a once per year event, I'll probably hire a private guide again, but honestly the primary reason for doing that is not to irritate others in the group if someone takes longer to clear.
If the target is a wreck, the guide has no real choice but to hook off on the wreck, if the slowly descending diver can't make the wreck, then maybe ascend, get on the boat and try another drop?
If the target is a long reef, it may be beneficial to ask the Dive guide to "keep an eye out for you" on the slow descent and he may allow the group to drift a little faster with the current initially , so the relative speed of the group on the bottom is more similar to the descending divers. This makes it easier to stay in the bubble stream and may give the descending a divers a little more time.
Swimming upstream following visual clues or following a compass heading while regulating a descent and battling slow ears, may be too many "balls in the air" for some divers, but it can work when the visibility, the current and the conditions allow it.