Today I did the first 2 dives for Search & Recovery class. My 5th specialty and best so far. Actually found 2 weight belts (and an old useless outboard). I used my newly purchased Dive Rite 100# lift bag. To get back to the anchor line I had to swim against a wicked current. The lift bag really made the swim tough (all the extra surface area catching the current). I was kicking hard, grabbiing the bottom and pushing the lift bag line with my shoulder like a tackling sled. I was exhausted when I reached the anchor line (which was attached to the deck of a wreck). When the lift bag was about 10 feet off the bottom I started to feel it pulling up hard. I started pulling on the purge but no air was released. My instructor came over and "helped" the air out as the air level was "higher" than the purge. He tethered the lift bag line to the anchor line and we shimmied it to the surface. My question (finally) is this - I want to always have a lift bag attached to my BC - but today's experience has me wondering if 100# is the best choice. It's like a 50# bag can't lift as much as a 100# bag (obviously) but a 100# bag isn't right for smaller weights.
Any advice/suggestions/comments appreciated.
Any advice/suggestions/comments appreciated.