Let me pass this by you all and of course feel free to comment. It has been somewhat suggested already early in this thread but not quite how I would agree to using something like this. I do use this cookie and I will explain why. See thumbnail picture below
Personal Line Arrows:
I do not believe that arrows should ever be placed in any orientation other then pointing towards an exit. This applies even when the exit may not be the one of which you entered from. Example: As in the case of Peacock to Olsen where the line arrows change past the halfway mark (opposing arrows) you would adjust your orientation to reflect the exit when and if you place an arrow. Problem here is, that you should not assume that a diver has proven the exit hense Cave Situational Awareness, Line Awareness etc is an important part of cave diving, a skill that must be developed.
So I would place an arrow towards Olsen's or Peacock's Exit appropriately with consistency of the main navigational arrows and still exit the proven known path out. This simple rule, I can apply to cave systems I know and do not know. When applied in conjunction with other cave diving rules such as gas limits I should always be able to get back to the exit or entry starting point, an exit I have proven. If I have proven the complete cave system of connecting exits then I can exit the known route to the shortest swim exit point. I know Peacock, Pothole and Olsen's Sink, Thus I can then choose to exit at any of the three exit points subject to the emergency requirement. I do not know (example)The Black Bay system , therefore I will only exit where I have have proven the exit path. Until I learn a cave system better I will only go to the guaranteed known exit.
My dive buddies hopefully can still find and see my arrow. If the arrow is pointing to an exit of which they have not proven themselves then they will exit the system along the passage they do know. This way my arrow simply tells them I have left the cave system and marks my relative cave position of penetration. They decide what exit they will take.
In this manner, I have maintained line arrow consistency, have not placed a directional device incorrectly possibly causing disorientation to another dive team or diver, my buddy.
By maintaining cave situational awareness I have reduced the disorientation element. My dive buddy through cave situational awareness has been reconfirmed to the cave and will decide his exit path.(which is even more important then finding me)
(Cave situational awareness = Cave configuration and outstanding features, line placement and path, penetration distance, time status, gas status, buddy awareness (position and equipment), communication awareness (light, line, hand, touch, equipment),bottom composition, current flow to name a few points)
Cookies:
Whether it is lost buddy or a point of reached penetration I can use an arrow as mentioned above or I can use a cookie (non-directional marker).
The cookie marks our point of penetration. In a traverse this can be used to confirm exits thus proving the cave passage to either exit. It can be used at T or Y junctions to mark the penetration line used, again the path to a known exit. It can be used to distinguish my reel from another one and many other uses.
In the context of a lost buddy marker. It anchors my search line, It tells MY TEAM mates I was here and by the hand drawn arrow (team communication) which direction I went without interferring with the main line arrows navigation exit orientation. In a dark lights out passage it doesn't matter that you can see my drawn arrow or not, the cookie doesn't confuse navigation when compared to other arrows. The cookie is a multi-use tool but should never be casusing confusion to navigation. It's use MUST be communicated before the dive as to its application to the dive team you are with.
The arrow vs the cookie - both can be used equally but the arrow if used incorrectly can lead to catastrophic results.
The Safety Reel:
Clip method is used by many and quite successfully I may add. When I see this clip arrangement I undertsand its meaning. I was exposed to it and undertsand this method of communication with it.
Do I use this method? No, by personal choice
I believe the consistency of the reel clip should be maintained. The clip always coming back onto the reels own line. In most instances the clip will be oriented to the exit, be that of a jump, primary reel tie off. Even in a lost line drill you are referred back to your tie off point ( you again have reference) and if you are secured back onto the main cave line then you can make a decission as to what direction to go. If not the main cave line then you may have several additional choices to make to exit the system. It's all about having reference and cave situational awareness.
The point here is to make a choice, don't delay use your cave situational awareness factors to help, it only takes a second - pick a direction using that refeence and go. Your buddy having team awareness of your equipment may still see your reel (unless dark and then by feel he will confirm) and know its yours. If he is on the same line you will either bump into him or be moving away from him. The important thing here is that you exit and he exits you do not have to be together, but it is best to be.
CAN you still do a lost buddy search? YES this is what cave situational awareness is all about. Do you still have gas and time available to do a search? Do you still have the equipment (lights) to do a search? The bottom line is you must make a decission, conduct your risk assessment and then under control, act upon that decission but never to the extent that it reduces YOUR ability to safely exit the cave.
While I do not completely disagree with the use of the clip communication method I prefer not to use or teach it.
In the end you as the cave diver must do what works to get YOU out of the cave in an emergency situation. How you mark your presense and or intent and action to a lost dive buddy must be communicated and understood and agreed to before the dive to the team as a whole. It must never cause the potential to confuse cave navigation placing your dive team or others at a greater risk.
Cave diving is about exploration, and comradship. It requires the ability to make decissions based on risk assessment and acceptance. The challenge to control ones state of mind over the environment. In the end you are solely responsible in this very social activity.
