making a dive plan

[NeWes]

Hi all,

I just got my cert. with a couple friends. We don't really know anyone with any real dive experiance except some of the guys at the lds.

I had a question about forming a dive plan.

What do you cover in the dive plan?

and how do you go about forming one?

also when going on a charter boat do they give you some sort of orientation of the area you'll be diving?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kim22]

It all really depends on where you're diving. For example, if it's a shore dive, you would want to consider the wind and wave action. On a charter boat, the dive master or captain will give you a dive briefing that usually includes depth, a general outline of the reef, wreck or area you are diving, the best way to navigate the area including how to find the boat/ascent line, bottom time and what time to be back on the boat, etc. If you have questions they are usually very good about answering all of them as long as you were paying attention during the original briefing. From your post, it sounds like you and the buddies you plan to dive with are all newbie divers. If that's the case, then my opinion is that no matter where you plan to dive - charter or local dive spot - is to either stick with the dive master on the first few charters you go on, or find an experienced local diver to dive with for a while to show you the local dive spots so you can get familiar with them. If you are all newbies, it could be pretty dangerous for you to just go out and dive in unfamiliar areas. If you are shore diving, it's best to have someone on the beach watching out for you (and your stuff) just in case there is an emergency. The guys at your shop should be able to hook you up with some experienced divers to show you around, and probably wouldn't mind diving with you themselves. My shop sets up local group dives all the time, all experience levels welcome.

Have fun and dive safe!

 

[woodsandwatertoo]

How did you get cert. without knowing this? I assume you are PADI from your "need a log book binder post"

Instructions are on the Recreational Dive Planner. With your educational materials should have been a small book that explained this and taught you also.

Take a look at this stuff and if you still need help understanding how and why. Write me back.

Would be Happy to help you out with understanding this if need be.

 

[woodsandwatertoo]

As far as orientation, some charters do and some dont. If it is a reputable charter, divemasters will tell you. If they dont say something, ASK THEM.

Being a new diver you want to follow the dive master around. And sometimes depending on your dive experience they will automatically stay with you depending on the dive.

Happy and Safe Diving.

 

[HowardE]

Hi all,

I just got my cert. with a couple friends. We don't really know anyone with any real dive experiance except some of the guys at the lds.

I had a question about forming a dive plan.

What do you cover in the dive plan?

and how do you go about forming one?

also when going on a charter boat do they give you some sort of orientation of the area you'll be diving?

Thanks in advance!

Dive plans can be simple to complex. At your stage in the game... I'd keep them simple.

- We're going to descend to 50 feet for 45 minutes (or till someone hits XX psi - depending on your tank size and service pressure), swim along the reef, and then begin our ascent.

to very complex - which we probably don't need to address at this stage of the game.

--

Generally, forming a dive plan depends on the site. If you're on a boat, the boat staff usually briefs you on the profile, so you can form a safe plan based on the dive tables, and the profile they tell you.

"The reef here is at 50 feet, and..." so you can look at the dive table, and figure out your limits. I also take into consideration what the second dive will be like, and approximately how long we'll have between dives. This way, you can adjust your ending pressure group (by shortening your dive) if need be.

I hope this helps.

 

[Trixxie]

First be sure to be familiar where you are diving. If you aren't you make want to take someone with you who is.

Usual topics in a dive plan:
Entry and Exit point
Max Depth
Max bottom Time/PSI turn around - decide which of these govern your turning point
Safety Stop
Basic Hand Signals
Who is leading, who is following
Dive objective: what are you doing / where are you going on your dive?
be familiar with each others gear
Knowing that anyone can call a dive at anytime and it's ok
is there shore support to call for help or have O2 in the event it's needed?
experience - make sure not to dive beyond your buddy's training or comfort level

 

[NeWes]

We did discuss making dive plans and some of the things to discuss in forming the plan. (depth, time, hand signals etc...)

I guess what I'm looking for would be to hear like a mock dive plan discussion. so i can see actual real world implication of the skill.

 

[Ken abucs]

I think any dive plan should address:
1. Gas Management - IE when to turn the dive (Plenty of threads on Scubaboard)
2. Navigation - Natural features and/or compass headings
3. Lost Buddy procedures - usually search for 1 minute, then surface and wait for your buddy.
4. Planned Depth
5. Hand Signals - are sure you're on the same page

There are many other thing you might want to consider:

1. Specific concerns - Issues specific to the site (eg currents, tides, boats, fishermen, etc)
2. Activities - Are you just site seeing, or is someone taking pictures, fishing, etc.
3. Entry/Exit - Whether it's a shore dive or a boat dive, make sure you know how to get in and out of the water.

 

[tomboyy]

How did you get cert. without knowing this? I assume you are PADI from your "need a log book binder post"

Instructions are on the Recreational Dive Planner. With your educational materials should have been a small book that explained this and taught you also.

Take a look at this stuff and if you still need help understanding how and why. Write me back.

Would be Happy to help you out with understanding this if need be.

you know what happens when you assume?

you come off sounding mean

Tom

 

[Sas]

you know what happens when you assume?

you come off sounding mean

Tom

I agree.

What happened in your training is in the past, and you are trying to learn here so ignore any posts like the one tomboyy quoted.

I too lack experienced people to dive with so had to go at it alone from dive 15 (winter was beginning so not as many DM lead trips run). I made a list of questions to ask the buddy I was assigned on the boat, which I continue to do now with both regular buddies and instabuddies:

-max depth
-which direction will we go in, will we return to shot line or put up an SMB
-related to the above, who will be the main navigator (or basically, the leader), usually it is easier if one person decides on the direction throughout the dive. Though if I am not the main navigator I still take bearings in case the other person gets us lost (with varying degrees of success!)
-total run time and length and depth of safety stops
-what is the turn around gas (you should ascend when you reach your turn around gas or total run time finishes, whichever comes first), here I usually ask how long they can do a dive at that depth, just to get an idea of their SAC, but with new buddies I ask to check their gauges throughout the dive in case they forget to let me know at the turnaround point
-hand signals including low on air, cold, cramps, trouble, equalisation issues, one for asking to check their gauges or air pressure, safety stop signs, "awesome", deco, run time left, and slow down (this one is good to go over with inexperienced divers). Here I also ask about how often to give each other the ok sign and stress that it should be returned with either ok or not ok.
-what will happen if we lose one another - look for 1min then ascend, skipping safety stop
-what will happen if one of us runs out of air, like a few of my buddies have dived with a long hose set up so we go over about how I should ask for the primary rather than occy, stuff like that.
-anything in particular we both want to get out of a dive.

I don't do shore dives with instabuddies ever, but when I do those kinds of dives, I call my partner with our dive run time so if I don't call him back by then he can raise the alarm.

With the dive site, if you are on a boat, the operator should know the site pretty well so they have always been happy to answer any of my questions about compass bearings, stuff to see, etc.

Good luck on your dives