"Proper" use of a reel

[doghouse]

This appears to be revealing some information. In this area, we have Extremely poor vis. as a rule. There is also lots of current. The line is just a way that they are using to aid in you finding your way back to the boat.

I was wondering since we have mud / clay for most of the bottom around here, would bringing a "dog stake" screw to anchor the line at the beginning be an alternative to tying to the anchor? Hmm... a couple extra screw style tent stakes could mark the way along the bottom and would be small enough. That would help keep the line in place...
Just some more thoughts to get input on.

 

[shadragon]

I was wondering since we have mud / clay for most of the bottom around here, would bringing a "dog stake" screw to anchor the line at the beginning be an alternative to tying to the anchor? Hmm... a couple extra screw style tent stakes could mark the way along the bottom and would be small enough. That would help keep the line in place...

If you are doing a mapping project, or a search and recovery dive then a "dog stake" would be a good idea as a reference point. Our Deep Dive instructor laid a negatively buoyant rope ahead of time as a visual reference for the class to follow from the mooring line. We stopped at the end of the line and were at 120 feet. However, we all had our compasses set just in case. To navigate a flat bottom you should use a compass and get used to using that to get around. If you rely exclusively on a reel line to find your way back then the odds will catch up with you one day. Lines break, get cut, foul and entangle and you can find yourself at depth with no idea which way to go. Where I dive a free ascent is almost never a safe option because of current and / or boat traffic.

To the original poster - You should get a good compass, learn how to use it properly and always know the direction to a safe exit point before you submerge. Reels are an excellent tool, but they have specific applications and you should take the appropriate training / instruction for whatever diving you plan on doing.

Safe diving...

 

[grazie42]

I´ve found trying to use a compass on a large steel wreck pretty pointless...