Question Redundancies

[johndiver999]

I'd actually say you're "under" thinking it in this particular scenario, as there are various options. In many places, you can see the surface, so judging safety stop depth isn't difficult. If vis is bad enough that you cannot see the surface, then you can deploy a DSMB -- your buoyancy will thank you for the visual reference and you can put a knot at 15 ft for depth info. There's also the near-certain probability that your buddy's depth gauge still works.

yes and the fact that the op mentioned difficulty with a safety stop shows his unfamiliarity with the issue. Rather than a safety stop depth, a more critical issue is how to perform an ascent at the correct speed (without a computer).

In the event of a computer failure (during a deep recreational dive) one might want to be able to deploy an smb from depth and then slowly wind themselves back up to the surface.

An smb on a reel or spool, provides a considerable degree of safety and can be very helpful in several "problem" situations.

When it comes to redundancy, the diver needs to carefully think about what kind of issues they will be able to handle (and which ones they won't - also ones they deem so unlikely that they are not worth worrying about).

The point is that this is a personal decision and the diver should be able to clearly justify their decisions (at least to themselves). Every single piece of redundant gear comes at a cost of added complexity and also an increase in the probability of a gear failure. It is not "maintain your gear and bring whatever you feel like".

 

[OTF]

A DSMB+spool with a knot in the line at 15 ft can mark your safety stop depth as a backup, and help you stabilize there by giving a visual reference or physical thing to hold.

A DSMB + spool is a really great thing to have, a simple tool useful for probably a dozen other totally different scenarios from rescues to navigation. But new divers need to train and practice to use them properly. It's a simple thing but screwing it up can drag you to the surface.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

What happened to "Follow your smallest bubbles"?
That is the very most basic stuff.
Do they not teach that anymore?
And if you're within your NDL (this is a basic forum) a 15' stop is not mandatory.

 

[Zef]

A DSMB+spool with a knot in the line at 15 ft can mark your safety stop depth as a backup, and help you stabilize there by giving a visual reference or physical thing to hold.

A DSMB + spool is a really great thing to have, a simple tool useful for probably a dozen other totally different scenarios from rescues to navigation. But ALL divers need to train and practice to use them properly. It's a simple thing but screwing it up can drag you to the surface.

Fixed that for ya!

-Z