Remove and put on gear at surface for PADI test - with weights or not?

[scootley]

Hi folks,

During the PADI Open Water Diver certification, one of the tests is to be at the surface in full gear, and to remove one's BCD/tank/regulator unit and then to put it back on.

If using a non-integrated weight belt, is this test meant to be done while wearing such a weight belt, or not?

Thanks

 

[CamG]

Greetings Scootley and welcome to Scuba Board. To answer your question "Yes". It is really pretty easy with a little practice and your instructor will demonstrate it for you.
In our training sessions we try to demonstrate both with a weight belt and with integrated weights in the BC. I personally have done both and have found it takes a little practice but just pay close attention to the demonstration. It is a very important skill that you will use often when boat diving. Usually you will hand the boat hands your fins, then your weight belt before climbing up the ladder. If you are concerned about this skill tell your instructor and he or she will help you to relax and break it down for you. If you are concerned about being negative with out your BC, you should never loose contact with your BC so you perform the skill while holding onto your BC.
The biggest thing is to relax and practice you will be fine. Soon you will be in the OW and loving it. Keep us posted on your progress.
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Cam is correct. It is a useful skill and not difficult. I have students do this in the pool at least 3 times. One of the ways I teach it is to just relax, lay back, loosen everything, grab the bottom of the bc and pull it down. Then pull it under you and use it to sit on like a raft. In OW I ask my students to keep the reg in their mouth. This is doable. Then to put it back on you just slide into it opposite of the way you took it off. This is if you are using a weightbelt and it results in you never losing contact with the bc. This skill is also a good argument for not putting all your weights in one place if possible. In real life you never remove the bc before the weight belt. If using an integrated bc then you would hand over the weight pockets. Unless you are diving from a RIB and need to do the reentry flop into the boat the last thing you want to get rid of is your air supply. I also will not hand up fins to the boat. They get slipped over my wrists.

 

[oly5050user]

If you are correctly weighed and using the minimum amount of negative weight required,this is a easy skill.You can leave weight belt on and remove tank off your right shoulder while keeping regulator in your mouth.Once it is off you can switch to snorkel.You will see that there is no effort to stay on surface with your head in the water while breathing on snorkel if you are properly weighed.Now sit on unit as said before and let it slide up on you.
If using a weight intergrated bcd ,then the action of removing tank also removes weights at the same time.No real need to take out weight pockets,if you do remove pockets you increase the chance of having to purchase new ones once you loose them.If you have alot of lead in the pockets and have a crew member on a boat take unit out of water remember to tip well

 

[offthewall1]

Hi folks,

During the PADI Open Water Diver certification, one of the tests is to be at the surface in full gear, and to remove one's BCD/tank/regulator unit and then to put it back on.

If using a non-integrated weight belt, is this test meant to be done while wearing such a weight belt, or not?

Thanks

In a word - YES

This is one of the easier skills to master. Most important is to remember to clear your hoses out of way before re-donning the BCD so that you don't tangle yourself up. I'm sure your Instructor will give your a proper demonstration before having you attempt the skill.

... on that note...

Here is something for all those taking classes to consider. People often ask on this board how to know if they've found a quality Instructor. One sure fire way to know is the demonstration quality of the skills they perform for you. A good Instructor will flawlessly perform each skill - in demonstration quality (slow, deliberate and clear.)

Instructors who rush the skills, are unable to perform the skill for you in a way you can clearly see and understand or who flail around etc... are not the guy or gal you want teaching you.

Instructors should be able to perform every skill virtually with their eyes closed and make it look easy. This is not to be showing off... but rather to put you - the student - at ease and show you that by taking your time, thinking it through and following the proper steps as demonstrated - you too can master the skill quickly, safely and efficiently.

If your Instructor struggles with a skill so much so that you're not getting it - don't see clearly what he/she is doing, then look for another Instructor. You might also ask them to slow down... as perhaps they're simply rushing because you're in a cattle call (big) class and they have limited time - but don't let their problems become yours.

Cheers, and happy and safe diving...

 

[Scott L]

Instuctors, any students not have enough gas in BCD and rig sank?

 

[robertarak]

When I teach this skill I always have the student remove the weight belt first. I drill into them that they are NEVER to remove their BC AT THE SURFACE with their weight belt on. We talk about times that a boat crew will ask you to hand up your BC and that they should hand their weight belt off first. We practice doing this. Weight belt off, then BC, then BC back on followed by weight belt.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I drill into them that they are NEVER to remove their BC AT THE SURFACE with their weight belt on.

Please remind me why you do this

 

[Dr Wu]

Instuctors, any students not have enough gas in BCD and rig sank?

Never. Most training gear floats. There are many reasons for this.

 

[Scott L]

I drill into them that they are NEVER to remove their BC AT THE SURFACE with their weight belt on.

Please remind me why you do this

If I may, a diver could be dangerously oveweighted with weight belt on and just fins to keep head above water. If hand contact with boat is lost a marginal diver (especially with split fins) has problems staying above water with the posiability of having to jettison their weight belt fairly quickly....