Safety stop body position

[Rogersea]

Most of my safety stops are done in a horizontal position because they are spent at the top of the reef still looking at critters. If I am in blue water I will do it vertically since It is really easy to hang there in a neutrally bouyant state.

I have not read or heard of any benifit for recreational divers to do it horizontally.

Cheers,
Roger

 

[rongoodman]

I do them horizontally--it's a good time to practice being still and flat in the water.

 

[Nemrod]

Good grief folks, recreational diving is supposed to be ....... recreational! Who says that most of the dive should be from the horizontal position and WHY? In the right current I LOVE to do most of my dive vertical. I just stand up like I would on land and have an excellent view of everything

Because standing on the bottom or on the reef is considered bad form. Because getting vertical precludes swimming anywhere but up or down. Because people who stand vertical in the water also generally hand swim and bicycle/walk through the water smashing coral, knocking other divers in the face. Because it just looks dumb and the surest sign of a beginner is the tendency to stand up and walk underwater. Who says so, just about all experienced divers.

Just some pretty sand, perfect to stand vertical on:

N

 

[Diver0001]

I've had diferent Dive Masters tell me that on a safety stop your body should be horizontal, that way your whole body is at the same depth. Others have said that it should be vertical so you can see other divers above you, and the boat. Others have said whatever is comfortable. Which is correct?

For all the difference it makes during a safety stop, it's one of those issues where people like to measure with a micrometer what has been cut with an axe.

I've heard people say that if you're doing tonnes of deco it can make a difference but that's not the case in your case.

That said, it *is*, in my opinion, good to practice hovering during the safety stop and the preferred way to hover while diving is usually horizontal, because that's how you normally dive too.

R..

 

[miked]

IIRC one of the longest, hottest, and most vitriolic threads on SB was on this very topic.Let's try to keep this one more civil!

 

[Nwcid]

Well since it is a "safety" stop and not even required body position should matter even less.

 

[cbm32]

Nemrod, if you cant be vertical in the water without standing on something....get another hobby dude. That was a huge load of crap you posted. I think it was pretty obvious that by "stand up" I meant being perfectly vertical in the water and not standing on a reef or anything else. I really hope I never end up on a boat with you or anyone else with your attitude.

 

[Rogersea]

Nemrod, if you cant be vertical in the water without standing on something....get another hobby dude. That was a huge load of crap you posted. I think it was pretty obvious that by "stand up" I meant being perfectly vertical in the water and not standing on a reef or anything else. I really hope I never end up on a boat with you or anyone else with your attitude.

CBM32,
As a relatively experienced diver it was crystal clear what you meant.

It is real tiring when posters attempt to demean others, especcially in the BASIC SCUBA Forum where there are special rules of civility.


Cheers,
Roger

 

[TSandM]

I did a lovely dive a few years back, off a dive boat in Maui that had attracted a bunch of experienced divers. Several dove solo, more or less; they felt their proximity to the group was enough. One spent most of a drift dive in the Buddha position. I had no issues with that. I wouldn't do it, because to be honest, I wouldn't be comfortable in that position. But she was stable, quiet, and comfortable, and that's good diving in my book.

Vertical on ascent has other issues, having to do with neutral buoyancy and finning, and task loading . . . The hovering position while diving need to protect the environment, and render the diver stable and able to move where they want or need to be. I'm happy with horizontal -- but if you are diving solo, in a current and drfiting, vertical is just fine.

 

[gcarter]

1. You should always be horizontal throughout your dive unless a specific need requires different.

I see this asserted all the time but still have not seen a compelling reason why. To me it is both situational and personal comfort.

Example: Drifting at 80 fsw, taking in the scenery, no coral or silt beneath your feet to worry about kicking, there is no NEED to be in any particular position - so why not just dive the position most comfortable?