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Each diver should decide well in advance what there own rules are.
Here are mine for swim through
1. Can I see the exit point.
2. Is it big enough to allow and easy passage. I'm too darned old for wiggling in tight spaces.
3. Are the divers in front of me using good non-silting finning technique
If all three are yes and it looks like I will enjoy the trip I'll make the swim through. If not, I'm perfectly capable of doing a swim over or thumbing the dive.
If a diver can determine these things while at the entrance to the passage and has a clear alternative plan, then the decision is easy.
What I find frustrating is trying to get this sort of information out of a divemaster during a briefing. I start with "How long is it?" The DM replies, "About 20 feet ... well, it's not a straight path--there is a bit of a bend--so maybe a little more." I ask, "Okay, if there's a bend, will I be able to see the exit?" The DM replies, "Depending on today's vis, you may see it clearly or just see the light coming from it." And so it goes. I don't want to grill the DM TOO much for fear of annoying him.
By the time the diver is there at the entrance, the diver may feel pressure to proceed even if things don't look quite as good as he had envisioned. Maybe someone in front stirred up just a little silt. Maybe the way around the swim-through isn't apparent or would take much longer to swim, making linking up with the rest of the group uncertain. Thumbing the dive is pretty drastic--again, the feeling of not wanting to be the odd man out (or odd buddy team).
I think there's something to be said for erring on the conservative side. If there's any question--say, divers of unknown skill level in the group--I usually just say "no thanks" to the swim-through.
Did you have designated buddies, or did you just follow the DM like a flock of sheep?I was the last diver in the group of 8 divers and the DM and his assistant were way in the front. So I fugured it would be more dangerous for the group and me if I suddenly decided to go another route, back to the boat and didn't show up after the cave.
Got it. You didn't have buddies.We did have designated buddies in theory
That is kinda like being just a little pregnant. You are either buddies or you are not.