I will be a dive master on an upcoming dive. Does anyone have some suggestions on setting the dive float. I will be using an inner tube design with a rope tied off to a secure spot on the beach. The float will have a down line from the bottom of the float to a corkscrew auger to put in the sand. Any suggestions on the actual process of setting the screw will making sure the down line doesn't get away from me?
Setting Dive Float Suggestions
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Can't you use a lead weight? Sand isn't the most secure thing to anchor to. Weight or weight with a hook is usually your best bet. If there is something solid to tie to that would be best. Most the places we go to here either have a basket full of rocks or a concrete block with metal loops sticking out of it. We'd just tie to the basket/metal loop.
fire_diver
Contributor
Your description makes no sense. A line from the float to shore? Why? Using a screw-set in sand? That won't survive one big wave or a student trying to pull themselves down the line.
It sounds like you've never dove the site, are there any other DMs or instructors you can ask for better tie-off spots?
It sounds like you've never dove the site, are there any other DMs or instructors you can ask for better tie-off spots?
I'm also not sure what you mean by the line running to the beach... Were you just referring to the down line again going into the "beach" on the bottom? If you're actually talking about running it to the beach (dry land) that might not work so well....
We anchor 99.9% of our floats in sand with corkscrew anchors so that shouldn't be a problem! You just have to make sure that you have a good anchor and that you actually screw it in all the way. When done properly with a down line and then a tag line (running across the bottom - which can be an extension of the same line), i've seen a class of 10+ students all hanging on it (or rather getting dragged across the bottom...) with very heavy surge. The anchors easily held in just sand.
I don't know which type of corkscrew anchor you're using, but this is the type we use which works very well:
We usually use two, one at the bottom of the down line, and the other on the end of the tag line. The extra metal piece makes screwing them all the way in very easy (enough torque even in bad conditions). If you're just using a down line --> only one anchor. If you're worrying about the line getting away from you while you're screwing the anchor in, and you can't take a buddy down with you to hold it, take an extra 4 lb weight, clip it to that and set it in the sand. Just keep an eye on it, but it should be fine!
We anchor 99.9% of our floats in sand with corkscrew anchors so that shouldn't be a problem! You just have to make sure that you have a good anchor and that you actually screw it in all the way. When done properly with a down line and then a tag line (running across the bottom - which can be an extension of the same line), i've seen a class of 10+ students all hanging on it (or rather getting dragged across the bottom...) with very heavy surge. The anchors easily held in just sand.
I don't know which type of corkscrew anchor you're using, but this is the type we use which works very well:
We usually use two, one at the bottom of the down line, and the other on the end of the tag line. The extra metal piece makes screwing them all the way in very easy (enough torque even in bad conditions). If you're just using a down line --> only one anchor. If you're worrying about the line getting away from you while you're screwing the anchor in, and you can't take a buddy down with you to hold it, take an extra 4 lb weight, clip it to that and set it in the sand. Just keep an eye on it, but it should be fine!
That is pretty neat! Can you post a link to them?
I have not seen those used around where I am - we end up using "dog screws" if we can't tie off to submerged tree stumps or the like.
However, these things only work well if there is some "substance" to the bottom, otherwise you can't get any "purchase" and they just pull out. The auger looks like it would hold well.
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One more for the "What the heck is the line to the beach for?" club. You can secure a dive float with a dog screw, but to be effective it has to be about 10 to 12 inches long, Even then, depending upon the composition of the bottom, there is no guarantee. I offer the following from The Scuba Snobs' Guide to Diving Etiquette, BOOK 2, from Chapter 4:
Use a Dive Flag
If you are an accomplished enough diver to go off on your own with a buddy and dive, it is important for you to use a dive flag. You learned that in your first certification class. The flag is on a float of some kind, and is attached to a line on a reel that a member of the dive group holds, or sometimes ties off during the dive. Use of a dive flag can be an inconvenience, but it is important because it lets boaters know to stay away (hopefully they will), lets others know where you are, and allows people on the surface to get your attention if there is a need to do so. The dive flag should be mounted on a float that is easily visible from a passing boat and keeps the flag unfurled and above the water.
Only tie your dive flag off to things that arent living.
If you choose to tie off a dive flag, only tie it to dead things. Do not tie it off on a branch of living coral or to living plants. Find a rock, a dead coral head, or a post or mooring block, anything that is not living. This also means you do not tie your dive flag to another diver or to a fish or marine mammal. Doing so is not very effective anyway.
Bring your dive flag in when you are through diving at that site for the day.
If you tie off your dive flag so you can dive without the distraction of towing it around,
be sure to retrieve your flag and bring it in when you are finished at that site for the day. A dive flag left out in the water can be a hazard to navigation, to snorkelers, paddle boarders or other divers, and can give someone a false impression that there are missing or distressed divers in the water. You dont want to trigger a search for you and your buddy because your dive flag is out in the water and someone actually noticed it. It can be embarrassing to be sitting in a local bar as people are talking about the missing divers and you realize they are talking about you! Dennis knows how this feels from experience, but as that event was not dive flag related, Debbie is letting it pass.
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Used by permission of the author, me.
DivemasterDennis
Use a Dive Flag
If you are an accomplished enough diver to go off on your own with a buddy and dive, it is important for you to use a dive flag. You learned that in your first certification class. The flag is on a float of some kind, and is attached to a line on a reel that a member of the dive group holds, or sometimes ties off during the dive. Use of a dive flag can be an inconvenience, but it is important because it lets boaters know to stay away (hopefully they will), lets others know where you are, and allows people on the surface to get your attention if there is a need to do so. The dive flag should be mounted on a float that is easily visible from a passing boat and keeps the flag unfurled and above the water.
Only tie your dive flag off to things that arent living.
If you choose to tie off a dive flag, only tie it to dead things. Do not tie it off on a branch of living coral or to living plants. Find a rock, a dead coral head, or a post or mooring block, anything that is not living. This also means you do not tie your dive flag to another diver or to a fish or marine mammal. Doing so is not very effective anyway.
Bring your dive flag in when you are through diving at that site for the day.
If you tie off your dive flag so you can dive without the distraction of towing it around,
be sure to retrieve your flag and bring it in when you are finished at that site for the day. A dive flag left out in the water can be a hazard to navigation, to snorkelers, paddle boarders or other divers, and can give someone a false impression that there are missing or distressed divers in the water. You dont want to trigger a search for you and your buddy because your dive flag is out in the water and someone actually noticed it. It can be embarrassing to be sitting in a local bar as people are talking about the missing divers and you realize they are talking about you! Dennis knows how this feels from experience, but as that event was not dive flag related, Debbie is letting it pass.
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Used by permission of the author, me.
DivemasterDennis
I use that auger screw as well and they work great in sand. One thing we do is also add a loop to the line above the screw attachment and attach a heavy duty bungee to the loop, then to the screw (both with clips, not hooks), leaving some slack in the line but the bungee is taut. The bungee works like a shock absorber when the surface gets rough and keeps the line from constantly pulling on the screw.
We use these (36") View attachment 130258with a carabiner in place of the hooks.
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Ooooh I like that idea! I might be trying that on mine soon...
Hawkwood - Here's a couple of places where you can find them online! They really do work well as long as you get it pretty much all the way screwed in (only ~ 1-2 inches of the bottom metal piece left uncovered). Halfway doesn't cut it as i've found out a few times
https://www.oceanenterprises.com/scuba-gear/trident-deluxe-sand-anchor.html
Trident Super Sand Anchor - Sport Chalet
Super Sand Anchor
I would add to NOT tie off to ship wrecks. Most ship wrecks are fragile and should not be touched let alone have something tied to them. This is why you'll see a big block of concrete BESIDE ship wrecks around the St. Lawrence River. People are expected to tie off to the block of concrete and not the ship.
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