Shooting bags ... and other ways to look like a fool

[Uncle Pug]

I don't know if there is video of me shooting my first bag but there is (at least there was at one time) video of me doing my first valve drill with doubles... while standing on my head.

If we are here we have all be there.

 

[dsteding]

If we are here we have all been there.

I like that.

 

[spectrum]

Shooting a buoy is like a roller coaster ride. There is that spot at the top of the hill where there is no turning back.

 

[lamont]

buddy of mine got the line wrapped around his finger one time. that one is a little bit scarier since you can't just let go...

 

[jeckyll]

Bjorn,

The way we do it we use the double ender to wind up the line. Clip one of the ends to the line, and use it as a handle to wind the line. As a team, the person on the bag manages the bag, the other manages stops and the ascent. This really only works well when the non-bag shooter stays in front of the person handling the bag. That way the team is able to keep easy track of each other.

One trick, if your back-kick isn't perfect, is to use your fists to maintain separation. I'm still, uh, back-kick challenged, and when I do ascents with people and need a bit of separation, I just put my fists out. The other team member will extend theirs, and we'll gently push off as needed.

You could let the bag hang, but then you do run the risk of getting blown off the line or separated from the bag . . .

If you are diving with a can light, having a loop on the cord and an extra double ender to clip off the light on your d-ring hanging down (out of the team's faces) is pretty handy. That way, you can keep your light on, and relatively accessible if needed to signal.

I'm trying to visualize the first paragraph about winding up the line and having a hard time with it.

After shooting the bag, I clip off the double ender (clip side out) to catch the line. Do you leave it clipped like that and then wind the remaining line? This would ensure that if you lose your grip the spool will still be there with the double ender ... just a ways below you.

No can light yet, I'm still using my trusty C8

And I'm back kick challenged. I'm signed up for fundies in March, but in the meantime I'm trying to point my fintips down ... sometimes I go backwards

Thanks for the tips, always appreciated. And if you ever find yourself wanting to dive north of the border just PM me

Bjorn

 

[SparticleBrane]

First (and only) time I've tried to do a doubles valve drill, my wetsuit was ...quite restrictive. I'm hoping to get a drysuit within the next month or two. It didn't help that I was literally doing loop-de-loops (no no, not just standing on my head...360º somersaults !) at the same time. :shakehead

 

[jeckyll]

SparticleBrane: Make sure your test your drysuit with underwear. Once I'm layered up I have a hard time reaching my valve (single tank). I can do it but it's nasty

 

[dsteding]

After shooting the bag, I clip off the double ender (clip side out) to catch the line. Do you leave it clipped like that and then wind the remaining line? This would ensure that if you lose your grip the spool will still be there with the double ender ... just a ways below you.

Only clipped to the line, not the spool. Grab it and then wind up the line. Someone might have a link to a video spot on this, kinda hard to explain on the internets. If it is clipped to your line, and the end of your line is tied to the spool, if you drop it and it unravels all the way, you'll get the whole thing back. Eventually. But, delrin spools seem to keep their place in the water when you let go of them anyways, so even if you let go of the thing it shouldn't go far.

Thanks for the tips, always appreciated. And if you ever find yourself wanting to dive north of the border just PM me

Likewise if you are ever down in Seattle, I'm always up for a dive.

-Doug

 

[jeckyll]

Thanks Doug, I think I got it.

I'll play with it for a bit in the shallows next time to see if I can find a nice way to roll it up.

I might just take you up on the diving in Seattle thing

Have a good one.

Bjorn

 

[PaulChristenson]

I don't know if there is video of me shooting my first bag but there is (at least there was at one time) video of me doing my first valve drill with doubles... while standing on my head.

If we are here we have all be there.

http://www.divetekadventures.com/Videos/VideoShotBag.htm