Some things to think about.

[Gary D.]

Everyone is always talking about safe diving, how to improve diving safety, what you can and can’t do or should and shouldn’t do related to diving.

But has anyone ever thought about safety getting to the dive site?

First off, how many of you drive SUV’s? I’ll bet it’s the majority of Scuba Board.

Now for some very important questions you need to ask yourself.
1. Do you know HOW to drive that vehicle when it’s empty and loaded with added people and a plethora of diving goodies?
a. Do you know how to make safe evasive maneuvers to avoid another vehicle or obstacle?
b. Do you know how many of those evasive maneuvers you can safely make?
c. Do you know how many of those evasive maneuvers you can make safely in succession?
d. Do you know how to safely bring an SUV, or any vehicle for that matter, to a safe stop should any one or more of the tires blow out or rapidly go flat?


2. Do you know how to properly load a vehicle with people and gear?
3. DO you pull a trailer? If so do you know how to do all of the above while towing it?
a. Do you know hoe to properly hook up safety chains?

I could go on and on but let’s deal with these first.

Gary D.

 

[REII]

Good post Gary. I for one do drive an SUV. I have been driving one for 12 years now. I use styrofoam tank holders so that the tanks do not roll around and pack gear very carefully.

The dive shop I frequent is near my office, so I take my tanks to work, drop them off for fills and then take them home. i have to be very aware of the fact that I am driving with tanks in the back in traffic.

TOM

 

[Guba]

Yup, I drive a pickup to most of my dives. I've constructed a bed-cover with wing doors for stowing equipment. I've constructed tank carriers in the front and back complete with tie downs.
Driving a pickup poses stability challenges, just like SUV's. Yup, stability is one of those, as is speed, visibility, and emergency procedures. Keeping driving skills is indeed just as important as maintaining diving skills.
Good post, indeed.

 

[agilis]

Yo, Gary, I'm a minimalist. I drive an old MG. The tank sits beside me strapped into the passenger seat. I attach a hat shop styrofoam head over the valve for aesthetic appeal, put my equipment bag on the floor, BC and weights behind the seat, and off I go.

 

[Gary D.]

Yo, Gary, I'm a minimalist. I drive an old MG. The tank sits beside me strapped into the passenger seat. I attach a hat shop styrofoam head over the valve for aesthetic appeal, put my equipment bag on the floor, BC and weights behind the seat, and off I go.

Works for the car pool lanes.

Do you hang a snow plow on it for the winter?

I had a Tiger and a TR-6 with a 327 in it while I was in the Navy. I bought them new so that will give you an idea as to how long ago that was.

Gary D.

 

[Pathfinder]

I throw the tank(s) behind the seats, gear on the passenger seat and in what passes for a trunk and I'm good to go.

not too many safety features on my car .

Dave

 

[Rishidian]

I thought this was a Dive site, not a Drive site.

I drive an F150, and I bungee down evertyhing in the back, except my weight bag, which is used to keep things from sliding around.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I drive a Honda Element ... a vehicle that was essentially designed for hauling scuba divers and equipment. It has tie-downs built right into the floor and interior walls ... I could probably roll the thing without moving my gear around too much. Handles more like a sedan than an SUV ... and gets great gas mileage ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Wildcard]

Rember that if you hit something, everything behind you that is not tied down will become a large projectile. Tanks and weights are esp bad. Ropes or ratchet straps, bungies won't hone em.

 

[SparticleBrane]

I drive a '97 Toyota Camry. mmmmm....32+ mpg...
Al80 fit perfectly laying down behind the front seats, and there's no possible way they could turn into a projectile due to how they're situated. Other stuff goes in the trunk or on the back seat. It's actually a pretty good dive vehicle.