RichLockyer:Yes, but not "just because I don't like them".
Rich,
When did you go Solo?
I did not know DIR divers would go solo.
Nice of you to join the solo community.
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RichLockyer:Yes, but not "just because I don't like them".
Mass-diver,first of all ,I do know quite abit about currents,( I've probably done over 2000 dives in stiff currents,many too strong to swim against),I've researched currents,I've been towed behind research and other vessels underwater in scuba gear scouting and mapping reefs at various speeds (simulating current),and when sailing,(as most good sailors can) ,I can generally tell how fast we are going within .2-.3 knots(speed on gps).The dive incident I referred to was done on a seamount, (known for its strong currents),in the Bligh waters in the channel between Vauna Levu and Viti Levu(which is known for strong currents) at a the time when the peak tidal current was reinforcing the surface current (which was also reinforced on that day by surface winds of approx.25 mph. from the same direction) as well as the deep water upwelling current(from the same direction) which created the complex confluence of forces that made up the current we were diving in.Current speeds varied at different spots on the seamount at different times on the dive.We did the dive in the lee of the seamount(little or no current).Only on returning to the bottom of the anchor line did we again hit the stiffest part of the current at the top of the seamount.I have to admit,there was no knot meter on my diveconsole,but the difficulty it took to pull our selves along the top of the seamount against the current,the speed at which we were swept backwards,spinning, and upwards-combined with past experience, helped me estimate the current's speed. But most of all-my good friend Dan Grenier- experienced US Marine diver with Seal training,technical diving training ,and a pioneer in exploring pristine(high current) Fijian sites and long time instructor and dive guide (who drifted after us when he saw we were in trouble)and has dove this site more than anyone else has-estimated the current to be at least 7-8 knots where we were swept off the top of the sea mount.Its possible 9 knots was too high an estimate. Mass Diver, I shared my our bad experience so others may learn from it.Unfortunately,Dan disappeared in a roaring current very close to this site, on August 31 2004 and still hasnt been found.These currents can be nasty-I hope we all stay safe by getting smarter........Peace........SaildiverMASS-Diver:Dude, no offense, I'm sure you're story is true and all - but take my advice and edit out this junk about 8 or 9 knots - trust me, you are embarrasing yourself. You are off by whole magnitudes. This is the equivalent as if I were to tell you I was driving my car 1,000mph.
CRDiver:Interesting how painting yourself into a corner by adhering to an isolationist diving philosophy ("I don't/can't dive with strokes") leads some DIR guys to violate the very principles they pretend to be faithful to.
I was involved in this thread before it was moved to the opt-in forum.Viscya:Rich,
When did you go Solo?
I did not know DIR divers would go solo.
Nice of you to join the solo community.
RichLockyer:I was involved in this thread before it was moved to the opt-in forum.