Special Training to do Swim Throughs?

[BDSC]

Some folks hold the belief that OW divers should not be in any overhead without additional training.

That's the response I sometimes see on SB. But I wonder if people (and if I see this response it's usually from an instructor or DM) who respond that way truly believe it and actually think it's unsafe to do so or are they just giving what they consider the "politically correct" answer to not dive beyond your certification/training.

 

[DogDiver]

At coco view resort on Roatan, a comprehensive pre dive briefing is mandatory in the club house prior to anyone diving "Mary's Place". Dive masters are very watchful of inexperienced divers for buoyancy control. All open water divers are welcome.


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[victorzamora]

There is another thread going about overhead environments that made me want to ask the following question:

Do you believe that divers should have special training beyond say OW or even AOW before going into a "typical Caribbean swim-through"?

This is where my brain starts to hurt. What's the difference between a "typical caribbean swimthrough" and a "real" overhead environment? I don't really think there's anything wrong with enjoying a swimthrough now and again, but, like everything else, people start pushing limits REALLY hard. There are plenty of videos of people doing "swimthroughs" with multiple major restrictions, gear removal, zero surface light, hefty penetration, etc. They're CLEARLY OW-only (most of the time), and many profess to carrying only one light. They're definitely (normally) only carrying one tank....and it's CLEARLY a cave. Yet, they call it a swimthrough. If there was a strict, hard definition of a swimthrough (and there may be, but I'm not aware of one) then that's one thing....but that's not commonly accepted (as far as I'm aware) and that's where the danger begins. I was 10 yrs old when I did my first scuba dive. We did a shore dive off of Cozumel. We went through a swimthrough. Maybe 50ft long, but it was the size of a warehouse. 50ft long, 50ft wide, and at least 20ft deep.

Before my cave training, I had 200+ dives and had done a few swimthroughs. One was particularly long and tight, to the point that I started getting stuck. It was at least 150ft long. BUT, the sand was coarse and sunk easily and it was straight so you could see the exit. That was the only time I got nervous, and only for a second. After taking my cave course, I looked back on all of my swimthroughs and started questioning the definition.

I don't think specific training is necessary for a TRUE swimthrough, but a "swimthrough" needs cave training if it's a cave.

 

[BDSC]

I don't think specific training is necessary for a TRUE swimthrough, but a "swimthrough" needs cave training if it's a cave.

And I totally agree with you. If it's a cave, plain and simple don't go in. But even an easy wide open swimthrough is still an overhead environment where you have to make your way out before you can head up be it 10 ft. long or 100 ft. long. So far it seems the majority of folks don't see a need for anything more than OW or AOW training as far as the training aspect of it goes.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

No additional "training" is needed. I believe that most agencies already warn new divers about "overhead" environments in basic OW.

What may be needed is a large dose of common sense for the DM's who lead less experienced divers into long or restricted swim-throughs that could be beyond a new diver's ability to handle if something went badly wrong.

Best wishes.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

This is right up there with wondering whether OW divers should be allowed on a boat without first getting the Boat Diver cert.

 

[BDSC]

This is right up there with wondering whether OW divers should be allowed on a boat without first getting the Boat Diver cert.

I just cringe when I go to the local dive club meeting and the shop tells how many people they just certified as "boat divers".

 

[mala]

can you do a swim through without being a boat diver?

 

[Dr. Lecter]

can you do a swim through without being a boat diver?

Only if you get the Shore To Swim-through distinctive speciality first.


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[Jim Lapenta]

It depends on who is doing the training. And what their definition is of a "swim thru". Agency standards say NO overheads for OW divers. Taken literally that means no swim thrus as you do have something over your head. My definition has changed over the years due to wreck penetrations and most decidedly Ice class. I did a bunch of stuff in the keys on the Spiegel Grove and the Duane, some in the St Lawrence, as well as Lake Erie. Today my definition is if you can't pass two divers thru side by side in proper buddy position, it's more than a body length, and you need to touch the sides, top, or bottom then OW divers should not be in there. I have seen too many people in situations where they had no idea of the risk they were taking. All because someone who met them maybe the day before or that day was shown a card that says they know how to dive took them into a place with the potential to kill.

The absolute worse thing in my mind is a DM, guide, or instructor who has not dived with someone telling them "you'll be fine we do this all the time". That blind obedience to a pseudo authority figure has killed people in Mexico and Italy. The new diver who looks at one of these "pros" an authority on them is a dangerous person. The "pro" did not train them, doesn't know their real skill level or comfort threshold, and yet is going to be trusted so blindly. That to me is a deficiency in their training that they would look at the "pro" in such a way.

I tell my students to never trust anyone to keep them safe. And never accept without question anything that makes them the slightest bit uncomfortable or makes them question their training in any way. Even if it comes from me. When I train them I tell them no overheads. Then on checkouts I'll test them. I'll motion for them to join me under a platform or in a large opening in one of the quarries where there are boats, airplanes, semi trailers, and a silo. If they do it, they fail. I have yet to have one do it as I do my best to impress upon them that no overheads means no overheads. For an instructor to tell students no overheads and then lead them through a place where they can only pass single file and if someone gets in a bit of trouble the rest are stuck waiting til that person is taken care before they can make a direct ascent is reckless, irresponsible, and dangerous.

That is my view and the way I teach. I see no reason to do otherwise.