Surface technique with Wing BC

[maj75]

I would like some suggestions regarding surface techniques with a BC with a winged bladder.

We only do boat diving here in the Keys and you find yourself on a float line waiting to board. With the BCW fully inflated, it seems impossible to keep your head out of the water. This does not present a problem on the line, with regulator in, and mask on. You just pretend you are a snorkler and stare at the bottom while waiting.

However, I am concerned about an unconscious diver, without mask/regulator. If the unconscious diver is me at the surface, is there anything I should do in anticipation to avoid drowning?

If I am assisting another diver with a BCW, who is unconcious, what techniques will work to keep the diver's face out of the water? Ditch victim's weights and BC?

How can I stay vertical so I can offer assistance? I am fairly bouyant, so I could ditch my BC if necessary.

My rescue training was with "victims" who had traditional BCs that supported the diver in an upright position in the water.

 

[jbd]

Don't fully inflate the wing.

 

[BarryNL]

The best technique seems to be to lie back so that the wing is under you rather than try and stay vertical. If you have stage bottles it helps to hold these over your body holding them in place with your legs.

If you are planning on being unconscious you might want to put your bungeed regulator in and put the bungee round the back of your head to hold it in place.

 

[--tom--]

it seems impossible to keep your head out of the water

Huh? lean back & follow the excellent suggestion of jbd.
Make sure your crotch strap is properly adjusted.

 

[d@n]

What size wing do you have and what size tank(s)?
With an AL80 and a 30 lb wing I have no problem staying vertical with a full wing when properly weighted. Having said that, when I am properly weighted I don't need much air at all in the wing to keep my head above the surf while hanging on the line, I don't ever need to completely fill the wing.

A BC is not a life preserver - I don't know of any that are rated to keep an unconsious person's head out of the water. There may be some, I just haven't heard of them.

Try it without filling the wing completely. Just put enough air to float and relax, maybe arch your back a bit. See how it goes. Good Luck!!

 

[Padipro]

Do as the others have said and I find it helps to slowly tread water in a bicycle type kick with your fins. This helps to lift the weight of your lower body and keep me from flopping face down in the water. Experience also helps. The more you dive with a back inflate BC or Wing the easier it is to use it.

 

[redacted]

I've never tried it, but if you are wearing a weight belt, you might try rotating (sliding) the weight to your back to balance the rig a little better.

 

[uncreative username]

I've got a Zeagle BC with a rear-inflation system and integrated weights. One thing that I have found to help a lot is to put my heavier weights in the back, and lighter weights in the front. This helps to compensate pretty effectively.

 

[runamonk]

I lay on my back alot and I don't need to fully inflate my BC to stay afloat.

 

[rongoodman]

I just lay back and relax. Practicing "unconscious diver" tows with the victim in a BP/W was no problem either.