Taking BCD off and putting back on again

[Gary D.]

But in the water, it takes no strength at all. In effect, you are not 'lifting over', you are 'diving under'.

We just did this last week. We did it sitting on the bottom and tossed the tank over the top. Almost identical to what we do on land except a lot less weight. So why would you call it diving under?

If you lay the tank on the bottom and flip your body into it you might call it diving under it. But that isn't a good approach.

Also, this is a skill that should be practiced with a blacked out mask.

Gary D.

 

[TheRedHead]

I'm curious if anyone has every found a real need for this ditch and don skill. I can see for the cavers maybe. Has anyone gotten tied up in fishing line and found this helpful?

I've done lots of ditches and many dons, but never had a reason to ditch and don. Some dive boats require entry without your kit, which is pulled up after you. I use to practice at a quarry with a rough dock where the entry was in 4 feet of water. Too shallow for a giant stride and too splintery (och!) for a controlled seated. Jumping in and putting on your gear on the surface is the easiest.

I was shore diving a spot with a treacherous entry that featured a 2 foot drop off with a pitted bottom where it was easy to stick your foot in a hole and turn your ankle. Buddy and I carried our gear to the drop off, shoved into the water, followed and snorkled it out to a sandy deeper spot. We had to avoid a bunch of clumps of blade fire coral on the way out. That was one occasion where I used my pocket snorkel.

Unfamilarity with your equipment is a big problem for newbies. And they often forget on the surface to put their reg in their mouths and look down into the water to see the buckles. :05:

 

[m7scuba]

If you lay the tank on the bottom and flip your body into it you might call it diving under it. But that isn't a good approach.

This is what I had to do in the pool. I couldn't get myself in a position to flip the tank. I was just too buoyant with the wetsuit on.

 

[dherbman]

So why would you call it diving under?

Gary D.

Because it's a better description of how I do it on the surface or in the column. Can't say I've ever tried it sitting on the bottom, but can see where you would lift if you were.