Tips for a Great Drift Dive ~

[mm777]

I'd sure appreciate some tips on getting the max out of a drift dive ~ from beginning to end. Thx!

 

[molksmith]

Hey There Frogperson,
The Only Thing I would add other than just enjoy flying would be to make sure you have a Safety Sausage with a small weight (fishing sinker works well) attached to the line, A signaling device ala Safety Mirror, and a Noise Alert. Those are really mandatory for anything in the Ocean that involves a boat, especially when you are dealing with currents. If you have to pick just one thing, take the safety sausage. That's the best investment I made besides the basic stuff. It only cost you about 20 Bucks and as you find out it is worth your and it's weight in gold.
Have a great time. It really is like flying.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I'd sure appreciate some tips on getting the max out of a drift dive ~ from beginning to end. Thx!

Welcome to the Board. I checked your profile but you didn't complete it. Where are you planning on doing this drift dive? What kind of current are you expecting? Have you ever done a drift dive before? How much experience do you have diving? Is this a group DM lead dive or just you and a buddy? Is this off a boat that will be following or from shore with a trail vehicle? A few questions here, but there are a lot of factors to consider when drift diving. Make sure you do your first few drift dives with someone who's experienced in it. Some currents are slow enough you can just enjoy the ride. Others are fast enough you have to be familiar enough with the site and know when to turn, ascend, descend with precise timing.

 

[jbd]

I'd sure appreciate some tips on getting the max out of a drift dive ~ from beginning to end. Thx!

Be properly weighted--both you and your buddy. Get in the water together. Once squared away descend. Get to depth and set your buoyancy to be neutral. As noted by Dive-aholic you may need to be able to ascend or descend slightly throughout the dive. Possessing excellent buoyancy control skills makes diving so much more enjoyable.

Molksmith had some good recommendations for safety equipment to have along with you.

 

[mania]

When you already have all safety staff that's needed for the drift dive then simply let the drift taking you. It's lovely lazy dive, you don't have to fin - of course if you have neutral buoyancy. I love drift dives....
Mania
PS. But if we are talking about a strong currents not going along the wall or reef - then my advice is - don't dive. Such currents can be very dangerous.

 

[emtdan]

~~~~~ Go with the flow~~~~~~~

thats all I have 2 say.

 

[Hank49]

The biggest probem I've seen in strong currents is buddy separation. One may get close to the bottom and slow down immensley relative to the current 8 feet off the bottom. And before you know it you can't see you buddy at all. Lay close to the bottom and watch your bubbles. They go up pretty straight until about 6-8 feet and then go off horizontal. Plan to surface within 30 seconds of losing sight of each other.

 

[Michael Freeman]

Practice Buoyancy control in the pool before your trip.

If you can find a true neutral buoyancy you can spend your time enjoying the dive instead of fidgetting with your BC. Plus the DMs will see that you have mastered that skill and may take you to an even better spot for your next dive.

My drift diving experience comes from Cozumel where the current isn't usually that fast and with decent underwater skills, it is pretty easy diving. No experience with other drift dives.

 

[cowdog77]

I appreciate the safety equipment info (weighted sausage --- good tip). I figured I'd need good buoyancy and the post from Hank on watching buddy/bubbles was especially helpful. Have worked on free ascents since the beginning, so figure that will be coming in handy.

Thanks ~

Welcome to the Board. I checked your profile but you didn't complete it. Where are you planning on doing this drift dive? What kind of current are you expecting? Have you ever done a drift dive before? How much experience do you have diving?

I've done 40+ boat dives on Blackbeard trips including a couple of drift dives; and some local diving. Headed to Cozumel this spring.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I haven't been to Cozumel...yet. But from what I hear the drift diving isn't too strenuous. You should be fine. Have fun! I'm envious.