Which hand do use to hold the spool/reel when inflating the DSMB

[Edward3c]

don't care that BSAC teaches, it doesn't mean it's a good idea. Same with secondary take. Advocating drysuit for buoyancy has potentially dangerous consequences if the dump doesn't deflate fast enough, they end up feet up and can't recover, etc. Is the risk high? No, but it's higher than not. In single aluminum cylinders, you don't even need a bcd, you can handle it with your lungs. Fine, but teaching drysuit for means of buoyancy is not preparing them for the future where they will have to compensate for much more than the suit can handle safely.

@Storker the problem with talking about nuance is those who will misunderstand it. The drysuit is NOT for buoyancy compensation, yes it provides buoyancy, but should not be used as primary compensation of buoyancy. Emergency circumstances not withstanding.

I think we just agree there are many ways to dive and neither yours nor mine is the correct way for everyone.

 

[The Chairman]

don't care that BSAC teaches, it doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Dive and let dive.

I've done it both ways and have had no issues. It's a big deal for some, but most of us just snicker at the brouhaha.

 

[Ayisha]

...Even with a big set of lungs, trying to get a mouth seal on the inflater after an hour at 8°c is a joke...

FWIW, with numb lips in very cold water, try using the corner of your mouth to inflate. Instead of losing air through the middle of pursed lips that won't seal on the inflator, your breath will go right into the inflator. It works really well in our frigid waters.

 

[Graeme Fraser]

FWIW, with numb lips in very cold water, try using the corner of your mouth to inflate. Instead of losing air through the middle of pursed lips that won't seal on the inflator, your breath will go right into the inflator. It works really well in our frigid waters.

That sounds like a good idea! I'll give it a go this weekend and let you know how I get on.

Thanks for the tip. G

 

[Graeme Fraser]

I think we just agree there are many ways to dive and neither yours nor mine is the correct way for everyone.

Fair point well made. Truth is it's not black and white, there are many shades of grey in between. If I'm rec diving single, I'll usually just use my drysuit. For tec, primarily my wing, unless it's cold and I want a little more air insolation. Again, a sliding scale.

When teaching OW in drysuit we get students to use their drysuit so they only have one type of buoyancy to adjust, especially in the early stages when task loading is high. However we also explain and demonstrate both methods so that they have an understanding going forward. They also get to try BCD only during the oral BCD inflation and hover skill.

With regards to orientation, we've already had them in the pool beforehand learning how to recognise and manage the bubble and minor and severe inversion.

 

[EireDiver606]

Use your left hand so your right hand is free for an oog scenario.

 

[The Chairman]

Use your left hand so your right hand is free for an oog scenario.

About this; before you do anything underwater, check your gas, your buddy's gas and establish neutral buoyancy. Running out of air at any time during the dive is unacceptable but running out while you're trying to shoot a bag, grab a lobster, tie off reel, drop a cookie and so on, is simply ridiculous. Don't be so focused on a task that you fail in the basics.

 

[EireDiver606]

About this; before you do anything underwater, check your gas, your buddy's gas and establish neutral buoyancy. Running out of air at any time during the dive is unacceptable but running out while you're trying to shoot a bag, grab a lobster, tie off reel, drop a cookie and so on, is simply ridiculous. Don't be so focused on a task that you fail in the basics.

True.

**** still happens though when it shouldn’t.

 

[Ayisha]

True.

**** still happens though when it shouldn’t.

I was thinking that you meant for drills. Those pesky instructors always had us share air right after deploying an SMB while ascending and maintaining all stops.

 

[EireDiver606]

I was thinking that you meant for drills. Those pesky instructors always had us share air right after deploying an SMB while ascending and maintaining all stops.

Exactly. Train for when it shouldn’t happen. Train hard, fight easy.