Quote:
"How can a BCD fail, let me count the ways.
Sticking inflator, not working inflator, sticking deflator, not working deflator, stuck open dump valve, tank band or cam coming loose, buckles releasing, gear tangled in BCD, ruptured BCD.
These are what I can think of now but these don't scare me because I can plan for them. What does scare me is the 20 things that I can't think of and therefore 20 things that I can't plan for and wont expect."
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A BC can fail but it is also a non issue. I have dived for many years without a BC--whenever possible. A BC is not a life jacket. It is intended to compensate for changes in bouyancy due to depth, suit crush etc. You should not be--except in some few circumstances--so over weighted that you cannot swim up with a failed BC. One of many aspects of solo diving is learning to weight oneself so that you have the miniumum amount of weight possible. A solo diver in the past (and present) would have a surface float if shore/beach diving for surface support if fatigued (swim board, tube, kayak, etc). A safety sausage is small and compact and can be carried easily and is highly useful.
This past summer I went to a large quarry and followed the shore line on one dive to the other side. I surfaced and decided rather than walking through brush and all that I would just hook it back across the lake. About half way across it occured to me that I, Nemrod, was a bit fatigued. I dive with no BC most of the time and of course I was this time. Well, my options, I could pop my mask on my forehead and start screaming and yelling and splashing in hopes people on shore would save me--NOPE--not going with that option. Option B, I could inflate my safety sausage and use it as a water wing to allow me to rest--nope---that would alert people on shore that I, Nemrod, was tired so that left options C and D. Option C was just to drown and die with my boots (fins ) on or option D, suck it up and GO. I chose option D.
Point is that when your truly solo there may be nobody to rescue you, not even people on shore, most of whom cannot resue you anyways. That is why one can go on about training, expereince, certification cards, mentors, books, equipment and all that BUT in the end the main ingrediant for a solo diver is self reliance. You are on your on, sink or swim, so you better get swimming.
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