Would a torch help?

[ling]

Would bringing a torch down on a day dive with bad viz help?

 

[jbd]

Would bringing a torch down on a day dive with bad viz help?

In my experience , it doesn't help. Too much scatter. Not enough light to over power the sun if you are shallow.

 

[pilot fish]

Would bringing a torch down on a day dive with bad viz help?

For the benefit of American divers -Torch = flashlight, UW light. I think it will help, even in good vis, if you want to see detail on a reef or wall. It wouldn't hurt

 

[jbd]

Would bringing a torch down on a day dive with bad viz help?

Much would depend also on what you define as bad viz---even though I enjoyed diving it, bad viz to me is under 5 feet. If you have better than that and have something you want to see the colors of then a torch will help bring out the true colors of the object.

 

[Don Burke]

Would bringing a torch down on a day dive with bad viz help?

Mucked up water presents two problems, less light from the sun and less (and diffused) light reflected from the object being looked at. A dive light can help with the first and might help with the second.

If the light is too bright, the backscatter could be a bigger problem than the original visability presented.

 

[ling]

well diving inj Singapore waters,a very good day would be 5m viz on a bad day you can't even see yr hand in front of you.

 

[The Kraken]

If the low visibility is caused by particulate matter in the water, then the results with a torch may be similar to having your high beams on in the fog, just makes things worse. Just helps ya see things less, but brighter . . .

 

[MASS-Diver]

It can help your buddy see you.

 

[Jetwrench]

It can help your buddy see you.

Good point! Lights have helped me and my buddy especially when vis changes during the dive. I always have one handy just in case. Even on day dives, you just never know when you'll need it.

Jet

 

[String]

Would bringing a torch down on a day dive with bad viz help?

Depends on conditions. Some dives can be near totally dark but have good vis with a torch. Other dives arent.

If theres a lot of sediment/plankton etc in the water a torch is unlikely to help, it just reflects off all the particles and akin to using car headlights in thick fog.

I always take a torch as its impossible to know what conditions will be like under you get there, it maybe a layer, it maybe all over, it maybe light, it maybe dark, it maybe both.