Downcurrents

[thevalkyry]

I have been certified since 2008 and am now a PADI instructor. During this time I have managed to avoid/not learn about/not be exposed to a new thing I am learning about in the past couple of days called a downcurrent. So while this question is inspired by a real life event, I am really just looking to educate myself.

What does everyone have to say about downcurrents? What are they? Why are they? Where are they? How do you avoid them? How do you survive them?

Please advise...thanx...

 

[Cave Diver]

Try these: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba.../48956-what-proper-procedure-downcurrent.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cozumel/327594-dealing-downcurrents.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ac...ali-know-your-dm-dive-operator-very-well.html

 

[gypsyjim]

Try these: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba.../48956-what-proper-procedure-downcurrent.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cozumel/327594-dealing-downcurrents.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ac...ali-know-your-dm-dive-operator-very-well.html

Thanks. Very interesting reading.

 

[Cave Diver]

Here are a few more, now that I've had time to do a proper search:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...65-san-juan-not-just-another-downwelling.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba.../48956-what-proper-procedure-downcurrent.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cozumel/327449-downwellings-north-dive-sites.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/292226-downward-currents.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/223686-my-scariest-dive-so-far.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/near-misses-lessons-learned/211115-deadly-down-current.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/110335-two-divers-pulled-down-64m.html


In addition, I've tagged several more using the Thread Tag Feature.

You can do a Tag Search here: Tags - ScubaBoard

Keywords are: down current, downwelling

That should cover the best of the threads on the subject. This was not done with the intent to limit this discussion, but to provide easy access to previous information.

 

[gypsyjim]

Thanks.

Dam. Every so often I discover a new way our sport can sneak up and kill or injure us, if we are not constantly on our guard, and always thinking.

These things sound pretty rare in most dive locations, but it sure looks like it would pay to think about the possibility before, and be aware of the potential in some sites with significant walls

 

[driftin' by]

Thanks for the information.... timely with recent news.

 

[Hatul]

I think I'd rather head to the wall than away from it. For one thing the current is bound do be slower near the wall due to friction, and you can grab on to the wall and climb up.

Adam

 

[redacted]

I think I'd rather head to the wall than away from it. For one thing the current is bound do be slower near the wall due to friction, and you can grab on to the wall and climb up.

Adam

I don't think you can count on being able to climb up. If you can find some protection or at least something solid to hold, then what? Watch the needle on your SPG drop and hope the current runs out of gas before you do? Like rip tides, currents are finite. Your call. You can wait for the current to find your limits or you can go looking for its limits.

 

[Cave Diver]

I think I'd rather head to the wall than away from it. For one thing the current is bound do be slower near the wall due to friction, and you can grab on to the wall and climb up.

Adam

Think of the current as a waterfall. Even near the wall there can be significant downward flow. I personally know 3 people who got caught in one such current in Cozumel and attempted to climb up. They were successful, but ended up with a lot of nasty scrapes, cuts, sea urchin spines and fire coral stings for their effort. The rest of the group ended up away from the wall and were able to surface without incident.

The problem with moving towards the wall is there is a limit to how close you can get to it. If you're unable to find a lee from the current, now you're pretty well pinned there and liable to get bounced all over it. Move far enough away and sooner or later you're going to find a point where it subsides enough to allow a free ascent.

 

[Hatul]

I don't think you can count on being able to climb up. If you can find some protection or at least something solid to hold, then what? Watch the needle on your SPG drop and hope the current runs out of gas before you do? Like rip tides, currents are finite. Your call. You can wait for the current to find your limits or you can go looking for its limits.

It's similar to the experience of cave divers swimming against a strong current, they pull themselves holding on to the bottom.

However Cave Diver's analogy makes sense, perhaps moving away is the better option.

Adam