How close is too close?

[chrpai]

I frequently dive in low light, low vis conditions where I stay close to my buddy to avoid seperation. But I've noticed something. We tend to bump into each other a lot lately.

I try to maintain a position directly along side my buddy and at the same depth. We both frog kick and sometimes our fins will hit each other and sometimes we'll make shin an calf contact.

I apologized to a recent dive buddy but was told to not worry about it; it happens. I suspect he was just being polite.

What can I do better? I can't tell if it's me just being too close or if maybe my buddy cuts inside and I just happen to be in the way.

 

[decompression]

That is very challenging, try to stagger just a bit and use light signals, most important though is a thorough dive plan, eliminate the stress and enjoy the dive ( my local conditions are similar, 0-5' vis, almost no light, 46 deg water).

 

[fisheater]

In really low viz, I actually LIKE to bump into my dive buddy from time to time. Worry not, especially if your dive buddy isn't concerned about it.

 

[j2s]

In low light/viz there's really no way around it...You have to stay close, in order not to get separated and you'll bump into each other......Minor nuisance and better than getting separated....I've tried rope but all you do is tug at each other and get entangled on stuff....Try to find a 'buddy' you like, bumping can be fun ;P !!!!!

 

[TSandM]

Switch to modified flutter? If the viz is that low, you have to stay that close, so all you can do is try to make that situation as comfortable as possible.

 

[Hawkwood]

I had a dive this morning with a former student. He wanted to get a bit more familiar with the 1912 Dam here in Minnewanka before he takes a friend out. The conditions this year have been abysmal at best due to the historic high snowpack as well as the heavy and sustained rainy period we've had. The heavy run-off has brought lots of silt into the lakes.

Visibility was pretty bad, but still five feet or so. He stuck like glue. He was right beside me the whole time, never more than a couple of feet. We were close enough that when maneuvering we'd sometimes clap fins or bump shoulders. It was all good.

A nice, slow, low stress dive.

 

[jonnythan]

Stay as close as you need to in order to maintain contact. Who cares if you bump?

 

[CamG]

Greetings Chrpai I think bumping is good!
In low vis no vis I want to let my buddy know I am right there.
Often with several of my close buddies we roll in single file which if done cave style you can actually maintain touch contact in no vis.
The key is communication out of water.

In low vis if you want to be diving with me you will be comfortable with me bumping or touch contact.
I would not worry about what others think if they do not wish to dive with you move on.
Buddy awareness is high on my priority list.
Safe diving and it is a good problem to have to be close!

CamG Keep Diving....Keep Training....Keep Learning!

 

[chrpai]

Thanks for the feedback all. It makes sense what everyone has said. I just wanted to check if there was something I could improve to maintain the buddy contact without feeling like I was invading my buddies space.

 

[spectrum]

Don't give a second though to incidental contact, it happens. A kick in the shin tells you where your buddy is without looking. In poor visibility my wife has been known to rest a hand on my cylinder and swim in sync.

Pete

---------- Post Merged at 10:37 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 10:36 PM ----------

Thanks for the feedback all. It makes sense what everyone has said. I just wanted to check if there was something I could improve to maintain the buddy contact without feeling like I was invading my buddies space.

Obviously in prime conditions maintaining a spread is a goal. Other wise an occasional bump beats playing Where's Waldo all the time.