When I DM, we teach for a diver to be able to swim up from 20 feet with NO air in their BCD. CESA!!
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If nothing else, I hope this accident reinforces instructors and AI's, DM's to teach and reteach weight ditch and other skills (SMB deployment, air management, Nav) And also take the time to really look at a divers ability and feel compelled/obligated to point out flaws or errors in a divers planning, practices and logic. Also for the Non Pro divers; Take time to PRACTICE!!! SMB's Nav, Buoyancy, OOA EP's etc etc.
~R~
Bob...
If nothing else, I hope this accident reinforces instructors and AI's, DM's to teach and reteach weight ditch and other skills (SMB deployment, air management, Nav) And also take the time to really look at a divers ability and feel compelled/obligated to point out flaws or errors in a divers planning, practices and logic. Also for the Non Pro divers; Take time to PRACTICE!!! SMB's Nav, Buoyancy, OOA EP's etc etc.
~R~
The "no air in your BC" part of your CESA drill is interesting to me. Can you quote/refer me to the standard?When I DM, we teach for a diver to be able to swim up from 20 feet with NO air in their BCD. CESA!!
The "no air in your BC" part of your CESA drill is interesting to me. Can you quote/refer me to the standard?
Bill
If they have to orally inflate the BCD then by default there cannot be any air in it.
Here is the standard.Hi Bill,
I will try to find the PADI standard for you. Basically, when we have our students are on their knees in a line on the bottom at 20 feet, they have no air in their BCD to keep them down and stable. The instructor then takes one of the students closer to our float. He then has them perform the CESA the same way we did in the pool. One of the main objectives of the skill is to orally inflate their BCD at the surface because they are supposed to be out of air. If they have to orally inflate the BCD then by default there cannot be any air in it.
Three and four give the impression that the skill should be conducted while neutrally buoyant. I'm having a hard time understanding why you would want to begin this skill negative. Sounds counter productive to me.Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent
Briefing the Skill
Instruct student divers to:
Retain their regulators in their mouths.
Not drop their weights. Remind students that in an actual emergency, they ditch weights only when any doubt exists about their ability to reach the surface.
Not use the control line for assistance the line is only for the instructor to use for control and emergency stopping.
Maintain a normal ascent rate.
Make a continuous sound throughout the ascent.
Resume normal breathing if you stop the ascent, or if they experience any difficulty.
Orally inflate the BCD or drop weights upon reaching the surface.
Setting Up the Exercise
Use a vertical control line buoyed by a surface float. Ensure that the line is either tied off firmly at the bottom or held down with sufficient weight to enable you to stop the ascent at any time by grasping it with a hand or leg wrap while holding the student firmly. Conduct the skill one student at a time while maintaining physical contact with both the student and the control line.
Site
Begin this skill at a depth of at least 6 metres/20 feet but not exceeding 9 metres/30 feet.
Conducting the Exercise
1. Grasp the student with one hand and maintain contact with the line.
2. Give the up signal to begin the ascent. The student begins to exhale while emitting a continuous sound.
3. The student kicks to start, then reduces effort and continues kicking. The student doesnt use the control line during the ascent. Ensure that the student keeps the regulator and weights in place. The students air remains turned on throughout the exercise. Dont help the student ascend.
4. The student maintains contact with the BCD or dry-suit deflator mechanism to vent excess air during ascent.
5. Observe and maintain control during the ascent, not exceeding 18 metres/60 feet per minute. The student should be held near and just below you, which allows
you to listen for the students sound and tends to make the student look up toward you. Watch to be sure the student exhales continuously. Stop the ascent if there
is any doubt. If you must interrupt the ascent, have the student repeat the exercise from the beginning.
6. Upon surfacing, have the student orally inflate the BCD or drop weights. Caution to look for divers below before releasing weight. Observe the student before engaging in
other training exercises.
Here is the standard.
Highlights are mine.
Three and four give the impression that the skill should be conducted while neutrally buoyant. I'm having a hard time understanding why you would want to begin this skill negative. Sounds counter productive to me.
If a diver needs to do a CESA in real life shouldn't they be neutral or close to it?