Pool depth?
- Thread starter YCW
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SeanQ
Contributor
My first pool dive was in a 4' deep pool. We did basic skills kneeling on the bottom. We were actually able to swim a short distance at that depth. The next pool dive was at a 15' deep pool though.
otter-cat
Guest
I don't know about other agencies, but I know that for PADI, the very first confined water (pool) session takes place in shallow water, so students can just stand up if they have a problem. After that, however, for confined water sessions 2, 3, 4 & 5, there are skills and exercises which MUST be done in "water too deep to stand." A pool that is only 4 feet deep all over is not appropriate. The ideal is a pool with both shallow and deep areas.
triton94949
Guest
YCW:
The instructor standards would specify a minimum pool depth, yes. Each agency, YMCA NAUI SSI PADI ANDI TDI-SDI etc, would be slightly different.
If all you have locally is a 4 ft pool, then it would be possible to rope-off a shallow section of a lake, and that could be used as "confined water." There are many ways around many potential problems. It will discuss the "work-arounds" somewhere in the instructor standards.
This summer during my DM training we had absolutly no access to a pool. So we worked with students in what we called a "COW Pen" Confinined Open Water. Basically it was a ropped area off a beach into the ocean on the island of St. Barths.
bug:
"Confined Water" has replaced "pool" in scuba training today. Basically, this means any body of water that has "pool like conditions" with respect to ease of exit/entry, calmness, visibility, and of course shallow & deep areas.
It works.
MoonWrasse
Contributor
It's difficult to practice ear equalization techniques in only 4 feet of water. I'd suggest finding an outfit with access to a deeper pool than a lap pool.
MoonWrasse:
How would you really be able to do bouyancy exercises or OOA ascent? Or 5 point descent? I'd love to see the typical OW novice trying to hover in 4' of water. Most struggle with 12'.
I don't see any way that a 4' deep pool prepares you properly for the certification dives. :11:
I heard another clause was that it was supposed to be lacking in current and such.SubMariner:
I have heard of a group around WPB that puts out some kind of trampoline floating behind their boat and does the confined stuff out in the OW over a 60ft deep reef that they are drifting along, the trampoline keeps the students pretty shallow though. I cant say i can completely picture it and not sure how they keep balanced on it, but i am sure if you dont have a pool or beach or lakes nearby for such training you have to improvise somehow. I am sure that they put in safeguards to make it safe, i have dove with the boat (they werent training those days) a few times and know they are safe folks.
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