Safety stop in coz

[mikat]

Okay
im heading down with my family this friday. Our first time.
Most of my diving experience has been wreck diving in the northeast. I am so used to doin my " hang" attached to the anchor line.

What is the procedure? does the DM"S have an anchor ball tethered to them? or can you use your lift bag?

Thanks far any help

[dmoore19]

The dives I have done in Cozumel did not have a line to ascend on. I didn't see anybody using a lift bag. I have limited diving experience there but the SS is done without the aid of any kind of line. You always ascend in pairs and watch each others depth. This how I did my first OW dives after certification. I am not used to having a line to ascend on. The water is warm and clear, 100+fsw vis. It is usually after you have worked your way up to a shallow reef and you can look around at the fishes and corals while hanging and doing your SS. It is pretty easy, just watch the depth of you and your buddy.

Edit: It is also necessary to be aware of boat traffic. Sorry I forgot that in my original post.

[judydivescoz]

You just need to do your safety stop at 15 feet without hanging onto anything. Just watch your computer!

[Dhboner]

Just keep an eye on your depth and enjoy the view...I've had great luck seeing animal life while doing a safety stop!

[scubafanatic]

The DM's will use a lift bag, and you can use the DM as a visual reference point and stay level with them. You will need to get used to the idea of maintaining a chosen depth without hanging onto anything, and also while you are drifting sideways, sometimes at pretty impressive speeds. It's OK for you to use your own lift bag, but it's very rare I ever see anyone besides the DM doing so......there's really no reason you can't maintain your chosen depth at the safety stop, as it's no different than maintaining your depth at any other point in the dive, by monitoring your depth guage. Remember to look up, watch (and LISTEN) for approaching boats, stay near the DM while surfacing, the boat is using the DM"s lift bag to mark out a safety zone around which the boat knows all the divers will be surfacing.

DO bring a lift bag/SMB for signaling the boat if you get separated from your boat, and try to remember the name of your boat (write it on a dive slate if needed) so if you end up getting spotted/picked up by another boat and not your boat, they can radio your boat your position or recover you now and join you up with your boat later. (I've never had to be picked up by the 'wrong' boat, but have had the 'wrong' boat stop by me at the surface, ask me my boat's name, and radio my boat my position so they could recover me......sometimes groups can get pretty scattered and you boat may be running around all over the place recovering everyone, and you will have to wait your turn to get picked up....again, it doesn't happen very often, but it can happen!)

[MMM]

I carry a safety sausage with 50 feet of line on a finger spool. However, the only time it gets used is if the DM hands his own off to other divers who are making an early ascent. Looking at your diving experience, I expect you'll be surfacing with the DM so won't need one...unless you are diving with other family members who MAY need to ascend before the entire group. Then you will want one to help protect you from boat traffic.

[warmwaterturner]

I just slowly work my way up to 15' - lay there - watch my computer and look at the fishies.:D

[BTravlin]

Our regular DM sends experienced divers up in pairs as their gas runs low. He shoots his SMB to the surface for those heading up to the boat.

[mikat]

Thanks for all the info....

[spyder]

As others have said, it's a free hang at 15' with the DM having a sausage. I do blow my own lift bag just out of habit. Just tell the DM what you're going to do before you go down so they know your plan.

[la_diver]

Stay close to the sausage when surfacing so that you don't get run over by a boat. There are many boats in Coz. Almost happened this past week. Diver surfacing 100 or so feet from sausage prop almost hit her while she was was just below surface.

[MMM]

Stay close to the sausage when surfacing so that you don't get run over by a boat. There are many boats in Coz. Almost happened this past week. Diver surfacing 100 or so feet from sausage prop almost hit her while she was was just below surface.

Yikes. There's a DM at Blue Angel who says (in his Cuban accent) "Be careful surfacing or you could get a very short haircut."

[ggunn]

Yikes. There's a DM at Blue Angel who says (in his Cuban accent) "Be careful surfacing or you could get a very short haircut."Jorge is great, isn't he?

I use my safety sausage any time I come up more than a short distance from the DM.

[MMM]

Jorge is great, isn't he?

I use my safety sausage any time I come up more than a short distance from the DM.

Yes, he is my 2nd favourite DM on the island. :D I am like a remora with the DM when I surface.

[dmoore19]

Personally, I think a safety sausage, a whistle and a signal mirror should be considered standard equipment with the type of diving done in Cozumel.

[scubafanatic]

Personally, I think a safety sausage, a whistle and a signal mirror should be considered standard equipment with the type of diving done in Cozumel.

as well as a decent light for signaling boats.

[fire_diver]

As others have said, it's a bluewater ascent. Watch your computer to get to hang depth, then watch the floaties in front of your mask. If they are "moving" up or down, it's you, not them.

I always like to be one of the last to surface, for many reasons. In Coz, the boat comes to the divers. I just wait until others are climbing the ladder, then swim up to the boat. That way I don't have to float on the surface waiting, and I know exactly where the boat is when I surface!

[fire_diver]

Personally, I think a safety sausage, a whistle and a signal mirror should be considered standard equipment with the type of diving done in Cozumel.

I agree 100%

[la_diver]

This lady from what I was told disregarded much of what the dm told in his briefing. Kinda had an attitude as to that she had enough experience that she could go where she wanted. Dm refused to take her diving any more.

[cardzard]

Personally, I think a safety sausage, a whistle and a signal mirror should be considered standard equipment with the type of diving done in Cozumel.

I would agree 100%, you are after all responsible for yourself. I will say Cozumel has a excellent safety record when you consider how many divers are there on any given day. Not to mention the experience level each diver brings.

[dmoore19]

As others have said, it's a bluewater ascent. Watch your computer to get to hang depth, then watch the floaties in front of your mask. If they are "moving" up or down, it's you, not them.

I always like to be one of the last to surface, for many reasons. In Coz, the boat comes to the divers. I just wait until others are climbing the ladder, then swim up to the boat. That way I don't have to float on the surface waiting, and I know exactly where the boat is when I surface!

I like to wait at 15 fsw under the boat (if currents permit) and then go up when it's my turn.(the ladder is clear):D Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

sorry firediver didn't see your post from earlier

[BTravlin]

I like to wait at 15 fsw under the boat (if currents permit) and then go up when it's my turn.(the ladder is clear):D Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

sorry firediver didn't see your post from earlier

I like to exit that way too when possible. In Coz, I tell the Captain & DM if I'll be doing that so it's not unexpected. I believe most people surface and wait for the boat to come to them so it's good to get on the same page as your dive crew. Nobody wants any bad surprises.

[ScubaMarc]

as fellow northeast diver, it is much different to hang at 15 feet in green murky water as in the blue clear water. In the blue water there are many visual references that we do not have in the northeast. You can see the surface, sea floor, sun, or even the boat at depth. Just get a visual clue and after a few dives, staying at a hang gets easier.

[fire_diver]

as fellow northeast diver, it is much different to hang at 15 feet in green murky water as in the blue clear water. In the blue water there are many visual references that we do not have in the northeast. You can see the surface, sea floor, sun, or even the boat at depth. Just get a visual clue and after a few dives, staying at a hang gets easier.

It can also be much harder. In murky water there is a very rapid loss of sunlight with depth. In Coz, 10 feet is pretty much like 100 feet as far as light is concerned. Seeing the bottom and the boat can be deceptive. You can't tell when you move 10 feet closer or farther from them.

[DELMIKE]

Nothing better,drifting along like a leaf in the current at fifteen feet. Relax,enjoy and have fun.

[ggunn]

Nothing better,drifting along like a leaf in the current at fifteen feet. Relax,enjoy and have fun.
I use my safety sausage and finger spool quite often, with the line marked at 15'. I just hang from it like a subway rider and watch the ocean go by.

[mikat]

Awesome
i am bringing lifty bag and S.S...
It almost seems like caos with all the boats drifting around

I ike the idea of acting like a Remora on the DM.

[ggunn]

Awesome
i am bringing lifty bag and S.S...
It almost seems like chaos with all the boats drifting aroundIt's not that bad. The boat captains are very careful and they have been doing what they do for a long time. Just pay attention to what is happening around you and you'll be fine.

[MMM]

This lady from what I was told disregarded much of what the dm told in his briefing. Kinda had an attitude as to that she had enough experience that she could go where she wanted. Dm refused to take her diving any more.

Good for him/her. Dive shops get a bad rep when their divers get scalped, regardless of how it happened.

[Tunaman68]

I like to let enough air out of my BCD so all it takes is a little kick or a deep breath to keep me at depth - or hang from an SMB!! Ride along and enjoy!

[dmoore19]

Awesome
i am bringing lifty bag and S.S...
It almost seems like caos with all the boats drifting around

I ike the idea of acting like a Remora on the DM.

you can hear the boat before you can see it.. With vis in the 100'++++ range you can also see it. No chaos involved usually.

[Charlie99]

. :D I am like a remora with the DM when I surface. My preference is to surface next to the DM, 30 seconds AFTER he has gone to the surface.

[MMM]

My preference is to surface next to the DM, 30 seconds AFTER he has gone to the surface.

Ever noticed where remoras are on a shark? Not usually at the head. :D

[diver 85]

Just come on up to 15' and do your stop---drifting along.....everyone else willl be there with you....

[firstdive2005]

My preference is to surface next to the DM, 30 seconds AFTER he has gone to the surface.
If I dont blow my bag this is what I do also. Similarly, at night on the back road highways at home I will drive a little slower so a deer wont pop through my windshield. However if a deer catcher goes flying by well I follow 5 car lengths behind.......:D

When I bag dive in the cold ocean up north we are sometimes tethered to an anchor line as the boat is moored to a buoy at surface. The boat is not moving, easy to tether. But sometimes it isnt. We drift just as on Coz, blow a bag and hang. All you need is proper weighting and buoyancy skills.
Do a shore checkout dive to get your lead right and you will feel a lot better I'm sure. Have fun.