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What is your opinion on what is a “ripping current” under the following conditions (please answer in knots):
50 – 80 feet depth;
boat dive – anchored;
little or no wind;
sunny warm day;
constant current (no surge);
river (vis at 50 feet 70 degrees); or
ocean (vis at 80 feet and 80 degrees).
1. river – bottom below 80 feet;
2. river - flat bottom;
3. river - with rocks and wrecks on bottom;
4. ocean – bottom below 80 feet;
5. ocean – flat bottom;
6. ocean – rocks/coral/wrecks on bottom.
There are many factors (not cosidered) that could make diving in a current dangerous (boat traffic, downwellings, diver experience and competence, buddied with a stranger, drift or anchored dive, shore or boat dive, your physical condition, …).
1 knot = 1.15 mph or 101 feet per minute or 20 inches per second.
I don't think the conditions have much to do with it... a strong current is a strong current.
It may not be very precise, but I generally consider current on the following subjective scale:
No current: When I stay still, I stay in the same spot.
Mild current: I can easily make headway against the current without much extra exertion.
Moderate current: I can easily remain stationary without much extra exertion, but making headway against it requires some work.
Strong current: I can remain stationary with exertion.
Ripping current: I have to be anchored in order to remain stationary.
"kite in the wind" would be a good visual of a diver on a line in a ripping current..... or when the mate pulls the anchor and 2 minutes later he looks like he's water skiing behind the boat.... thats ripping current
__________________
Butch taught me well
TDI ADV NITROX & DECO
LGS Black water rescue, Rapid deployment search & rescue
My definition of a ripping current is simple. When facing the current, and I turn my head to the side, if my mask flutters like a flag...it is ripping.
Why would anyone WANT to hang onto a line like a flag. delayed marker up, drift, relax.
Have done this on the Eagan Lane in Plymouth where my buddy and I had to come up off the line and we were pushed off the wreck by the current, no problems, not such a good idea on a dive like the Thistlegorm however
Linear Mode
