creepy muddy water

[Mud&Rox]

I haven't really done any nasty river diving, but have been in very low viz. I find that if it's less than 2 feet it's probably not worth it. A powerful light helps, but not all that much. If it's 1 foot you can get right close to the bottom if you're looking for stuff, but can't see much anywhere else. Of course, unlike in a river, little or no current is a big help.

you want the current to remove the sediment you stir up.....no current you will be hopelessly lost in a matrix of silt

[TMHeimer]

you want the current to remove the sediment you stir up.....no current you will be hopelessly lost in a matrix of silt

Right. In my case it's usually sand, which is not as bad. For me a strong current or surge means that unseen rock approaches really quick.

[Doc Harry]

I dive in water like that all the time. I recommend that you avoid diving there until you are an advanced diver.

1. A light doesn't help you see much further, but you will need a light anyway because it gets dark as night only 10-15 feet down. You will need a light to see your gauges and compass.

2. Diving under those conditions is a very advanced dive. Don't consider diving under those conditions until you have a lot of experience.

3. You cannot see you buddy when the visibility is so poor, so it's either a solo dive or a "touch contact dive." Both solo and touch contact dives are advanced techniques that require a lot of planning and training to pull off successfully.

4. In my opinion, one of the most dangerous aspects of such conditions is entanglement. You could get really tangled in fishing line, rope or an underwater tree. I had a frightening entanglement in an underwater tree in such conditions, but thankfully I had the experience and training to extract myself from that death trap.

5. Navigating under those conditions is also a major challenge.

6. Georgia, huh? Have you thought about what you would do if you made contact with an alligator down there?

7. Dark brackish water is also a favorite hunting ground for bull sharks.

8. If there is any significant current in the river, you could get stuffed under something without realizing it until it's too late.

9. In SCUBA, what you don't know can kill you. If you want to stay alive, remain within the limits of your training. Don't venture into such poor conditions until you have received training to dive in such conditions.

[irishsquid]

I'd would also agree with the folks who mentioned these dives are basically solo dives. I really use a light only for illuminating the bottom once I'm on it (not literally), actually hovering just above it. Even thought the bottom is usually mud near shore and rock out near the channel, just touching it creates a cloud of silt/crap that if there isn't some current to move it away, then you'll have to move. My favorite way of diving the Tn. River here is: On a day of mild current, put in down river of the area I want to explore. Slowly work my way up to the area of interest (don't hurry). This allows you to work into a constantly clearing area. On the days of heavier current, I enter above the area, drift to where I want to work, latch onto the bottom, give the current a bit of time to clear the area and then search. When I'm ready to try the next spot; release and then re-latch, repeat. You need to realize that aside from these procedures, techniques, hazards, etc., there is another task load to keep in mind (at least here); I'm also towing a dive flag. It's required, even if all it really does is get the idiots on jet skis and boats to cruise over and "check it out". I hope all the replies don't discourage you from diving rivers. It really can be fun and rewarding, even if it sounds like too much work and "crap". Just understand that there are hidden hazards to think about, but; after assessing those hazards/risks, getting the training and experience, and then planning for those risks, these types of dives have an enjoyment factor I really can't explain. My wife says it's probably because I'm an idiot. Probably!

[Bombay High]

I recommend that you avoid diving there until you are an advanced diver.

Diving under those conditions is a very advanced dive. Don't consider diving under those conditions until you have a lot of experience.

In SCUBA, what you don't know can kill you. If you want to stay alive, remain within the limits of your training. Don't venture into such poor conditions until you have received training to dive in such conditions.

This is the best advice anyone can give you.

You say the water gives you the creeps. Starting from there is not good.

I dive blackwater (no viz) all the time for work. There are so many issues to think about, and the task loading can get complex.

My advice would be to avoid it altogether, until you have a greater body of experience.