dry heat diver
Contributor
Any time you don't feel entirely comfortable with your ability to handle the conditions. There is nothing you need to prove. Live to dive another day.
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A lot also depends upon the frequency of the swell. Here in the Chesapeake 5-6' swells SUCK in smaller boats. 30' and bigger is just sucks. However out in the Atlantic 5-6' swells aren't that bad. In the Bay they have a very short frequency and in the Ocean they have a longer frequency. Wind can change that frequency. If you're off of NC in the Gulf Stream and you have a wind coming from the North, that 5-6' swell can get erratic and rough. I've been in the Gulf Stream in larger swells with the wind coming out of the South. Not too bad at all.
Anyway my point is, experience will tell you when enough is enough. You're there to have fun and frankly I'd rather not get hurt and live to dive another day.
Yup ... and your brain says "this is soooo not right" ... and then your stomach says "I'm soooo outta here" ... and then all the little fishes look at you and look at each other and say "food?"
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
So what is ok one place might not be in another depending on the divers, the boat, the captain, and the usual conditions.
I was out of WPB with a dive op when they cancelled the 2nd dive because of waves. I dunno, I didn't think it was that bad. I was wearing doubles and didn't have any trouble getting up the ladder. WHen they cancelled the 2nd dive, my response was "YGBSM.".
- well after hearing THAT, of course you were right to call the dive!!!. . . which required cutting through my rotator cuff to put a titanium rod in my arm . . .