haumana ronin
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A lot of definitions for trust me dives are given here, but the definition I like the best is that if the leader suddenly disappeared could you and your buddy (or maybe just you if it was a really bad situation) get back to safety. I was wondering which factors make trust me dives and lack of skill dangerous, especially for new divers. I want to know if I am putting myself in unreasonable danger, so I will add what some stream of consciousness ideas and admit if I do these.
Let me know if I am missing any, have them in the wrong order, think any ideas are really wrong, or am placing myself at undue risk.
So what else makes a trust me dive a trust me dive?
:zen:
Let me know if I am missing any, have them in the wrong order, think any ideas are really wrong, or am placing myself at undue risk.
- Air monitoring - Critical habit. Dive leader shouldn't even have to ask. Equipment failure is the only reason OOA should happen.
- "Real" Overhead - Critical, seems like a good way to panic and/or trap yourself if you don't have training. I wouldn't attempt it without training.
- Air planning - Critical/Very important. Must know the plan even in training. You should think pretty hard before doing something not in the plan, though it might be needed in an emergency. Rock bottom calculations are important, though I have to admit to using depth x 10 + 200 for an ascent start rather than a true calculation.
- No hard bottom - Very important. Have buoyancy and safe entry procedures down. Jumping in with a partially inflated BC and slowly letting air out solves this for many people. Know how to dump weights. I still only dive with a hard bottom though. I don't touch the bottom at the end of the descent so I think I am in control.
- Depth - Very important. N2 loading really ramps up below 60. Air consumption increases too. Scary... Don't know my narc susceptibility. Whatever lack of skill I have in the shallows only becomes more critical at depth. I will try it in a class maybe.:scared:
- Night - Important. New environment. Could be scary. SAC will probably jump. I am considering a trust me though. I have the AOW book and am studying that. Gonna have to pack a backup backup light...
- Equipment - Somewhat important. Know your equipment. New divers who are more likely to rent should examine it and know where everything is and how everything works. Test it out on the surface. Know where everyone else's gear is too for that matter. With regard to set up of equipment, if the tour operator sets it up, double check it anyways. I even pull up on the tank straps a bit to make sure the tank wont slide out. I check on the weights and weight pocket clip too. And always always check your air on the surface!
- Weighting - Somewhat important. Know your average weighting and your average suit so the tour operator can make adjustments if you rent. Though if you are going to have a gross error, make that error on the heavier side. I think I am close to dialed in for a beginner.
- Slight Overhead - Somewhat important. The "swim through." Nonstop, no turning, always see lots of light, see from entrance through to the exit. There is some judgment call as to what the difference is between a slight and real overhead is. Search on your own in the forums for info on that. Yes, I do this, for about 10 feet long caverns so far.
- NDL planning - (probably) not that important for new divers. Air will probably run out long before NDL, especially if you use a computer, but only if you don't go down that deep.
- Being part of the planning - not that important, as long as it seems reasonable to you. It still must be communicated to you. It depends on how much you trust the planners I guess. I do need some practice planning though.
- Navigation - not that important FOR ME WHERE I CURRENTLY DIVE. I know that the areas I dive are clear of traffic, which way is up, which way is the shore, and I know I can surface then swim to the boat, or even the shore if needed (wouldn't be much further than what I have done, and this time I'd have fins ) I will take the course though as I recognize this as a deficiency and would be very important in many occasions.
- Fine Buoyancy control - Unimportant. People drag all over the place all the time. Mine is ok for a beginner I think.
- SAC calculation - unimportant if you keep the above factors in mind. I have found the calculation for it, though it is hard since all my dives so far start off near the bottom of the profile and end less deep.
So what else makes a trust me dive a trust me dive?
:zen: