Defense Against a Menace

[boulderjohn]

When I first went through getting certified (more than a while ago). I don't recall that exact slide, but I do recall having do drop all gear at the bottom, surface, dive back down, re-don the gear. I know it's not part of the PADI program any more. I was told that at least 1 student had died from the free accent, held his breath. For me, it was very eye-opening how the air kept coming out of my lungs coming from 12 foot to 0.

I do't know if it has happened other times, but ti definitely happened a few years ago in a session at the University of Alabama. The class was SSI, which like most mainstream agencies does not include this exercise in its curriculum because it is considered to be too dangerous. Whether you agree with that or not, that is the position these agencies have taken. I assume there was a lawsuit, but I do not know the details. If such a lawsuit went to trial, the instructor would have to convince the jury that she was acting with an appropriate regard for student safety when she included the fatal exercise that most agencies, including hers, have said is too dangerous for the class. It's something every instructor should think about when adding unsanctioned exercises to an OW class. Can you successfully defend your actions in a court of law?

 

[mrokern]

My OW (SSI) included BCD remove and replace at the surface in both confined and open water, and underwater during confined.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

PADI also does remove and replace as part of confined water protocol. I only had to do this one time, due to some kelp and a frisky sea lion off the channel islands in So Cal. Other than that , a few times a year in the pool is about it for me. The reference to "menace" seems to suggest using your tank as a point of interference between you and the attacker, whether fish or sinister villain from Sea Hunt.
DivemasterDennis

 

[Diver0001]

Also in mine, am I to believe that donning and doffing your tank is no longer part of OW instruction?

In the PADI system it is still required at the OW level both on the surface and under water.

R..

 

[drl]

I still can't imagine what sort of "menace" you would want to hand your air source to!

 

[Phil_C]

Still in the CMAS syllabus - I had to do it several times, both confined and open water, during 1,2 and 3 star courses, and it was still being taught earlier this year when I was helping out. - P

 

[Searcaigh]

In the PADI system it is still required at the OW level both on the surface and under water.

R..

Good to know

This is a skill that should be continued in all courses, I don't recall doing it for my AOW, but I think it was done on my Rescue class and more recently it was part of my Advanced Recreational Trimix course below and on the surface, it helps maintaining familiarity with your gear.

---------- Post added June 14th, 2014 at 02:09 PM ----------

When I first went through getting certified (more than a while ago). I don't recall that exact slide, but I do recall having do drop all gear at the bottom, surface, dive back down, re-don the gear. I know it's not part of the PADI program any more. I was told that at least 1 student had died from the free accent, held his breath. For me, it was very eye-opening how the air kept coming out of my lungs coming from 12 foot to 0.

Of course, the rig looked a lot like that, but dual hose... shades of THUNDERBALL.

Fixed that movie title for you

The scenario you describe about doffing gear, surfacing and returning back down to don it again is part of the IANTD ART course that I have just referred to above. It is done from 6M depth (18ft). Surfacing is done feet first to control ascent, it should be also done wearing a weight belt, getting back down without one in a 5mm suit is not easy.

 

[Doc]

Amateur stuff, so far.

Here's the real-deal: deviantART: More Like Arguments Underwater by samblaik

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Good to know

This is a skill that should be continued in all courses, I don't recall doing it for my AOW, but I think it was done on my Rescue class and more recently it was part of my Advanced Recreational Trimix course below and on the surface, it helps maintaining familiarity with your gear.

---------- Post added June 14th, 2014 at 02:09 PM ----------



Fixed that movie title for you

The scenario you describe about doffing gear, surfacing and returning back down to don it again is part of the IANTD ART course that I have just referred to above. It is done from 6M depth (18ft). Surfacing is done feet first to control ascent, it should be also done wearing a weight belt, getting back down without one in a 5mm suit is not easy.

A feet first (upside down) ascent is performed why again? I do it laying flat on my back spread out. That way you can see the surface, judge your ascent rate and the drag helps control the ascent rate.

 

[Jill from Phoenix]

I love it, but I still think it has value for daredevil divers that are in the water with predators that use their mouths and bodies - like dogs - to feel their world.

The point is not to hand the cylinder off, but to block any mouthing or bumping. Photogs do this all the time with their cameras. I don't take the unit off as much as I just give them my back.

For entanglement, it absolutely has value. We're taught to slowly back out of any entanglement, but if that strategy fails and the buddy isn't around to help, taking the unit off is necessary.