Riding a DSMB up from a deep wreck???

[dave22387]

I do not believe that JC teaches this as a backup buoyancy technique. I do not know definitively, I could be wrong, but I highly doubt it. He requires for all his classes and also preaches having a double bladder. He is very against using a DSMB/Bag for redundancy (as am I) so I doubt he is teaching this technique as an option for BC failure.

From JC's website:

"A Dual Bladder Wing is not simply a good idea, it is essential for deep deco dives. Simply put, on deep dives we do not have the time to screw around with alternate ascent plans involving Lift Bags and SMB's, in the event of a torn corrugated hose or broken elbow, nut, whatever. So, a Dual Bladder Wing is good..."

It goes on to talk about lift requirements etc. and which wing he prefers, but you get the idea.

I personally, having used a DSMB for alternate lift during drills know it really isn't that feasible in a real-world oh crap I am going down emergency in open water without a hard bottom, so I agree with his dual bladder philosophy. Now this all could be mitigated by diving a balanced rig, which is nice in theory, but certainly is not always possible due to dive requirements.

All the nonsense about the cons of double bladders spouted on SB is generally from people who haven't ever used one or touched one. Those of us who dive them know air doesn't get trapped, you don't get confused about where the air is, they don't self-inflate (unless you keep #2 plugged in which is downright stupid and I don't know anyone who does...)

I am not trying to open the bladder debate as it has been beaten to death on here...

That being said if you put a tiny breath in the bag, just enough so that it stays loosely upright, and keep the spool tight to the bag, I believe that the risk of it becoming too buoyant, or getting entangled are very very low. This way you don't have to deploy mid water with no visual reference in a heavy current. Even though it is done regularly down here, if you're able to deploy from a hard bottom it is preferred.

The couple people who I have talked to who have tried this technique said that it was easy and great. That being said, one really does have to think about the "what if you need two hands" argument, which is valid. I do pose this question though. If you are going up on a bag without an upline, your hands are already occupied and you can't just let go of your spool because now it is gone.

 

[CuzzA]

Or just...yanno... dive a balanced rig?

Yes, that would be wise.

Even with a balanced rig, I like the idea of a dual bladder wing diving wet, deep and with a long deco plan. Certainly one could manage his or her stops with a lift bag or SMB and line, but in the unlikely event of a failure of the primary wing, say a tear on a wreck, that accent will be much better managed by the second wing. Like you said, you might need two hands. All personal preference, I don't see a negative with a detached DBW.

 

[EireDiver606]

Not shooting the messenger here @dave22387 but diving a balanced rig would be a lot easier.

Why would someone want to complicate things by doing that type of ascent when you already have risks? I don’t see the benefit. As @PfcAJ said, you have two hands busy. OOG?

 

[seeker242]

He is very against using a DSMB/Bag for redundancy (as am I) so I doubt he is teaching this technique as an option for BC failure.

Teaching TDI class, he many not have a choice. It's part of the required drills for TDI decompression procedures class. Even if you do have a dual bladder wing, you still have to complete bag ascent for the class. At least that's what my instructor said.

In-water Drills
6. Demonstrate controlled / staged ascent on lift bag / emergency ascent line (lost ascent line)

I was told that essentially means ascend with a bag.

 

[Ryan Mcshane]

I’ve had an elbow joint of a wing come off pretty close to the start of a dive, with 2 stages on and didn’t die horribly
.
The gas in your wing doesn’t just vanish, a fair amount stays in place. A Little gas in the suit and you can ascend pretty comfortably.

+1 for balanced rig.

 

[PfcAJ]

Yes, that would be wise.

Even with a balanced rig, I like the idea of a dual bladder wing diving wet, deep and with a long deco plan. Certainly one could manage his or her stops with a lift bag or SMB and line, but in the unlikely event of a failure of the primary wing, say a tear on a wreck, that accent will be much better managed by the second wing. Like you said, you might need two hands. All personal preference, I don't see a negative with a detached DBW.

Well, a detached DBW doesn't work AT ALL when you jump in the water and the elbow of your attached wing pops off.

You're a lawn dart.

 

[PfcAJ]

I’ve had an elbow joint of a wing come off pretty close to the start of a dive, with 2 stages on and didn’t die horribly
.
The gas in your wing doesn’t just vanish, a fair amount stays in place. A Little gas in the suit and you can ascend pretty comfortably.

+1 for balanced rig.

If that had come off when you jumped in you'd be on a one way ride to the bottom unless your rig was balanced.

 

[seeker242]

Or just...yanno... dive a balanced rig?

Is it possible to achieve a balanced rig on deeper dives, like Tech 2 and beyond? Dives where double AL80 just won't cut it and you have 2-3 extra bottles?

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Seaweed doc during the day ... pole dancing in the evening ?

It's funny until the harbor seals get fresh and start stuffing herring in your wetsuit.

 

[CuzzA]

Well, a detached DBW doesn't work AT ALL when you jump in the water and the elbow of your attached wing pops off.

You're a lawn dart.

Inspect gear. When that fails. Oral inflate second bladder. Kick hard.