fisherdvm
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I vaguely remember watching a PADI drift diving video, about how relaxing it is just to go with a current. However, it can be the most stressful and dangerous form of diving there is. Diving in still water or on a protected shore is still ideal for beginners. Drift diving often involves being on a boat, which carries its own risks, especially in areas where anchoring is not permitted.
Reefs is static. It runs north and south, or east and west. Current is not. And wind is not. Now you have 3 vectors - 1. The divers who want to follow the reef. 2. The current that wants to carry the divers. and 3. The wind that wants to carry the flag.
Unless all 3 are along the same direction... drift diving is not as simple as drifting with the current.
Next... you add moving unanchored boats ...
Next ... you add waves, rigid dive ladder, losing a fin while you try to hand it on deck...
Next ... you add low on air or out of air
Next... you add surfacing without a dive flag and without a surface marker device....
I am not sure if a "drift diver" or "boat diver" specialty course can prepare a beginner for diving when the combination of the above is together.
I would like us to envision situation where in a drift dive, you have experienced difficulty and how to prevent it and deal with it safely.
Reefs is static. It runs north and south, or east and west. Current is not. And wind is not. Now you have 3 vectors - 1. The divers who want to follow the reef. 2. The current that wants to carry the divers. and 3. The wind that wants to carry the flag.
Unless all 3 are along the same direction... drift diving is not as simple as drifting with the current.
Next... you add moving unanchored boats ...
Next ... you add waves, rigid dive ladder, losing a fin while you try to hand it on deck...
Next ... you add low on air or out of air
Next... you add surfacing without a dive flag and without a surface marker device....
I am not sure if a "drift diver" or "boat diver" specialty course can prepare a beginner for diving when the combination of the above is together.
I would like us to envision situation where in a drift dive, you have experienced difficulty and how to prevent it and deal with it safely.