FALL DOWN GO BOOM IN BONAIRE

[craig haymaker]

I'll post this question here, as it is related to CCR diving. I will be traveling soon to Bonaire with my CCR. I read that when entering and exiting on shore dives, a treking pole (walking stick) is very helpfull. Because of all the rocks and broken up ironshore, it "can be easy" to fall down and go boom ! Question: Would using my 40 cu.ft. BO tank suffice as support or stick with the treking pole ? At 73 years old, I will go down if I step wrong, LOL !

 

[Rollin Bonz]

I'd be glad to escort you in and out of the water on every single dive, just need to fly me over and put me up. I pack light...

 

[sea_ledford]

Unless 73 is your height in cm, I'd think a 40 would be too short to be any use at all. Probably more dangerous than using nothing.

 

[azstinger11]

If you get an extra set of looser bands you could probably store a collapsible hiking pole on the outside of your bailout. Not like Bonaire is inundated with entanglement hazards.

 

[tarponchik]

It's hard for me to imagine how to use a cane on shore dives. I have my camera in one hand, and my fins in the other. In Hawaii and Florida I also manage to carry our dive flag. No need for this in Bonaire, but still pretty challenging at a glance.

 

[FishWatcher747]

I use a collapsible 3 piece hiking pole and then attach it between Right Shoulder and Right ribs bungees on Right sided BCW harness. No buddy help needed. Definitely would not enter, exit without it. Exception is Oil Slick.

 

[kissonerga.ccr]

I'll post this question here, as it is related to CCR diving. I will be traveling soon to Bonaire with my CCR. I read that when entering and exiting on shore dives, a treking pole (walking stick) is very helpfull. Because of all the rocks and broken up ironshore, it "can be easy" to fall down and go boom ! Question: Would using my 40 cu.ft. BO tank suffice as support or stick with the treking pole ? At 73, I will go down if I step wrong, LOL !

Last November, I used my 40 for a crutch at Karpata, better than nothing. Never tried a pole though, maybe the next time. But tripping is a real hazard – I did take a fall on the previous trip, and it wasn’t even on the rocks, it was in the sand on exit at Lac Cai. No boom, just some bruising (ego, too).

You may want to stop by at TDS and ask Zach to vet your planned dive sites, for ease of entry / exit.

Another thought – if you DPV, you could rent a Blacktip and cover several sites in one go, starting from a safe entry/exit spot

 

[tarponchik]

I use a collapsible 3 piece hiking pole and then attach it between Right Shoulder and Right ribs bungees on Right sided BCW harness. No buddy help needed. Definitely would not enter, exit without it. Exception is Oil Slick.

What, even when diving Bari reef?

 

[FishWatcher747]

What, even when diving Bari reef?

You do you, bro.

 

[craig haymaker]

Thanks for the replys guys, I think that a trekking pole will be in my arsenal for this trip.