good NE shop/instructor for search & recovery ?

[solor]

Hello all,

Looking for recommendations for a good class (instructor) in MA area for learning the skills included in S&R, like using spools, shooting bags, etc. Anxious to try scallop diving this year and am interested in S&R in general as a possible diving activity going forward. Would prefer to learn from someone who actively uses these skills, not just being certified to teach the specialty. This class seems to be rarely scheduled in advance on the various shops' websites but I might be able to gather 2-3 people for instruction if anyone has suggestions...?

thanks in advance,

Steve

 

[reefseal]

They cater more to the advanced technical divers as well as recreational. They'll teach blowing bags, S&R..

 

[Dry_Diver]

I would try Mark Bowers at Andy's Sport Shop. He is an excellent instructor who teach NAUI but also is a TDI tech instructor as well.

They have a website located here Andy's Sport Shop - Ski & Scuba Specialists

Hope that helps.

 

[Rich Keller]

Hello all,

Looking for recommendations for a good class (instructor) in MA area for learning the skills included in S&R, like using spools, shooting bags, etc. Anxious to try scallop diving this year and am interested in S&R in general as a possible diving activity going forward. Would prefer to learn from someone who actively uses these skills, not just being certified to teach the specialty. This class seems to be rarely scheduled in advance on the various shops' websites but I might be able to gather 2-3 people for instruction if anyone has suggestions...?

thanks in advance,

Steve

Dive shops do not teach this much for a couple of reasons. First it is more in the realm of commercial diving and even though they would never admit it they know very little about it. Second a course like that does not sell a lot of equipment so there is no profit in them giving the course. If you are trying to salvage a specific item I could probably walk you through it on line with the help of other commercial divers on this site. Salvage is usually more about improvisation then anything else, you could raise the Titanic with one gallon plastic milk bottles and string if you had enough places to tie them. The first thing you need to know is everything about tying knots, without that you will not get very far. I would recommend the Ashley Book of Knots for a start but there are others that I am sure are equally good for what you need to know.

 

[porgyhunter]

Rick is right about improv, I've done alittle salvage stuff. Shallow....under 50' You do learn to respect expanding gas

 

[solor]

Thanks all for the responses. For now my goal is pretty simple: to learn the basics of using a reel/spool to cover an area for scallops, find my way back to a (hopefully) full first bag when I'm finished, then use a lift bag to get it all to the surface for pick-up. S&R seems like a good way to get to know what I don't know about these basics while building good habits from the beginning. I like knot-tying and the idea of manipulating the various lines etc, so this should be fun.

I'll check out Andy's and Aquatic Escapes...I haven't been to either of those shops yet.

Steve

 

[SkuaSeptember]

Jim Sullivan at Boston Scuba!
Boston SCUBA - Retail Sales, SCUBA Classes, Dive Charters, Boston Harbor Tours & Diver Services
He does commercial work, had the contract to clear the UW area beneath the Museum of Contemp Art for the high divers 2 weeks ago and also runs scallop diving charters.

 

[Rich Keller]

The easiest way would be to run a circular search pattern off the anchor holding your boat or dive flag in place. It would be a good idea not to try and use too much line. I would start with 30’ to no more than 50’ on a heavy spool so you can lay it on the bottom and have it stay in place if needed. Start by letting out 5 or 10 feet of line depending on your visibility then keep letting out more line once you have covered an area. When you have a full catch bag you could send it up along the anchor line and have someone on the surface pick it up so you can stay down and fill your next catch bag. You would want to use the smallest lift bag possible if you are not going up the line with the bag so it does not take off on you and pick up the anchor in the process. If you are sending it up a dive flag line you do not want to have too much line between the anchor and the dive flag, keep it as straight as possible. Use a large clip to attach the lift and catch bags to the line so there is less chance of it getting fouled on the way up, I would use mountain climbing carabineers for that. You do not need to use lift bags if the load is light enough a one or two gallon plastic container might be all you need, a gallon will displace about 8lbs of water. Why buy a lift bag when all you need is to go through the recycling bin? If you can provide me with more details of how you plan on doing this I should be able to provide additional information that might be useful.