jhoey:
I'm surprised to hear that one -- why would the bungie loop on the goodman handle be considered "out of date"? That's how I have my light configured, and didn't get any comments about it from my fundies instructor.
Of course, that may have been because my fundies instructor was Dan Mackay...
Well, it's not "forbidden"; if your team wants to do certain things a certain way, as long as it does not compromise safety, that's cool - don't worry, the secret DIR scuba police won't come knocking on your door
What GUE teaches now is to have a small boltsnap (usually a 1/2" size) tied to the right side of the Goodman handle, with a loop used at the end of the ballast.
JJ explains:
"When it became obvious that having a clip on the back of the ballast was useful to prevent blinding a dive buddy we began experimenting with a range of attachments. I have tried nearly every version under the sun and have been settling down to the following:
There should be a permanent clip on the light to ensure you can always secure it when it is not in use or has failed. This smaller clip should be tied to the handle. I prefer the right side as this seems to keep the light a bit tighter to the chest. A loop of bungie, a thick o-ring or other attachment point that stands up a bit and can be clipped into with one hand should be placed near the back of the ballast. This attachment point can be secured with a double end clip which may be stored in a pocket or on the D ring when not in use.
The primary thing that I do not like about swapping the double end clip from front to back is that it hangs a bit lower when you need to stow the light such as in a failed situation or when done diving it in open water. In smaller cave this seems more likely to drag or catch; in open water it is more likely to catch or smash into something when getting out of the boat. I prefer a fixed clip to the front as this is the more critical attachment. Previously I tried fixed clips at both locations and tucked the clip under a band around the ballast. This was ok but less ideal.
Regarding the double end clip in the back I usually have it attached to the D ring. If the cave is small I use one of the light bands to hold it down against the backup light. I prefer to use the smallest double ender available so that if I am using it regularly such as scooter survey you can leave it on the light between shots and then remove for the exit.
...The problem ultimately develops because people invariably use the light a bit differently. I have strived to find something in the spirit of DIR that works in all diving. Two clips bother me though I appreciate their benefit. Using a double end clip as the only clip bothers me more. I have played with a few different attachment methods and have been playing with one that would allow the clip to be accessible but also to be tucked out of the way when not in use. In many forms of diving the rear clip is rarely used making it problematic for it to be left in the open. I think that we are nearly there."
More from Clare Gledhill:
"OK so one of the strengths of GUE is standards - and here is the standard for light heads.
'During certain diving scenarios it becomes desirable to clip the light head such that the beam points down away from a team member’s eyes. In order to facilitate this need while reducing the complexity of multiple clips
GUE procedures utilize the placement of a permanent clip on the handle of the light head and a loop at the rear of the light head. The rear loop allows the diver to temporarily clip a double end clip to the back of the light head. The permanent placement of clip at the handle ensures that a clip is available at the most important location and is easily used should it be necessary to stow the light permanently in the event of a failure or when the light is no longer needed. This clip is placed on the right side where the diver can hold it with the thumb of their left hand. Lights that are no longer in use should be stowed with the light cord tucked under the long hose.'
So... the standard is a loop - doesn't say whether it should be bungy or an O ring or cave line. Like many of our standards they are principles whcih are borne out of good diving practice rather than rules.
My own experience is that cave line makes a loop which is hard to snap into one handed, first time, everytime.
Stowing your light should ideally be a one handed operation - not merely becasue it looks cool but also you may be in need of your other hand at the time!
Take the double ender from your D ring, snap it into the loop whilst the light is still on the back of your hand, and then stow on the D ring - using the same end of the double ender. Make it a quick, slick, practised action which you can do, after practice, without much effort. Don't forget to tuck the cord in your belt - under the long hose - no matter how you clip off your light.
Personally I use a bungy loop tied off and glued then attached to the light in the groove at the end of the ballast which Halcyon have designed in to the light for this purpose. If you struggle to tie tight line make sure you tie it when wet - line tied dry slackens off when wet."
