Making Scuba Boat Dives Run Smoothly
Steps A Scuba Diver Can Take To Improve Their Boat Diving Experience
Aug 6, 2008
A boat dive can be chaos. The dive-master is hurrying divers, equipment is spread around, some divers may be in a panic; others might be in the water waiting for their buddy who is still on the boat.
This situation is not one person’s fault. The dive-master might have a dozen divers to get into the water and one late person can cause a bottleneck on the duckboard. Some divers are well organised while others may want, or need, to get in the water quickly.
Keep Track Of Equipment
To address these problems and increase enjoyment from boat diving is simple: a diver should know where their gear is at all times. This sounds straightforward, though it is surprising how many divers have a mask in the bow, fins in the middle and regulator somewhere in the stern. When it’s time to gear up there is a mad scramble to bring it all together.
Once on the boat, a diver should keep all their gear together; maybe in the gear bag or in a small pile. It should be organised so the first piece used is the first out. This will probably be the buoyancy compensator and regulator to set up on a tank. Next will be the wetsuit and last the mask and fins.
Weight-belts are one item handled differently on each boat. The skipper on a smaller boat might want them all together to aid the boat’s trim.
If possible, on the trip to the dive site the regulator and buoyancy compensator should be put on the tank and checked to ensure everything is working. It’s better to do this early, than wait until the mad scramble at the dive site.
On a small boat, divers should sit close to their gear and buddy. While doing the final gearing up, make sure all equipment is within easy reach.
Time To Put On Equipment
The mask should not be put on until just about to get in. On the forehead is not good practice, as a flailing arm can knock it overboard while other divers pull on tanks and wetsuits.
If possible, gloves should be put on after entering the water. There is better feel with bare skin to make last minute adjustments to buckles, watches, computers and the like. They can be stored in the buoyancy compensator pocket or stuffed down the wetsuit. However, if there is a raging current and the entry requires dragging along a rope to get down, put the gloves on first.
The weight-belt should be put on last. There is always the chance of getting knocked overboard and if wearing a weight-belt a diver could have negative buoyancy and go straight to the bottom.
After The Dive
After the dive, locate all equipment and put it back in an organised pile. This is especially important if doing a second dive in a few hours. Usually the fins are handed to someone in the boat and then thrown in a heap. Tanks get handled roughly and could easily land on an expensive mask if it’s left lying carelessly on the deck. Care of the mask is extremely important if it is a prescription mask. Accidentally dropped weight-belts and tanks smash gauges and dive computers.
Being organised and keeping track of equipment on a boat dive might sound straight forward, but it is easy for bits and pieces to go astray. Knowing where the gear is at all times will lead to a safer and enjoyable dive experience, not only for a diver and buddy, but also the rest of the diving party.
