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> Date sent: Tue, 2 Jan 1996 19:11:27 -0800 > From: biped@ix*.ne*.co* (L. Allen Beard ) > Subject: Double Talk (i.e. equipment redundancy) > To: techdiver@terra.net > I am getting mixed messages on equipment. Why all the need for > redundant this and redundant that? Or is there a need? The required > equipment list for a TDI Technical Diver course called for (amoung > other items): a redundant bladder backmount BC, redundant mask w/bag, > and a redundant bottom timer/depth gauge (read:computer). > > After veiwing WKPP's gear rigging video, I e-mailed George and asked > about a redundant BC and mask. Their gear set-up was very clean and > simple and ommitted these items. He replied that they are not needed. > Is this because of a difference in disciplines (Cave v. Wreck)? One > would think that the same gear configuration would suffice for both > types of diving. > > In Ken Sallot's add for his Sunto Alpha he said that he was selling it > because he is a cave diver and doesn't need two computers. > > Would some of you please set the record strait! Oh by the way, just to > be safe I think I'll send this message twice... "Technical diver course", "redundant bladder", "redundant bottom timer", etc. Eeeeck!!!!!!!! What's that saying, "Be afraid, be very afraid". It's part of the great lie. "If you carry everything including the kitchen sink you will be safer". It's a bunch of bs. "redundant bladder" - My drysuit can easily replace a bc without any worries. Even then you could still swim against the weight of the tanks if you had to. A friend and I were about 2600' back in a very low silty section of cave about 6 months ago and the inflator for his BC fell apart (literally) causing his BC to fail. Guess what, aside from the initial silt from the immediate mishap, we were able to turn around and exit the dive without any other incident. It took us about 45 minutes to exit (we were about 50 minutes into the dive, as I said, it's a very low/silty section of cave, very slow moving in there). "redundant bottom timer/depth gauge" - Umm, usually you know the maximum depths of the dive before you go anyway. Most of the places I dive I know where my deco stops should be as well. And, above all else your buddy is your backup. I DO usually bring my watch along as well, but that's just to make it easier on deco (countdown timer). Reels, I only bring one unless I know I'm going to be doing jumps, then I'll just bring what I need. I don't go into a dive with 5 reels "in case I find a jump". If the jump looks like it needs a reel (silty), you can "T" it with your reel, or otherwise sight gap it, or come back and check that tunnel out later on. Backup lights, I carry two. SL-4's. Small and compact, they fit on my harness. Between my three lights and my buddies three lights we should never be totally out of light. UK-1200's (Pelican lights, whatever) should not be backup lights as they're too big and bulky and just asking for trouble. The bottom line seems to be that some people erroneously feel that in order to be "safe" you must look like you're carrying everything possible with you. My belief is this is more detrimental to you because when the shit hits the fan you don't want to have to work around 50,000 pieces of gear to get to the piece you need. The difference is not between "cave and wreck" diving. We see the same horrific stuff cave diving that you're describing you "need" for this "technical diver" course. With a few minor modifications I believe I would be ready to go jump on a wreck as well, but since you can't drink saltwater I don't have much desire to do that. Ken -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ken Sallot "I'm not flying. I'm falling, with style" CIRCA - Buzz Lightyear kens@uf*.ed* (352) 392-2007 http://grove.ufl.edu/~ken -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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