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Joseph, Many of us are looking for ways to solve little specific problems that still exist with the basic hogarthian cave configuration in some adjacent applications. Obviously no individual interpretation or modification is equally suitable in all situations or for every diver. However, the basic philosophy seems to remain rock solid through test after testof it's worth and as a sump diver you are diving in the exact situation and conditions from which this philosophy was spawned. Tying this tool to your wrist with a solid cord is a gross deviation from this bit of hard earned wisdom and even the breakable cord that I use is still at least a minor one. The reason you dropped the first tool (cold hands, gloves, intricate job, .. . . .) is not usually gone when you reach for another so that spares only give you a second chance with the same risk of dropping the tool again. What you and I are trying to do is reduce the risk of loosing the tool in the first place but it is not worth the substitute risk the solid cord represents. There is yet another alternative to tying this tool off to yourself or carrying many spares. Make it neutrally buoyant! Cut enough unnecessary metal out of them to get them as light as possible and spot weld or screw on hollow handles. Make them neutral in fresh water and add a small screw somewhere on them for salt water. Not as certain retention as tying them on but it will probably slow their escape if dropped. Joeseph, you said: >Picture yourself in a sump tangled hopelessly in your line. You are feeling >really stupid because you should not be in this position to begin with so >something else has probably gone wrong as well to get you here. You are >exited and the adrenaline is pumping, you have not panicked yet, but you are >not as coordinated as you would like because of all of those chemicals pumping >through your body. To all this add cold or possibly numb hands. >You reach for your knife and oups.... you drop it, it falls out of reach and >disappears into the near zero visibility..........you die.......... If this is what you picture as your reaction to the discovery that you are entangled imagine your reaction to a low pressure hose cutting loose in a confined space (wreck or sump - back or sidemount). Are you going to calmly tuck your scissors away and nonchalantly reach for the other regulator and the valve on the offending side of the system? I suspect that you will be slinging that bolo on your wrist all over the place and end up tied in knots, shrouded in silt, hose wiped, "and" out of air. It will be easy to find you though; just follow the line to the pair of scissors and the diver will be firmly attached nearby. How convenient ! Please at least go take a look at this little elastic material. It is plenty strong enough to retain any tool you would carry and just about as firm as a cord. If you can't find it I will send you some to try out. Chuck -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send list subscription requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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