Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: techdiver

Message Display

Do any of you folks carry a "Jersey" emergency ascent reel?  I made one
out of a boom handle and the ends of a small plastic spool that held
electrical wire.  But I was never able to find a place to secure it
where I felt I would be able to actually reach it under the stressful
circumstances for which it is intended.  I mean come on, I can't even
reach my isolator valve without loosening my harness belt and hiking up
my tanks when wearing a 7 mm dry suit with undergarments.  So I figured
since I always carry a 50 lb. lift bag, to bring up what I perceive to
be treasures rescued from certain destruction by the corrosive power of
the sea.  And since I always, always, carry a wreck reel with 250' of
1/8" line, I felt that should suffice.
Well, a couple of weekends ago I was out on the USS San Diego. She is
located about 12 miles south of Fire Island inlet, Long Island, NY.  The
seas were 5-6 feet with the occasional 8' swell. With the first two
divers already down on the wreck the boat broke the mooring chain.  The
captain waited for the divers to shoot their bags before she maneuvered
back over the wreck. The mate was then able to swim down a grapple so
that the rest of us could get our dive in. Anyway, when it was time to
leave, the crew retrieved the bags and I saw that they were attached to
wreck reel line.  I asked the two guys who deployed the bags ( both of
whom have many years of wreck diving experience) if they had ever had to
shoot a bag before.  They both said they had not. I then asked a couple
of other divers who had their Jersey reels mounted between their tanks
if they thought they would be able to deploy them given the surge on the
wreck at 110 fsw.  They said they hoped so but were in the process of
rethinking their set-up given the days events.
So I guess what I want from you folks, is a discussion or some insight
on how best to rig an emergency ascent line for the open ocean. I
realize cave diving is different, however we wreckers are open to your
progressive ideas.
Dive safe!

A.J.

--
Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.
Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]