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 I have always carried and used an upline. I started with the 1/4" hemp
lines which I quit using after a few times of watching it unreel full of
black rotten areas. I now carry an upline 250 ft of 3/16? nylon, I have
deployed it in up to about a four foot surge. Like anything in diving you
don't fight the surge you kind work around it. I have not used the upline
since I started using reels when diving most wrecks off N.J.. When I was
doing most of the junkyards off jersey it is very easy to get lost, even
with our stellar vis. So one day the light went off, I started to use a reel
on most dives. Although the possibility still exists of the line getting cut
it still (I feel) is the most appropriate method. The down side is most
boats will still want you to carry one. I really don't feel the reel line is
strong enough for most people to use as an upline. You.ve got a 50lb open
bottom lift bag so it must have tension on it to keep it full (i've gone to
a closed bottom bag). There goes some of the limited strength of the lighter
line, on top of that is the strain you place on it going up. When you add in
the surge, 4-6 ft seas you can easily see how the lighter lines could snap.
I really believe for most Jersey divers an up line is a good safety feature
that you'll never need with proper skills. They remind me a little of
training wheels at some point they can come off. However don't blame valves
and up lines for your not being able to reach them, either move your gear
and or do some stretching, or take up golf.
-----Original Message-----
From: A.J. Murphy <ajmurphy@sn*.ne*>
To: techdiver mail <techdiver@aquanaut.com>
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 1999 10:21 PM
Subject: Jersey ascent line ???


>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.
>
>--
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>

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