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Over the last 20 years I have seen the development of "Tech" diving. I saw=20 the introduction of alternative gasses, better BC=92s, lights, scoters. I sa= w=20 divers gear up only to discover that they got task loaded with it. I saw=20 death and near misses lead to DIR. Now is DIR never changing? I hope not, fo= r=20 DIR to move on it must change with the development of better and more robust=20 equipment, it must change with new knowledge of diving physiology, and it=20 must adapt to the local conditions of the dive. Now as for the free theater of the past few days. Everybody, GROW UP Name calling and personal attack is the last way to do anything. If I need=20 bickering I=92ll go to work and deal with the union. Now for a few observations: Lights <<As stated before a canister light is usually unneeded on ocean dive. AS=20 such, no NEED for primary and multiple secondary backup lights. (Bring one i= f=20 you want to as a tool.) BULLSHIT - WHAT AR YOYU GOING TO SIGNAL THE BOAT WITH WHEN YOU GET SEPARATE= D=20 ABOVE WHERE YOU LOST YOUR BOTTOM TIMER????? OTHERWISE, IF YOU ARE GOING IN A=20 DARK PLACE, YOU NEED BACKUP LIGHTS. WE ALWAYS TAKE THE SAME RIG NO MATTER=20 WHAT . AS ABOVE, THERE ARE MORE REASONS FOR THIS THAN MEET THE EYE. Surface Signal Since the ocean can change so quickly one must be prepared in the event he i= s=20 swept away past the boat or surfaces away from the vessel. The easiest is t= o=20 use the lift bag (provided it is a bright contrasting color) as a signal. I=20 also bring a signaling mirror which I have seen save the day. A whistle also=20 helped locate three divers who were swept off the Monitor in 1995. These=20 items are relatively small yet provide a huge safety margin. WHY NOT TAKE YOUR BACKUP LIGHTS? SEE, THIS IS WHAT KILLS ME ABOUT YOU GUYS.=20 WHY NOT BRING YOUR CELL PHONE AND PUT IT IN YOUR CANISTER LIGHT SO YOU CAN=20 CALL A CAB? MOST OF YOU GUYS NEED A MIRROR TO TAKE A PISS ANYWAY, SO I GUESS=20 YOU CAN HAVE ONE.>> Ahmm, lets all do a quick experiment. Have someone take a 50w light and go=20 300-500 feet towards the sun so that you, acting as the searcher on a boat=20 are looking towards the sun. Now can you see the light well? Now have the=20 same person use a mirror and flash you. I think you will find that the mirro= r=20 works better then the light and has the added advantage of not needing=20 batteries. This is one reason why mirrors are part of pilot survival packs.=20 If you are worried about getting separated after dark, a strobe is much=20 better as it shows 360 degrees Vs a dive light that might show for 50=20 degrees. A strobe will also get a Coast Guard helicopter pilots attention=20 much better then a steady light. Now for whistles, come up to New England in July and August on a hot humid=20 day. I=92ll put you over the side in a 50=92 fog and see how well your light=20 works. Only a sound signal will work in a thick fog. That's why ships and=20 light houses have fog signals. Fogs can roll in on you within 15-20 minutes=20 so you may jump off the boat with a clear sky and come back to the surface i= n=20 a pea soup fog. Whistles may not be in the DIR hand book, but up here they=20 better be part of your equipment. Pete Johnson PS: using spell check would help may on this list -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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