Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: techdiver

Message Display

George -

With all due respect, I wonder if we can't continue this conversation a bit
further.

One aspect where open water diving differs from cave diving is the
possibility of surfacing with an unconscious buddy far away from the boat or
land. In the LGS rescue course I took, we learned how to quickly strip the
unconscious diver of his/her gear and tow them in the do-si-do position back
to safety (while possibly applying rescue breathing).

In a cave and/or underwater, yes you can flip the BC over the unconscious
diver's head, but in open water, the best option is to get them to the
surface as quickly as possible in order to ascertain ABCs and proceed to
rescue breathing if necessary.

It's extremely difficult to strip a BC off  an unconscious diver if they
don't have quick-releases and/or they're wearing a dry suit. The standard
method (without quick-releases) is to "chicken wing" their hands through the
shoulder harness opening, but if they have dry glove cuffs on, this could be
problematic.

Could you give me examples where a quick release was more harm than help? I
haven't heard of a quick release failing in the field, but you undoubtedly
have more experience and would appreciate you sharing that with us.

Karen Nakamura

ps. nonabusive replies are always appreciated, as well.


> Flip it off over your head forward - same for doubles, same for
> anything, same for a regular BC, etc. Believe it or not, the basics
> still work in diving when the word "tech" is used, and in fact, are what
> keep you alive.
>
> A "quick release" on a harness is ridiculous. Not only is it a risk
> while diving, it impedes correct placement of the rest of the gear. We
> do not allow them on any dive gear used in any WKPP dives, if that tells
> you anything.
>
> Any unnecesary convolution or accommodation to one percieved problem
> while not considering the whole picture is an automatic reject.
--
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]