TWL: Re: What to use when going overboard??
From: "Bob Austin" thataway4@cox.net
Subject: TWL: What to use when going overboard??
To: ReidGantt@aol.com
Cc: 1trawler world trawler-world-list@samurai.com
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There are a number of physiological problems that occur at 6
feet as well as at 30 feet.
There can be psychological problems as well, I'm told. My own experience
with SCUBA diving is limited to a course I took at a summer camp in Lake
Michigan when I was a teenager. This was back in the days when double-hose
regulators were the norm, and single hose regulators were a relatively new
invention. So for all practical purposes, I have no SUBA experience. But
I have been told by people that do that diving under a boat can be a pretty
freaky experience if you're not used to it. The dark hull above you, the
fact that there is now something between you and the air up above, can
really rattle people, sometimes enough to panic them.
So if you've not had any diving experience it would seem to make sense to
get some controlled practice going under your boat with a snorkle,
free-diving, or whatever else. Start out in ideal conditions, preferably
with someone with experience to stand by or even go in the water with you.
What you don't want to do is get whatever hardware you need to dive, and
then have your first actual experience come when you have to clear a fouled
prop in choppy water or strong currents. The pressure of the situation
itself combined with the totally unfamiliar environment could lead to a
real disaster.
C. Marin Faure
GB36-403 "La Perouse"
Bellingham, WA
Very good advice. Diving is safe and easy for the most part. As long as the
person diving keeps his wits about him few problems arise. I prefer to see
a newbie dive his gear in a pool 1st. While in that pool, practice the
things that might really happen while working underwater such as dropping
your regulator, getting it tangled, or working with your head below the rest
of your body. Practice with your eyes closed too. Many coastal areas will
have 0 visibilty and this is a real problem for some. Best to have a mate
on deck while you are working to act as a safety officer. Diving 6 feet for
hull maintenance has few dangers due to the bends or embolisms, but be aware
that the 1st 32' is the largest percentage of atmospheric change (1 ATM).
Don't hold your breath!
Mike Cowan
Ex Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 & 2, USN
MV Sues Pool III
65 Hatteras LRC
There are a number of physiological problems that occur at 6
feet as well as at 30 feet.
There can be psychological problems as well, I'm told. My own experience
with SCUBA diving is limited to a course I took at a summer camp in Lake
Michigan when I was a teenager. This was back in the days when
double-hose
regulators were the norm, and single hose regulators were a relatively new
invention. So for all practical purposes, I have no SUBA experience. But
I have been told by people that do that diving under a boat can be a
pretty
freaky experience if you're not used to it. The dark hull above you, the
fact that there is now something between you and the air up above, can
really rattle people, sometimes enough to panic them.
So if you've not had any diving experience it would seem to make sense to
get some controlled practice going under your boat with a snorkle,
free-diving, or whatever else. Start out in ideal conditions, preferably
with someone with experience to stand by or even go in the water with you.
What you don't want to do is get whatever hardware you need to dive, and
then have your first actual experience come when you have to clear a
fouled
prop in choppy water or strong currents. The pressure of the situation
itself combined with the totally unfamiliar environment could lead to a
real disaster.
C. Marin Faure
GB36-403 "La Perouse"
Bellingham, WA
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One thing I need to mention. When you go overboard to
untangle rope or other stuff, remember that whatever
it is .. it tangled something below and can likely
tangle you as well! It would be a challenge with a
snorkel, not being able to swim well, fighting a
several knot current, untangling something and not
letting it grab hold of you as well. Ive been diving
for many years now, and had a few very close calls
while abalone diving (with no air). It can easily be
dangerous business with no air and I wouldnt recommend
a place for a non swimmer. Take an adult swimming
course at your local Y, then take one of the scuba
cert classes. Go in do laps, build your strenght and
as importantly, your confidence in being in the water.
Dan
37 Roughwater
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As a scuba instructor, I could tell a lot of war stories. Suffice it to say
that all my close calls happened on or near the surface. I consider diving
in a marina very hazardous. Not only are there entanglement hazards, but
there is a risk of exposure to hepatitis from your neighbor that doesn't
pump out. Yuck!
Also, be careful about the breath-hold diving. I have witnessed shallow
water blackout and it is pretty scary. In a nutshell, the human body's
craving for a breath comes from a buildup of carbon dioxide, not from being
low on oxygen. This is why it is easy to die from carbon monoxide
poisoning, by the way. Typically, a person will take several deep breaths
in order to 'blow off' the carbon dioxide in his system in order to fool the
body into reducing the craving for another breath. Then you focus on your
underwater task, trying to extend your bottom time. Oxygen drops below what
is needed to remain conscious, and the lights go out. Be careful down
there.
Todd Mains
Portland, OR
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-----Original Message-----
Todd Mains wrote:
As a scuba instructor, I I consider diving in a marina very hazardous. Not only
are there entanglement hazards, but
there is a risk of exposure to < snip>
REPLY
To that list of hazards I would like to add one more.
ELECTRICITY !!!!
Most marinas have one or more poorly wired boats which have improperly
wired appliances and which dump current into the water.
In addition, many marinas with floating docks run all the cables underneath
the dock structure.
There is a widespread belief that "outdoor grade" is equivalent to waterproof.
Not so!
Every insulation leaks a bit of current. Prolonged exposure ( immersion) will
degrade the wiring to a point where dangerous leakage current exist.
Should a swimmer or diver encounter such a leakage current, muscle spasm or
worse; cardiac arrest, will result.
Each year there are several drowning as a result of this.
Regards
Arild
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