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#1: TIPS OF THE TRADE Author: chris, Location: leixlip, kildare, ireland

Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:12 am
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Hi All

I was looking up another diver's boards when I came across a thread where folk were volunteering tips from their own dive philosophy. Most of them are pretty good so I have reprinted them below for the betterment of my fellow divers ( enabling me to look all altruistic like by stealing other peoples ideas Rolling Eyes

)

If you have any gems yourself please add them on !

Here goes....

Be there early

Set your kit up and check it the day before.

Always take your toolbox. The day you forget it is the day you'll need it.

Kit up early. Better to sit there and relax for 10 mins than struggle into your kit.

Pack your kit in "bundles" ready to go so you only have to transfer 5 "bundles" rather than lots of little things to forget.

Always, even on the shallowest of dives, do a "sanity check" i.e before you jump in Can I breathe? Can I see? Can I fin? Can I float? Can I sink? A simple self-buddy check works wonders for this and soon becomes second nature.

Tidy up your stuff after the dive so the next divers aboard don't have an obstacle course to negotiate.

No matter how complacent you allow yourself to become, always check that your gas is on. This means YOU, not your buddy. In the water, as long as you have gas to breath everything else can be sorted out.

If a piece of equipment is essential you really need 2 of it ( ever try doing a controlled ascent from 30mtrs without a mask ?)

Don't fill your kit bag with a load of sh*t. Makes it easier to spot if something is missing when you pack it and when it is empty it should mean you have all your kit on.

Develop a routine when kitting up and stick to it, be aware that new kit may alter that routine so double check things.

When diving new kit, only try one new thing at a time, however insignificant.

Take a min or so to just clear your head and imagine the dive before getting into the water, it helps calm pre-dive nerves quite a bit and can bring to mind overlooked items of kit.

Have a slash before zipping up ( uber important this one yet not taught by most agencies )

Never be afraid to ask for help.

Don't stand there and watch someone struggle, help them, they may be too silly to ask.

Secure stages when going to and from site, a happy reg is one that hasn't had the sh1t knocked out of it !

Hydrate properly, this goes for the night before as well as on the way out to site.

A "fire bucket chain" is by far the fastest and most efficient way of getting kit off a boat. Get everything off down the chain then the last thing you do is get into your bcd take - these off individually (too heavy to pass properly). Taking bits off individually, carrying a bag off one at a time, means having to wait for each other, walk round each other and you get in everyone's way.

Always shake your reg before putting it in your mouth. . . spiders don't taste that nice to be honest!!

Whenever both straps of your bcd are over your shoulders you have effectively attached a portable anchor to your back so put air in the sucker and the reg in your mouth - even if only standing in one foot of water - you can't expect the coronor to do a good job doubled up with laughter !

#2: Re: TIPS OF THE TRADE Author: Dragstar, Location: carrickmacross

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:09 am
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Good stuff !!!

#3: Re: TIPS OF THE TRADE Author: diverdown, Location: Dublin, Ireland

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:51 pm
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Good advice Chris. Some very obvious tips there but how often have we and others been guilty of at least some of the errors mentioned?! You can't beat a good checklist (even if it's just a mental one). Idea

#4: Re: TIPS OF THE TRADE Author: wreckferret, Location: Belfast

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 5:10 pm
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Always check out other peoples gear - they may have found / invented a new way to stow gear.

On a hard boat:
Bring bungees for strapping your gear down
Climbing rope - useful for lowering your gear into the boat
Plastic gear gulpper for storing gear & if bottles/feet stand on box nothing gets broken.
Bring a book / magazine - for long journeys

On a RIB etc:
Stow gauges , regs etc in BC pockets - better protection
Bring bungee`s for stowing gear

MARK ALL LIFT BAGS WITH YOUR NAME AND ATTACH A STRONG LIFTING HANDLE.

ONE LAST THING - DURING THE DIVE :
IF THE SHIT HITS THE FAN, STOP, TALK TO YOURSELF AND DON`T PANIC

#5: Re: TIPS OF THE TRADE Author: chris, Location: leixlip, kildare, ireland

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:27 pm
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Dave

I really like that tip about stowing regs in bcd pockets.

and I thoroughly endorse the advice to just STOP when something goes wrong. If you don't give yourself a moment to think any action you take is as likely, and possibly more so, to make a bad situation worse.

Good ones.

Chris

#6: Re: TIPS OF THE TRADE Author: diverdown, Location: Dublin, Ireland

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:11 am
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Good advice Dave. I've got into the habit of marking everything that's mine with my name. That way, if someone else has an identical piece of kit, there's no ambiguity. James. Question

#7: Re: TIPS OF THE TRADE Author: chris, Location: leixlip, kildare, ireland

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:23 am
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diverdown wrote:

Good advice Dave. I've got into the habit of marking everything that's mine with my name. That way, if someone else has an identical piece of kit, there's no ambiguity. James. Question

James

I was wondering why I was finding 'JL' scribbled all over my best bits of kit Shocked

Chris

#8: Re: TIPS OF THE TRADE Author: wreckferret, Location: Belfast

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:52 pm
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Chris,
My kit is like that as well, random initials on everything.............. Very Happy

#9: Re: TIPS OF THE TRADE Author: diverdown, Location: Dublin, Ireland

Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:11 am
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Aha! So that's where my missing kit is. I'm bringing my Inspector Clueso Special Optic Magnifying Glass (the one with the sense of smell) on our next dive outing Chris. And if I find anything incriminating in your bag.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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