Open Valve vs. "Inflator Hose over your head" Ascent technique?

[nefiii]

I couldn't find an answer to this question on the forum so here it goes...

What are your thoughts on performing an "open valve ascent" vs. a more standard "hold your inflator hose over your head and dump expanding BC air as needed" ascents?

I've heard compelling arguments either way...

In the open valve ascent, the diver holds the BC inflator hose just below shoulder level, but keeps the valve open, allowing expanding air to bubble out of the BC at it's own rate, allegedly allowing a constant bouyancy setting during the entire ascent, as opposed to what I do now, which is hold the inflator hose above my head and dump air periodically as I make my ascent, estimating how much to release.

Just wanting to hear from folks who know more than I do about all of this!

Thanks in advance guys and gals...

[Largo]

Realistically?

I weight properly. I don't add air to the BC after I descend. Ergo, I vent once in awhile on ascent , just in case there is some air back in there.

P.S. There's never any air back there. Not so far.

[CompuDude]

None of the above? I ascend horizontally and burp the rear dump valve as needed.

[Largo]

Compudude,
Why ascend horizontally? Are you trying to avoid being hit in the noggin' by some idiot in a boat who thinks it is funny to run his boat up against a dive flag float? Because I think that is discriminatory against idiots in boats.

[SynCitizen]

I'm still in the newbie stage and do the over the head thing. I will be working on compududes approach in the future.

..... and why is it that dive flags seem to attract PWC to come over close and investigate???

[Largo]

What is PWC?

[SynCitizen]

PWC = Personal Water Craft
Jet skis and such. At the local lake they see the flag and all but swarm around . Maybe they think its a racing pylon or something?

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Largo

Compudude,
Why ascend horizontally? Are you trying to avoid being hit in the noggin' by some idiot in a boat who thinks it is funny to run his boat up against a dive flag float? Because I think that is discriminatory against idiots in boats.

We don't generally dive in boat traffic zones here in SoCal. And you never see a dive float outside of a class. In situations like those, though, it makes sense to go vertical for the last 10' or so of the ascent.

Otherwise, horizontal is a better position to do pretty much everything from.

More info here: feet first decents or swim down? huh? (I posted #25) Ascents and descents are not that different, except you need to be a lot slower on the ascent.

[Duckydiver]

Personal Water Craft?

[Duckydiver]

sorry, man you guys are fast