Entering the water without resurfacing

[texdiveguy]

As a 'solo diver' do you find yourself entering the water and not resurfacing as is typical with buddy diving?? Simply re-checking your gear and plan after the bubbles clear beginning your dive??

[cmburch]

I do not know what you mean.

Buddy diving we check each other out before entering water. We tend to check each other before submerging.

Solo check before entering water. Check again before submerging.

Diving from kayak check before submerging.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by cmburch

I do not know what you mean.

Buddy diving we check each other out before entering water. We tend to check each other before submerging.

Solo check before entering water. Check again before submerging.

Diving from kayak check before submerging.

Do you simply remain underwater after entering and head out on your dive or do you surface for a minute first?

[ReefHound]

Originally Posted by cmburch

I do not know what you mean.

Buddy diving we check each other out before entering water. We tend to check each other before submerging.

Solo check before entering water. Check again before submerging.

Diving from kayak check before submerging.

He means a hot drop - go in neutral or slightly negative and immediately start the dive. I have done that a few times when buddy diving, like in rough seas where we don't want to bob in the waves and get tossed around. We agree to meet 15' down the line.

What is the purpose in surfacing after entry other than to wait for your buddy to enter so you can descend together? Although some charter boats like you to signal Ok after entry which is hard to do from below the surface.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by ReefHound

He means a hot drop - go in neutral or slightly negative and immediately start the dive. I have done that a few times when buddy diving, like in rough seas where we don't want to bob in the waves and get tossed around. We agree to meet 15' down the line.

What is the purpose in surfacing after entry other than to wait for your buddy to enter so you can descend together? Although some charter boats like you to signal Ok after entry which is hard to do from below the surface.

Not sure the term hot or cold drop apply, but you got a ringer!!! It's so common to see divers in outr state bob back up for a few seconds then drop together. Seems like such a waste unless there is a reason to resurface. Reef I hope you and family are well and you have had a better year than I!

[comet24]

Not a solo diver per say but I have done in negative before. Really depends on conditions. Strong currents and I grabbing the granny line and pulling myself to the anchor line. Most of my dives seem to have some kind of current. Also I will usually meet a buddy about 15'-20' and go a quick check.

When I was on the Nekton a few years back I went in negative every dive and we just met on the bottom. But most of those dive where shallow. Even on the deep dives in the blue holes we would meet around the edge.

[RonFrank]

Seems like a cowboy move, and most OPs prefer divers signal OK at the surface. I see no point in this. If the boat is crowded, than the op has to track who intends to not resurface once in. If not most OPs still prefer to see you enter, surface, and then descend.

One such diver did exactly this with his air off, went in negative, and died at the bottom before his buddy could get to him. He was featured in "Lessons for life".

I see no purpose in doing this. If you are in current, you are either drift diving, or descending on a line. In the case of a line, it's generally on the surface, and in current one wants to hit a line or ball, and follow that down. When drift diving it matters little if the diver surfaces first and then goes down, they are drifting either way, and it is courtesy to make sure the DM on the boat sees that you are OK before descending.

Can anyone explain the rationale for doing this, other than the cool factor?

[Tekdivr]

I always go in negative. There's really no reason to piddle around at the surface, buddy diving or solo. During your descent you can go over your checks, and if something comes up, resurface.

[RonFrank]

The reason to *piddle around at the surface* is that is allows the boat crew to ensure that you got in the water OK, and that you are comfortable to start your dive.

Many boats don't give you the option, you enter the water, surface, signal the OK, and descend. They may deal with hundreds of different divers in a week, and they don't know if you are a newbie, or experienced.

[Largo]

This thread really shows how people's diving preferences affect their opinions.

Most of my diving is in shallow (35-50 normally, 75-100 feet occasionally), clear, warm seawater.

So, many precautions seem extranious to me. But, in rough, cold, deep water I would probably want; a pony bottle, a DiveAlert, etc.

Different Strokes, Different Folks, I guess.