Comparisons - Cave vs Wreck
| Author: Paul Gray - WHEN MOVING FROM CAVE TO WRECK |
|
My basic gear setup is the same for wrecks as it is for caves. The only couple of differences are the "accessories": -undergarments: Almost always wear my Weezle Extreme undergarments unless the water is really warm. In REALLY cold water, I wear my cave fleece AND my Weezle. -gloves:
almost always unless really warm -weighting:
If I am in salt water, with my extreme undergarments and diving double
72's, I need to add a few pounds of weight. I do this by using Dive-Rite
clipper pockets on my waist band, with 2 pounds of soft weights in each
pocket. If I am in 85's or 95's I don't need the weight/clipper pockets. -thigh pockets:
no jump/gap reels in right pocket, but instead I have a lift bag and
safety sausage. Primary reel in clipped on right waist "D"
ring behind light (same as caves) and my safety reel is in my right
pocket (as caves). Left pocket is the same with spare mask, tables and
wet notes. -surface sound signal:
I use the Dive Alert surface sound signal. It pops into the wing
inflator hose between the hose and the wing. Basically a (very loud) air
powered horn to signal the boat. -knife: in
addition to the "z" knife on my waist and small knife on my
wrist computer mount, I carry a larger knife in the knife pocket on my
right thigh pocket. I am a bit paranoid about entanglements on wrecks
and want a knife reachable from anywhere. -goody bag.
If I am after lobsters, I will hook a goody bag on my left waist
"D" ring. -ARGON bottle.
For cold water. clipped to back-plate on left side. The bottle has metal
clips, attached to bottle with line, so it can be cut free if necessary.
Argon inflator is connected to dry suit, and back gas inflator is
wrapped around argon inflator. This was I can switch to back gas if I
have an argon failure. -tank boots.
many boats will not let you on without boots! I haven't
put it together yet, but I am going to be adding a surface visual
signaling kit with a mirror, flares, dye marker and smoke flares (&
VHS radio, GPS receiver- just kidding!). I am going to put this in a
small light like canister, probably mounted on my left side like a
light. I think that's about it. I really try to keep all the basics exactly the same whether it is wreck or cave. |
| Author: Rich Courtney - WHEN MOVING FROM CAVE TO WRECK |
|
My gear
setup for wreck diving is exactly the same as for cave with a couple of
additions/exceptions The major
difference is that I attach a Dive Rite two zipper pocket upside down to
the bottom of my back plate. I run two steel “quick links” through
the drain holes on the pocket and then attach them to the holes in the
bottom of the back plate. I use zip ties to keep the links in the proper
position and stop them from digging into my back. Inside the bag, I
always have a safety sausage, mirror, and a whistle and can add stuff as
needed (cue cards etc). I have a 50lb Dive Rite lift bag rolled up and
tucked into the straps on the back of the pocket (where the webbing
should thread through if mounted on a harness). This idea came from a
Great Lakes diver who recently moved to VA Beach and it works extremely
well. I also lose the finger spools and move my safety reel off the rear
d ring and into my right thigh pocket. I also wear gloves when diving on wrecks and if diving a single Aluminum 80 (rare!) I add 2 Dive Rite quick release weight pockets to either side of my waist webbing with additional weight to offset the tank buoyancy. |
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