Goodman Handle - Yes or No

[newman_diver]

In discussion with some fellow cave divers the question of Goodman Handles came up. I used a handle on my cave course and they indicated that most instructors frown on the use of handles. The justification was that when handling reels and such, the movement of the light can be mistaken for signals.

I wanted to get an idea of what people think and their reasoning for it. Thanks.

Tyler

[Spun]

I have always used a GH when cave diving

I usually leave the light in my fixed hand when using spools and reel or I will clip it off.
When clipped off, the cord is tucked into my waistbelt by default causing the light to shine directly in front of me and lighting up my work

Works both in BM and SM

[BabyDuck]

your buddy should know you're reeling. signal confusion is minimal in real life.

what did the other guys suggest instead?

[TonyDCaver]

A Goodman handle or elastic handle is the most widely accept standard in cave country... I do not know what else they would suggest? Head mounted lights?

-Tony DC

[RN]

I've always used a goodman handle. I try to place it in the hand that's not handling the reel. However, even when I don't do this, the motion of the light is regular enough, and your team members should know that you're reeling out, so this should not be an issue.

[Scubastud16]

I was under the impression that lights mounted on GH's were the preferred light source for cave diving? As stated before, your buddy knows you're reeling out, and my light movement when reeling is minimal. If I wanted to make my "attention" known to my buddy it would be easy enough.

[Kaneo]

i use a GH when I dive but i hang the light around my neck when I reel. that way it hangs down so I can see what i am doing and my buddie is in front of me with his light

[newman_diver]

your buddy should know you're reeling. signal confusion is minimal in real life.

what did the other guys suggest instead?

They were holding the light in their hand and draping it around their neck when working. I never had any issues when using a GH but I wanted to make sure it hadn't become a "faux pas" of the cave community. Thanks so far to everyone for their input.

[BabyDuck]

i'm sure some folks drape, but i don't think it's a faux pas not to - yet! at least not like taking up more than one parking spot when peacock's busy or peeing on your buddy's feet! :D

[Arctic Mike]

I use the elastic type of goodman handle. Haven't had a problem yet.

[Tanked Monkey]

I use a fixed goodman handle. The same same hand as my reel. My other hand is doing important things like winding the drum or laying wraps & placements. I don't neck drape, just clip it off.

Mike

[Attchoum]

I dont use GH, I just dont like it.

I have the light head in my hand, holding it by the base of the cord. Whit my index finger I can change the focus of my light to look better for some formation. I can switch hand in faction of seconde if I need to.

In backmount I pass the light cord around my head when im reeling, anyway the reel will show you the way. some GUE will said that it will be in the way in a gas sharing, but it's not, try it. Having your light on your hand whit a GH you blind your buddy when you give im the regulator.

in sidemount, I put my light on my helmet. so conveniant.

At the end, what work for you work for you.

be safe

etienne
p.s. english is not my mother language, sorry for the mistake

[Kaneo]

i hold the light in my left hand and wear my computer on my right wrist. while scootering, i can look at my computer (which displays my air also) without stopping

[Slüdge]

I tried both hard and soft Goodman handles - didn't like either.

I have a suicide clip on my lighthead. I usually put my index finger in the clip, with the cord falling into my palm. If I need both hands, I put my pinkie through the clip and the rest of my hand is free.

I run a section of the light cord from the canister back down and up, under my waistbelt. When running a reel I pull the cord down as far as it will go, so that the lighthead is at my navel. In the horizontal position, this makes the light naturally shine right where I would be working on things, such as attaching the reel to the gold line. When holding the reel, I hold the lighthead in the groove of the reel's handle, the way we were taught in the 1990s.

[fixxervi6]

When reeling out a primary, I hang the light around my neck, then hold it with my left hand, so when I stop to wrap/whatever I let the light hang down to light up my work spot.

When reeling out jumps I keep my pimary in my hand with my reel using the goodman handle.

When reeling up I just reel it up, my buddy pays close enough attention on reel pulling and vise versa that we can tell the differnece between "Reeling flashes" and I need help, buddy awareness.

[stairman]

I prefer the elastic handle.When Im winding in I switch light to the left hand,otherwise I like it on the right.As you can see there is no real [right]way to do it.

[Scubastud16]

...snip
formation. I can switch hand in faction of seconde if I need to.

In backmount I pass the light cord around my head when im reeling, anyway the reel will show you the way. some GUE will said that it will be in the way in a gas sharing, but it's not, try it. Having your light on your hand whit a GH you blind your buddy when you give im the regulator.
snip...

Not to start a war here, but the light in your left hand/on your left hand in a GH would prevent this.

[TonyDCaver]

Right hand versus left hand light holding argument will go on forever. I'd recommend we not take that any further.

-Tony DC

[cavediver27]

I prefer an elastic handle. Right or left hand? Who gives a crap, do whatever works for you.

[stairman]

Right hand versus left hand light holding argument will go on forever. I'd recommend we not take that any further.

-Tony DCAgreed,and no one can make me change.I vent my wing with my left hand.But to each his own.

[LiteHedded]

Agreed,and no one can make me change.I vent my wing with my left hand.But to each his own.

me too :)