a hypothetical for discussion

[alias]

I don't associate thumb with emergency per se, I would appreciate getting thumb-thumb-thumb to make it really clear you are in deep trouble to be honest. Thumb is just a higher gear that strips out all the extras off from exit and makes me more alert. Usually, with regular buddy we'd turn and a thumb-explanation would come very soon (eg I am cold/drysuit leaky). In most cases, could have as well twirled and explained but the thumb just established right away that no cameras are pulled out, no detouring, let's just head for the first stop and get out. I think the recent JB accident was a good example from buddy's perspective why it's good to know why to just obey the thumb in some cases.

I do not like having million different signs but I do like to be in the know if unexpected decisions are made, so thumb and twirly work. If there really was an emergency with thumb we get going with the right attitude right away.

[deepdiverbob]

The times that I have thumbed the dive, I have always given the thumb, then some explanation with another hand signal on why, just so my buddy knows the reason.

I would like to propose another scenario, along the same lines as the OP, but slightly different.

Lets say you are diving the distance tunnel in Orange Grove, and have an issue. On exiting back to the gold line, the double arrows point towards Challenge, but that line is not traveled near as much as the line to Olsen in the original scenario. Also, there is no alternative exit point like pot hole. Which way would you go?

I have done this dive a few times, but I will hold off on what we did in our pre-dive planning to cover this issue until other people throw out their ideas.

[BabyDuck]

in a well-traveled place like peacock, i'm off to the closest exit in an emergency (after confirmation with my buddy).

[DA Aquamaster]

Lets say you are diving the distance tunnel in Orange Grove, and have an issue. On exiting back to the gold line, the double arrows point towards Challenge, but that line is not traveled near as much as the line to Olsen in the original scenario. Also, there is no alternative exit point like pot hole. Which way would you go?

I have done this dive a few times, but I will hold off on what we did in our pre-dive planning to cover this issue until other people throw out their ideas.

In the case of the distance tunnel at OG, where if I recall, the jump is at about 900-950' with a total of about 1780' between OG and Challenge, there are a few things I'd consider.

1. Most of the flow (little as it is) is from distance tunnel to OG with not much flow between the distance tunnel and challenge,
2. the flow is out toward OG from the distance tunnel,
3. OG is the direction we came from so the line is verified,
4. the tunnel from the distance tunnel jump to OG is more frequently traveled, increasing the potential to encounter another team and their resources,
5. the tunnel in that direction is fairly large with no significantly low spots and basically no sharp bends to negotiate so it is a very direct and easy exit, and
6. getting out at Challenge would be really interesting.


So, I'd exit to the OG side as the line would be verified, it is probably faster, has more likely hood of bringing you into contact with another team and the differences in distances are minor and offset by the other factors.

[DA Aquamaster]

in a well-traveled place like peacock, i'm off to the closest exit in an emergency (after confirmation with my buddy).

Does this mean we'd have a discussion at the distance tunnel jump?

[Zinc]

3. OG is the direction we came from so the line is verified

Enough for me.