Roll Off!

[TonyDCaver]

If this happens you just stop, reach back and open the valve. It's probably way easier then trying to breathe through a power inflator. just my 2 cents.

Jose

Hey I'd rather be safe then sorry. Keep in mind I am not a "DIR" diver but I do use some of their principles --- If one has a roll off and you hit your power inflator and you star flying into the ground before you can open your valve, your gonna make a mess

-Tony DC

[Line Squirrel]

For example if I was going through a real tight nasty area and I had already donated my long house and I have a roll off in which I cannot get to my left post, I can use the inflator hose to breathe off of until I'm on the other side.

If this happens you just stop, reach back and open the valve. It's probably way easier then trying to breathe through a power inflator. just my 2 cents.

Jose

He's talking about a passage that may too small to reach back....been there, but not in BM gear

[cavemark]

Werent the Sea Elite manifolds popular because they didnt require many turns on or off?

Good point. I just remembered that I recently dove with a guy who deliberately dove with his isolator only half open because it was quicker to isolate if there was a problem. He also had his valves part way closed for the same reason.

Everyone should be able to reach their valve(s) and be able to open/close them when needed. This even goes for OW divers. Many times people jump in with closed valves, half opened valves etc, etc.

LOL!! I just did that the other day at Peacock. I shut my valves off between dives and left the tanks on the bench by the stairs for a brief SI and forgot to turn them on before getting back in the water. I agree that everyone should be able to reach and operate every piece of their own equipment in an emergency. It should be practiced on a regular basis pain or no pain. But if reaching meant pain that would last for the rest of the dive, and I knew I could do it if I had to, then I would incorporate routine checks by my partner into the dive plan.

I also check all my valves after making contact with the ceiling, not that it ever happens of course.

I do too. I've also tried to establish a routine when I check my pressure. Reference line, check pressure, check left and right, check isolator, reference line.

When cave diving gets to be that dangerous, I'm quitting and taking up basket weaving.

My instructor says that some people are just better suited for bowling.

[atedeschi]

Hey I'd rather be safe then sorry. Keep in mind I am not a "DIR" diver but I do use some of their principles --- If one has a roll off and you hit your power inflator and you star flying into the ground before you can open your valve, your gonna make a mess

-Tony DC

You shouldnt be flying into the ground because you should be netural and if your descending you will notice quickly that the valve is off, because most caves i know of don't just drop straight down. Also you can always use your drysuit as a temp fix.

For example if I was going through a real tight nasty area and I had already donated my long house and I have a roll off in which I cannot get to my left post, I can use the inflator hose to breathe off of until I'm on the other side.

Have you tried this? I don't think it works to well, plus if you are in a restriction that small that long, i think you should be using sidemount. Also the reason for the hose routing was not for the breathing off the inflator but for hose routing w/ the regs the DIR Gods where using at the time. The breathing off the inflator was just an after thought excuse and this come from a good source thats has been around for awhile and dove with those guys when they started it.

[wingman]

The comment about the isolator half open/closed seems like a good idea, how many do this and what are the cons? ...also, at times just removing the isolator seems like a good idea as well but that discussion has been beat to death and it seems like a push to me.

[Scubastud16]

You shouldnt be flying into the ground because you should be netural and if your descending you will notice quickly that the valve is off, because most caves i know of don't just drop straight down. Also you can always use your drysuit as a temp fix.

While "flying" into the ground is probably a little exaggerated, if you're fairly close to the bottom, you get a little negative or start to descend and you go to aid air, 7-9 turns is a lot of time before you can then add air and keep yourself off the bottom. In a silty or senstive area, that could be bad news.

[atedeschi]

then use your drysuit and if you only need to open it to start adding air, so u can add air and open valve. also if you are in a small restriction that you can't reach your valve you are probably already on the floor and making the vis not so good.

[TonyDCaver]

I was speaking of two situations, not necessarily both combined. And what about those who don't dive dry?

To each their own. Dive safely.

[Serota]

If you think people aren't taking the opportunity to slam their tanks into the ceiling hence giving themselves the opportunity for a roll off, go look at the Parallel Lines passage at Ginnie. I was just there and the ceiling damage is astounding and continues even into the dead end passage that goes off to the left at the first T. There is fresh, white rock lying around all over the place, so much of this was done recently. I know this isn't anything new, but in some regards this is the worst I have seen.

[atedeschi]

I was speaking of two situations, not necessarily both combined. And what about those who don't dive dry?

To each their own. Dive safely.

then you should have some kind of redunant lift. So either a drysuit or dual bladder wing.