Comfort Level in Crappy (very low to no) Vis

[Squirrel Girl]

Please select the one answer that best fits your mindset in 2014.

[diveconjeff]

Lots of experience with tempered vis diving in the PNW before I started cave diving. (The only thing you can see is the word "Tempered" on the lens of your facemask"

[Sludge]

None of the answers work for me. After ~700 cave dives I don't freak out in very low vis, but I'm still not happy with it.

[Squirrel Girl]

None of the answers work for me. After ~700 cave dives I don't freak out in very low vis, but I'm still not happy with it.

I could think of a whole bunch of options. I decided to keep it to a limited number. Anyone is welcome to start another poll. Maybe others will post missing options and it will spur that new poll.

[Squirrel Girl]

You know, the ramifications of one's comfort level could be quite varied. Depending on the person, being a little uneasy in low/no vis may lead to a total freakout when they unexpectedly get in low vis. Alternately, it could keep their attention up and help them be careful. From the other end, it could be the best thing in the world to have a buddy like Jason who is very comfortable in the crap who will be your best buddy. Or it could mean you are overly complacent and you could be at risk to have a bad situation bite you in the butt. I can think of a few examples of that.

As I said elsewhere, I wanted to be more comfortable in bad vis and practiced to develop that ease (by going to the bad vis on purpose, not by stirring up a nice bottom). I can't say I love the bad vis, but I'm much more comfortable in it now.

[Danseur]

I'm with Slüdge...

(But more around an Abe Davis #)

[PfcAJ]

I think we all probably went through a lights out exit during class. That *should* be the time where you internalize that you don't need vision to get out of the cave. From that point, I believe its wise to 'test the theory' in situations close to the door with more experienced divers, gradually building confidence as one moves into more and more channeling situations. Imo, being 'uncomfortable' in no vis/no lights is bad news.

[FW]

I did most of my early OW diving in low viz freshwater lakes, and VERY tannic rivers, so low viz has never bothered me.

[bamafan]

My dive buddies must be pretty comfortable with it. They keep diving with me and let me lead.

[MORGAN]

I did most of my early OW diving in low viz freshwater lakes...

Me too. 20 feet of vis is a great day in a lot of lakes. I don't mind zero vis in a cave as long as my hand is on the line. However, given the option, I certainly prefer triple digit visibility.