Too many primaries at Devil's eye.

[Line Squirrel]

Thanks for the clarification Rich. I was wondering. Not to say I agree.

What was 'not an option (i.e. run a line every time, don't even think about 'safe exit' distance) has now become 'safe practice' that is taught. What is next? When there is high enough flow and you are back with 1/2 your gas, no need to run any line (any silting will clear up in minutes)? Let the flow push you out? How does a new student gauge what is a safe distance? Does the flow count and affect that distance?

But that is another thread.

Exactly. Now we have this grey area. Students need absolutes in some instances, this is one IMHO. They need experience in real situations, in the same cave under different conditions before they start making decisions like this.

[stairman]

Im sure all instructors would make you run a line to open water no matter what the circumstances.To me thats part of your training.

[Wizard]

Intro class, the Ear, a reel, and inexperience always means fun.
At least I had double 104's so gravity could assist. The single tank guys faired much worse.

[marsonk]

I don't think the ear is at a "Safe Exit" distance to divers who don't dive the system often. I know personally that I did not feel comfortable with out running a line for quite some time.

If people would run the lines properly and not cut off the entire gallery, there would not be any problems with multiple teams running lines through the ear or the eye. If people would take the time to add a couple extra placements or wraps we wouldn't be having these discussions on the Internet all the time.

[LCF]

You know, these discussions are really distressing. Because of them, when my husband and I head back to Ginnie at the end of the month, we've hired an instructor to work with us. Despite passing our Intro class with pretty much flying colors, we really just didn't GET much information about how to route line to keep it out of people's way.

Do any of you experienced divers ever gently talk to the folks who are using poor strategies running their line, and give them pointers on how to do it better? I'm almost too paranoid to try to dive in Florida without somebody else with us, for fear our line running will offend somebody. How do you learn how to do it better, if you don't know you made a mistake in the first place, and nobody says anything to you?

[Jim Wyatt]

Just so everyone's aware of this, NSS-CDS is the ONLY agency teaching this "safe exit" stuff, ...

IANTD teaches the "safe exit" stuff too.

[Jim Wyatt]

Despite passing our Intro class with pretty much flying colors, we really just didn't GET much information about how to route line to keep it out of people's way.

Too bad. perhaps you were told you passed with flying colors, but if you cannot run a reel properly, the flying colors part is questionable.

[RN]

You know, these discussions are really distressing. Because of them, when my husband and I head back to Ginnie at the end of the month, we've hired an instructor to work with us. Despite passing our Intro class with pretty much flying colors, we really just didn't GET much information about how to route line to keep it out of people's way.

Do any of you experienced divers ever gently talk to the folks who are using poor strategies running their line, and give them pointers on how to do it better? I'm almost too paranoid to try to dive in Florida without somebody else with us, for fear our line running will offend somebody. How do you learn how to do it better, if you don't know you made a mistake in the first place, and nobody says anything to you?

In our cave courses we spent a lot of time on land and under water learning how to run line and tuck it away properly. In fact, in cavern, we spent the better part of a couple dives just running line in OW. It's too bad you didn't get better instruction in that. However, just remember that you don't want the line just running straight across the passage and cutting it in half. Keep the line tucked off to the side or along the bottom. Even with several other reels in place, it may be a little more difficult to find tuck spots, but you should still be able to find something. Don't be afraid of it, just take it slower.

[Serota]

Could someone please define "Safe Exit".

[Line Squirrel]

Don't be afraid of it, just take it slower.

Ditto.

You're just getting started with the cave diving so naturally a good chunk of your bottom time is going to running a reel and running it well. Anybody can do it quick and sloppy.

Don't forget, #2 diver should be watching how your laying the line and helping out with placements and or wraps if needed, that's his job. Watching out for line traps is another job #2 needs to watch for.

After you tie into the mainline, stop and turn around, take a look at your work. If it's questionable, take the time to fix it.

Seems good reel work is becoming a lost art.

Don't forget the reason for running a primary, it literally is your life LINE to the surface. Running it well will help to assure someone will not get caught up in it possibly pulling it loose and it will still be there when you need it the most.