Light on the line

[cdavis]

We have recently started line diving in dark water. Now, I know that some of you folks dive in this type of stuff all the time, but for a clear water type who is accustomed to watching his buddy 20-30 meters below, it was pretty scary to watch the line disappear even though it was only 8 inches from my nose. It was one of those "instant death grip on the line" type of moments.

How do you handle this? lights on the line? lights mounted on your head? see in the dark? We could use some feed back from the experienced.

Thanks

Connor.

 

[pim]

1) use a lanyard to loose the

"instant death grip on the line" type of moments

because you know the line is always close (also for safety reasons necessary)
2) use mini light on mask like the Q40
3) use a bottom light (see picture)

That is what we do....OK, I don't use a mask light anymore but it gives comfort in the beginning.

 

[sanso]

I always find a flasher at the bottom end of the line a very nice thing. They're cheap and You can get them at any diving store. There's also a very small one from peli that I posted about recently, that's even cheaper but yet has to prove its worth.

Once You're used to the darkness - and You know You have a lanyard and will be able to find Your way back up - it can actually be quite soothing and calming. Try to enjoy it!

 

[cdavis]

Thanks for the input. I'm going to rig a light off my mask strap. The vis in this place is 3-5 meters, its just dark. A light should work fine. Sanso, you're right about it being soothing (after a while), but it is still pretty bizarre diving for me. Never used a lanyard, think I'd like to see somebody in action with one first.

Connor

 

[sanso]

... pretty bizarre diving for me. Never used a lanyard, think I'd like to see somebody in action with one first.

Hmm You don't have one then? In dark waters, You certainly should get one. Any sailing shop will (should [TM]) make You one for less than 20€. Search for the topic in the forums, there's loads of info around.

Once You have one, just play around with it. Go for some shallower dives to get used to it. It's a good thing.

Just two things to remember:
1. Gotta have a quick release. Practise that quick release so You can do it in Your sleep.
2. have a bottom plate or something to keep the carabiner from tangling in the knot/bottom weight.

 

[pim]

have a bottom plate or something to keep the carabiner from tangling in the knot/bottom weight.

a tennis ball will do that trick perfectly (check initial picture) :friday

Pim

 

[sanso]

a tennis ball will do that trick perfectly (check initial picture) :friday

Dahab-style would be the severed top half of a water bottle, but that's not perfect as some carabiners - like mine for example :head - are just the right size to lock into the carrying rim just below the cap.

 

[cdavis]

Sanso just pointed out why lanyards make me nervous. Great concept, but the devil is in the details of construction and in practice. We do very little line diving, even for 30 m + dives. Vis is such that you don't feel the need of it and our attention is directed more to what is around us rather than internally.

Dark water diving seems like another story and I'll be better off figuring out the lanyard thing. If we get much deeper in this place, there won't be any glimmer from the surface when we turn. For me that is totally bizarre.

Connor

 

[sanso]

Update on the bottle/carabiner issue: Using the bottom of a PE bottle works like a charm. Tried that out yesterday. Will supply picture if You want me to.

 

[rbsub]

Update on the bottle/carabiner issue: Using the bottom of a PE bottle works like a charm. Tried that out yesterday. Will supply picture if You want me to.

And don't forget that there should always be a quick release at the lanyard!

 

[sanso]

And don't forget that there should always be a quick release at the lanyard!

.. and that You can use that quick release in Your sleep. This should be practised so much that the brain can stay out the action completely - no thinking involved whatsoever - and it's just a matter of a functioning brain stem.

 

[samdive]

we always use lanyards, have a strobe at the bottom of each line and for deeper dives, have scuba support with lamps shining on the line.

A few people have also dived with mini Q lamps mounted on their mask strap but I found that really distracting.

Or - just dive with your eyes shut, which a lot of people do anyway! It's very relaxing and you have no idea how dark it is!

S

PS we sell lanyards if you don't fancy making your own Shopping with SaltFree