Posted by Steve on July 17, 2001 at 14:03:19:
In Reply to: Self-Reliant Calif. Divers posted by Jim Hoffmann on July 17, 2001 at 12:45:48:
"A buoy or a float is a good piece of instructional equipment. It gives the student a place toswim to, it gives them a place to hung on to on the surface, and the descent line gives the student a way to stabilize the descent to equalize their ears( on the first few dives the student have very little buoyancy control, they need something). On later dives the students are able to descend without the line."
I agree and would add that equaling the mask and ears,control in descents and ascents are very critical in the first few dives because of potential barotrauma of the middle ear which could end your diving career before you start. Going down the anchor or mooring line will keep everyone together. Even technical divers descend and ascend the anchor line most of the time so why would it be an unusual thing to learn right from the get go.
Steve