Posted by Bob3 on January 11, 2002 at 17:35:43:
In Reply to: Team diving: from a pig's POV posted by AADIVER on January 10, 2002 at 19:53:54:
Cave technique and equipment are NOT the answer to all types of diving.
Both equipment and procedures are task dependent and need to change to fit the circumstances.
Case in point: Public Safety Diving uses different gear and practices than cave diving. PSDing in a cave? interesting question, here's the text of an e-mail I received from the guys that do both at Jacob's Well:
Bob - For a long time we switched gear configurations between recreational,
technical-cave, and PSD. Changing regs, moving hoses, changing BC's etc.
We also found that it just doesn't work and is dangerous. We finally had to
bite the expensive bullet and buy three sets of gear for each of the three
diving functions. Recreational - Cave/Technical - and PSD. Each are as
different as apples, oranges, and bananas. We have one set for PSD, one set
for technical and cave, and one set for recreational. Using the wrong set
of gear to accomplish a task meant for a different configuration is
dangerous.
Our PSD gear seen here on this link below includes a FFM, bright orange Dry
suit, twin tanks, and a hand held live IR video camera feed to the surface.
The camera is EXCELLENT for documenting the underwater crime scene and is
usually in the left hand. Normally gloves are worn but not seen in the pic.
The dry suits have a dive rite "sweet pee" valve for an external condom type
catheter (always a must).
http://www.corridor.net/smartdivers/images/wrd18.jpg
In short, persons doing the preaching about there being only one way to do things are just displaying their lack of experience.
Might as well check out the San Marcos Area Recovery Team's website while you're at it: http://www.corridor.net/smartdivers/