The basics of a good configuration

Keeping an open mind about gear configuration Part 2

On our last blog we talked about Cavern and Intro-To-Cave diver's gear configuration. Today let's talk and review the cave diver configuration using double tanks.

The basics of the "Hogarth configuration"

William "Bill" Hogarth Main is a cave diving pioneer who is best known as a developer in the 1980s, and the namesake of, the "Hogarthian gear configuration" that is a component of the "Doing It Right" (DIR) holistic approach to scuba diving. According to Jarrod Jablonski, the Hogarthian style "has many minor variations, yet its focus asserts a policy of minimalism."^[1] The configuration was refined in the 1990s, partially through the Woodville Karst Plain Project (WKPP),^[2] established in 1985 and considered among the most aggressive cave diving initiatives in the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hogarth_Main

It has been taught in the IANTD Essentials there is still some minor variations based on preferences, and personal safety. As the world is made of different colors, taste and thoughts, it is important to keep a "thinking cave diver" instead of a "following cave diver" who uses techniques not based on his personal experiences and way of thinking.
What works works:
Let's not reinvent the wheel but consoled it if needed.

The main recommendations to a good gear configuration are:

- Redundancy

- Streamlining

- Accessibility

- Comfort
Let's see the differences between Recreational, Sport and cave diving (Technical diving configuration)

 The Author personal configuration:

- Low Pressure Doubles 85's gives me plenty of gas for most of my diving, an Aluminum plate with a "purist" harness mounted on a Dive-Rite Classic wing.

- Regulators Mk 25 Scubapro with S-600 and G-250 second stages for the easy fixing on the spot works very well in warm to temperate water temperature since I do not dive cold water much.

- First regulator on the right post connected with a long hose and a MP hose for my dry suit connection. Most of people will have the MP dry suit inflation on the left post.

- Second regulator with shorter hose attached with a bungee around my neck, with a MP hose connected to my wing inflator.

Advantages for me of MP Dry suit hose on the right:

- If one of the first stage fails, that would probably be the one I use most, the one with the long hose. (happens to me twice in 20 years of teaching) in that case if i must isolate that regulator, I will not lose my BCD but only my Drysuit. I like to be able to keep my buoyancy without having to disconnect hoses.

-If I have a roll-off cave diving, and I have developed a bad habit of not checking my left post enough, I should be able to see it, because I'am using my power inflator more than my dry suit inflator at depth.

- I like to use both regulator during the dive, specially on deep dive where my primary regulator would work better if I do not ask him to much. Breathing and adding gas in the wings may sometime be too much, even if today's regulators are pretty efficient at depht I follow the "Eggs principles". Do not put them all in the same basket.

Once again there is different ways of configuring the Equipment, as we can see on the Essentials video. The main idea is to know why we use a system instead of  of the other. This is one of the valuable way of thinking I have learned with my different cave mentors from the NACD, NSS/CDS and IANTD. what works for you may not work for me because humans are different in theirs habits and way of thinking.

Georges Gawinowski
WDT dive

The basics of a good foundation

Keeping an open mind about gear configuration Part 1

Cavern and Intro-to-Cave Primary Equipment 
The basics of a good foundation are inherent to the quality of the material or tools that are used in the building of that foundation. Gear configuration is one of the tools that will shape a cave diver career.

Gear configuration is an essential topic. This is basic for all cave training. Remember what we talked about on our last “Tips and Technique” column. 2013 Underwater Speleology The journal of the cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society NSS/CDS

 “Gear configuration is an important factor. Remember your training. Look around and ask other divers why they use a specific type of equipment or configuration. Be open-minded.”

We need the best possible tools to do the perfect job. If I visualize a cave diver in the 80’s the gear set was limited to the basics. The equipment is probably safer today but divers in the past paid more attention on what they had, and I am sure it was taking long hours to get the best on their gear configuration set up. Given the fact that gear donned was minimal, streamlining was commonly and easily achieved. So let’s go back to the minimum gear requirements for Cavern, Intro Cave and Cave Diving dives.

Practice in a pool or in a confined Water, with your equipment helps to understand it better. (see IANTD Essentials Recreational Scuba Diver video gear removal practice)

The main recommendations to a good gear configuration are:

Redundancy

Streamlining
Accessibility

Comfort

Cavern Diver Equipment

Steel Tanks 80s or 85s are recommended; the weight of the tank will minimize the weight on the belt, while maintaining slightly negative buoyancy at your safety decompression stop. These tanks are also easier to adjust on the diver’s body. If you choose aluminum tanks, you will have to position the weights forward of the body on your weight belt, for proper balance.

Valves

DIN valves are highly recommended, because they allow a better connection that reduces the risk of leaks.

BCD

It is a good practice today to use wings and harness such as Transpac from Dive Rite, or a standard aluminum back-plate with wings such as OMS, or Halcyon. The advantages are enormous: it is easier to attach the pressure gauge with large D-rings and you will have better horizontal position swimming underwater.

Regulators and Hoses

Well maintained regulators are fine, I would go with the main brands such as: Apex, Aqualung, Atomics, Dive Rite, Poseidon, Scubapro, and make sure that parts will be available when traveling. I will recommend a short hose with a back-up regulator attached with a bungee around the neck, and a 5‟ to 7‟ long hose wrapped also around the neck.

Gauges and Console

One SPG (Submersible Pressure Gauge) is a good idea. I suggest removing the plastic cover on the SPG itself that has a tendency to keep moisture in, even if it protects the SPG from shocks; it then becomes easier to see and control leaks.

Personally I do not like consoles. They are too bulky - even the smaller ones. Also, in case of an emergency, the diver needs both hands, so they can easily have access to control their depth and stop time. I strongly recommend wearing everything on the wrists.

Knifes and cutters

Cutting devices are very important pieces of equipment, small and located on the harness or waist strap. would recommend Z-knives, which are easier to use with one hand and they cut almost everything (monofilament, cave-line, nets, etc.)

The Intro-cave diver gear configuration

We would use the same basics but we will add and dual first and second stage as seen in picture.

Original Article was published in the Volume 40 Oct/Nov/Dec/ 2013 Underwater Speleology The journal of the cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society NSS/CDS

Georges Gawinowski

www.cavedivertraining.com

Rebreather check-list diver's responsibility!

We have already talked and shared opinions on Rebreather diver's check list, I believe this is something that we must emphasize and remind ourselves and people the importance of it. I still today see so many Rebreather divers rushing with the manufacturer checks and being complacent with their personal check. 

A Scuba diver has many responsibilities before jumping in the water. We know that one should be mentally and physically fit, and that the equipment should be set for the "mission". This is what we learned from our Technical diver  courses. It also means being able to use and reproduce the skills acquired; the rebreather diver's check list is one of them and part of the solution to reduce CCR divers complacency. 

We all know that an airliner pilot who has been flying for years keeps going over basic checklists before take off. So it is one of the main responsibilities for a CCR diver to follow the check list recommended by the manufacturer and by the diving agency.

The IANTD Essentials program work on 4 different control points:

1) Manufacturer's check list:

Even if it seems that some of the points mentioned on the manufacturer's check list are redundant, I trust the manufacturer, who knows the machine pretty well. There is a reason behind a check list. Let's just follow it! Megalodon manufacturer has made a detailed pre-dive and post-dive check list that helps the Megalodon diver to control and pinpoint issues before they happen underwater.

2) Agency check list:

Agencies like TDI, IANTD, PADI and probably others have developed a check list for their divers, it is a pedagogical tool that can help the diver detect changes after the manufacturer's check list has been completed. If we follow the agency philosophy and use their material, let's do it completely and use the tools created by professionals trainer who know student's mistakes and errors.

3) Personal check list.

Just before jumping in the water, I call it a "personal survival check list", every individual is different, and it is important to develop a personal muscular memory with one's unit by controlling our equipment on land. Recheck primary and secondary equipment, such as valve opening, manual O2 addition, automatic diluent valve open and functioning, safe partial pressure of oxygen in the loop, BCD inflate and deflate... 
It helps the diver to review his equipment and confirm that he has all what he needs for the dive.

4) In water-check.

Cave divers have been using these techniques for a long time. Check for leaks and others detectable problems that we can only be detected in the water. Bail-Out first and second stages regulators, primary and back up lights must be checked in the water, dive buddies must check for leaks tant can appear on tanks valves, first stages regulators, pressure gauges, hoses connections, dry-suit inflation. 

"In order to sustain training, divers must be able to “do something about something,” or remaining instrumental in their own lives. As divers we must realize that no one else can act on our behalf, and that no one can think for us, practice for us, or react for us. To help us develop a factually-based sense of instrumentality, we will start by devising an outline that draws on individual progress. Our plan of the first steps seems obvious- they are: reflection, motivation, planning, and training. However, the last step, repetition, is often set aside- to the diver’s detriment. Building an initial plan of action around the concepts mentioned above may serve to reduce accidents and increase diver safety". IANTD Essentials manual Georges Gawinowski

The rebreather diver responsibility is to eliminate problems related to their CCR unit through a methodic practice, and by setting a good example for the community.

Safe CCR diving

Georges Gawinowski
www.cavedivertraining.com

IANTD SE Training director.