Chapter 10- Diving Techniques and Deeper Diving Diving Techniques and Deeper Diving 231 and float. Stay within a 30 m (100 ft) radius of your flag, unless local laws require a lesser distance. Voice communication has long been possible underwater. You may actually speak underwater, either through your regulator or not, but most divers are not easily understood. Good vocal communications require an air space around your mouth. Commercial divers are able to speak with the surface personnel through the use of full face mask or helmet systems. These are expensive and involved, but there have been recent developments enabling sport divers to speak and be understood underwater. Several manufacturers have various devices which fit over the regulator second stage, either outfitted with a small electronic speaker or providing the communication via cables. Each buddy must wear one to achieve twoway communications. There is an apparatus available that allows a diver to be heard by several others nearby. Speech is transmitted through a small microphone to an external speaker usually attached to a diver’s cylinder. Another development in the communication field permits two-way conversation between the surface and divers underwater via cable. Wireless systems that permit diver-to-diver communications are also now available. Transmitters and receivers are attached to mask straps. EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS Some simple equipment modifications can improve your efficiency. A clip on your console can be snapped to your buoyancy compensator to keep your instruments streamlined and free from entanglement. Specially designed holders are available to secure your extra second stage in the center of your chest, readily accessible yet out of the way (figure 10-2). A lanyard or short length of line will secure your dive tables to your buoyancy compensator and prevent accidental loss. You can reduce the likelihood of entanglement by securing knives, lights (in a holster), and other instruments and locating them on the inside of arms or legs, in pockets in your suit, or on your buoyancy compensator waist strap. Never hang any piece of equipment (including cameras) around your neck. Anything dangling is an invitation for entanglement. Knives should be in good condition and capable of severing monofilament line. Mask strap ends may be turned inward or taped in place. Avoid the practice of hanging easily-opened spring clips on your buoyancy compensator or weight belt (they can unintentionally become clipped to lines). Attach nothing to your weight belt that is also attached to something else. This could prevent jettisoning your weights in an emergency. Most octopus regulators come complete with a hose longer than that of the primary second stage. If you U.S. Dive Flag International Diver “Alpha” Flag Recall Flag FIGURE 10-1. DIVE FLAGS FIGURE 10-2. AN “OCTOPUS” REGULATOR AT THE READY.
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