Limited Visibility Diving
Limited Visibility Diving
• A great deal of diving occurs in limited
visibility.
• Limited visibility can make it difficult to
achieve the objectives of the dive.
Main Topics
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•
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Definition of limited visibility
Causes of limited visibility
Avoiding limited visibility
Techniques for diving in limited visibility
Learning Objectives
•
•
•
Define limited visibility
List at least three causes of limited
visibility
Describe at least four techniques which
should be employed during limited
visibility diving.
Defintion
•
Limited Visibility
– Less than 10 feet
Causes
•
lack of light
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Turbidity (particulate matter in water)
diver
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poor buoyancy stirs up bottom
brushing against kelp stirs up mid-water
wind
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creates waves
upwelling
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•
plankton blooms
tides
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•
stirs up bottom
currents
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disturbs sediment
runoff
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•
creates turbidity
pollution
–
creates turbidity
Avoidance
•
Select appropriate time and site
Techniques
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•
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Dive planning/pattern
Buddy techniques
Buoyancy control
Navigation
Dive lights
Descent/ascent lines
Tether lines
–
•
Site orientation
–
•
make sure it has a quick release
local knowledge
Minimum task loading
Main Topics
•
•
•
•
Definition of limited visibility
Causes of limited visibility
Avoiding limited visibility
Techniques for diving in limited visibility
Learning Objectives
•
•
•
Define limited visibility
List at least three causes of limited
visibility
Describe at least four techniques which
should be employed during limited
visibility diving.
Summary
• Proper planning along with strong dive
skills and appropriate techniques can
minimize the inconvenience of limited
visibility, and increase the likelihood of
achieving the dive objectives.