Dive planning class -- How to judge tide/current/weather.

This forum is provided for the further edification of our club members seeking to improve their knowledge and diving skills. (recreational diving only)
Post Reply
User avatar
LadyGoDiver
Frequent Bubbler
Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:26 pm

Dive planning class -- How to judge tide/current/weather.

Post by LadyGoDiver »

We thought today that we'd like to take a class (or a series of classes) to help us learn more about planning dives. What is generally available and what resources to you suggest?

Thanks!
Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.
User avatar
BillZ
Aquanaut
Posts: 687
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:23 am

Re: Dive planning class -- How to judge tide/current/weather

Post by BillZ »

As far as overall dive planning - Bob's (greatfuldiver) advanced open water is a great place to start.

If you're looking to get in depth training on tides and currents - Mishi Carter's Tides and Currents Workshop is a great class.

http://www.pelagiascuba.com/pages/tidesclass.html
User avatar
Mortuus
Amphibian
Posts: 859
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2011 5:57 pm

Re: Dive planning class -- How to judge tide/current/weather

Post by Mortuus »

Take it site by site. Try planning a dive to a current sensitive site by using current tables, trip reports, etc. By simply doing this over and over again, you will probably start to piece together some of your own knowledge about it. I have never looked, but I am sure there are plenty of threads on here about how to plan for current.
User avatar
ljjames
I've Got Gills
Posts: 2725
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:46 pm

Re: Dive planning class -- How to judge tide/current/weather

Post by ljjames »

+ 1 for BillZ's answer...

Bob teaches a great Advanced class! (and you'll learn way more than current planning)
----
"I survived the Brittandrea Dorikulla, where's my T-shirt!"
User avatar
LCF
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5697
Joined: Tue May 30, 2006 5:05 pm

Re: Dive planning class -- How to judge tide/current/weather

Post by LCF »

Is Mishi still teaching that class?

LGD, take a look at the Bubbles Below last Friday workshops. I believe there is one coming up on tides and currents that has been very well received in the past.
"Sometimes, when your world is going sideways, the second best thing to everything working out right, is knowing you are loved..." ljjames
User avatar
YellowEye
I've Got Gills
Posts: 3234
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:08 am

Re: Dive planning class -- How to judge tide/current/weather

Post by YellowEye »

Hi
Here are a few other ideas:

Read _Shore Dives of the Pacific Northwest_ book -- great info in there.

Read the Wikipedia article on tides.

Check a tide/current website like http://www.planyourdive.com/ or http://www.dairiki.org/tides/ Browse it backwards and forwards thru the year and notice the patterns (in relation to the moon too)

Have an expert brief you and accompany you on the current-sensitive site you're considering (very useful for a place like Day Island, or Skyline)

Go on a boat dive and talk to the captain how s/he selects the time/location based on conditions. Wind and currents affect which side of an island or dive site you may do. You'll notice that sites away from the direct push of the tide or wind are more divable.

Check the Washington Marine forecast http://www.atmos.washington.edu/data/marine_report.html Also check the weather, don't dive in in fog.

Start very conservative. If in doubt, don't dive it! If you get into current, don't fight it. Usually you can hang on to rocks (be careful of the reef!), or swim perpendicular. And sometimes, it is better to simply drift than find yourself in a panic or fighting it. Bring a marker buoy and alert/whistle.

Also, if you find yourself in an updraft or downdraft on a wall, often you can move a little further along the wall to get out of that.
Visit pnwdiving.com for viz reports, slack planning, galleries and more!
Post Reply