Team diving - always??

[MATTBIN]

Not sure if this should be in DIR or Tek-Diving section, however going on from another thread which wandered off a bit (as they do) I seemed to pick up on two different philosophies.
1) DIR/GUE always plan to assist each other in a 'situation' in particular they plan for some lost gas on deep dives and ensure that between the team any individual who loses gas should be able to still do a proper deco by utilising the extra gas carried by the rest of the team. Equipment required for the dive is carried by the team and is a shared load i.e. no of smb's, spare masks etc.

2) Other divers/agencies and some trainers adopt the attitude that the individual diver plans the dive with his own gas and none for his buddy. in the event of the budyy losing gas for some reason its a sort of hard luck scenario.
No equipment share takes place, each diver carries his own requirements for smb and masks etc.

Have I got that correct??

Matt

[Conor]

I thought the rational for 2 was that each buddy could react independently such as in the case of seperation, but if the team are together the buddies rescources could be shared.


To clarify, it should encorporate gas for the buddy, but be focused on self-sufficiency

[neilh]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

Have I got that correct??
Matt

Not sure about other agencies, but certainly as far as GUE is concerned you have team resources and work as a team. If you get into trouble you can have anything of mine to help out (except my Salvo )

I'm not sure that other agencies teach a "don't share" approach, but I'd certainly think twice about diving with someone that wouldn't hand over or share any backup kit to get me out of a fix.

[Brian of Aquanauts]

DIR way is that each diver has enough gas for themselves and a team member should the dive abort at any time due to gas failure.

bri

[MATTBIN]

Originally Posted by neilh

I'm not sure that other agencies teach a "don't share" approach, but I'd certainly think twice about diving with someone that wouldn't hand over or share any backup kit to get me out of a fix.

That's my question though Neil, if the other agencies teach a gas plan based on the individual diver and not the diver+Buddy gas requirements e.g. for deco, then the buddy wouldnt have any back-up kit/gas to share.

Having said that Mark Powell has just posted up (on the other thread) the latest TDI philosophy which looks very similar to how I understand DIR to be structured i.e. as a team dive

Matt

[Janos]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

2) Other divers/agencies and some trainers adopt the attitude that the individual diver plans the dive with his own gas and none for his buddy. in the event of the budyy losing gas for some reason its a sort of hard luck scenario.
No equipment share takes place, each diver carries his own requirements for smb and masks etc.

This is sort of true. It will vary from diver to diver. In practice I will have enough gas to get me out a catestrophic failure at the worst point of the dive (ie just before the ascent), so once we're on our way up I'll have gas to spare. Once we're on our 6m stop I'll have oodles of gas to spare.

Janos

[Mark Powell]

Originally Posted by Mattbin

2) Other divers/agencies and some trainers adopt the attitude that the individual diver plans the dive with his own gas and none for his buddy. in the event of the budyy losing gas for some reason its a sort of hard luck scenario.
No equipment share takes place, each diver carries his own requirements for smb and masks etc.

I wouldn't agree with that at all. Team gas planning should always be considered. While shared equipment is not actively promoted I would have no problem with passing any of my backup kit to a buddy.

Originally Posted by Brian of Aquanauts

DIR way is that each diver has enough gas for themselves and a team member should the dive abort at any time due to gas failure.

I think that sums up the TDI/PSA/IANTD and ITDA way as well.

[Janos]

Originally Posted by Brian of Aquanauts

DIR way is that each diver has enough gas for themselves and a team member should the dive abort at any time due to gas failure.

I thought it was enough gas to get them and a team member to the next gas switch.

Janos

[JAG]

The TDI Advance Nitrox & Deco course advocates the need for self efficiency whilst working as a team, so if you do find yourself solo then you have the tools available to deal with it. Likewise with gas, work to the thirds rule for backgas and half for deco.

[John Touhig]

Originally Posted by JAG

The TDI Advance Nitrox & Deco course advocates the need for self efficiency whilst working as a team, so if you do find yourself solo then you have the tools available to deal with it. Likewise with gas, work to the thirds rule for backgas and half for deco.

This really sums up my understanding and approach. If I need it I take two, so I have my own backup should I need it. However as Mark has said if a team member needs something I wouldn't hesitate in giving them my spare.


John