Helmets

[Ben Harris]

<font color='#8D38C9'>Hi,

Just as a matter of interest,

whats your view, from a DIR point and all that, of helmets when diving and mounting lights.

Do the cave diving DIR people wear them or not?

Do they need to in big florida caves with good bouyancy and do they see them as a blinding hazard.

[Diving Dude]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Ben @ Oct. 06 2003,22:51)]Hi,

Just as a matter of interest,

whats your view, from a DIR point and all that, of helmets

They stop your hand sliding off the end.

Well with a title like that someone was going to say it.

[Ben Harris]

<font color='#8D38C9'>Asking for it!

[Dominic]

heheheh

Ahh... fond memories of posting the CDG article on techdiver..

[malcolm smith]

Hi, I have had some great cave dives in Florida and France and had no need of a helmet for lights or head protection.

I understand they are essential for any dry caving to get to the water in the 1st place, and for any dry caving required between flooded passages. If you are doing multi-sump dives and need a helmet for the dry bits, I guess you may as well wear it for the swimming bits as well, it's certainly a convenient way of carrying the helmet.

In the tourist type caves I have enjoyed, during the dives themselves, my head has been in no danger-----from the roof that is, those cave gremlins are sometimes there whispering in your ear though!!

Cheers, Malcolm.

[Andy the Coastie]

<font color='#0000FF'>

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]head protection.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]dry caving

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]flooded passages

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]multi-sump

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]tourist type caves

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]my head has been in no danger

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]cave gremlins

.

Hey guys,,,,,,,,,, nice subject,,,,, by the way, i've lost track on the topic .. was it about diving ?

ANdy

[Lanny]

Helmets are a definite no-no if you are diving DIR. &nbsp;As I understand it, the main reasons are as follows:

You cannot deploy your long hose properly from around your neck. &nbsp;The helmet will also interfere with stage hose routing.

You will blind your buddy when looking at him, especially when doing face to face ascents/gas sharing etc.

You can't give light signals properly.

They look bloody stupid (contrary to Rule #6).

Bob or one of the other cave qualified guys may have a more informed perspective.

Best,

Lanny

[Dominic]

Conversely, AIUI, the CDG says:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]You cannot deploy your long hose properly from around your neck. &nbsp;The helmet will also interfere with stage hose routing.

Don't use a long hose. Solo diving in sidemounts in sumps et al

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]You will blind your buddy when looking at him, especially when doing face to face ascents/gas sharing etc.

Don't take a buddy

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]You can't give light signals properly.

Don't give signals - you don't have a buddy

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]They look bloody stupid (contrary to Rule #6)

Don't worry how you look if nobody can see you in the two millimeter vis

If aquanaut still has all the techdiver archives, go take a look at all the flames that were encountered when this page got posted to it - it was a fairly comprehensive DIR vs CDG type of discussion..

[Gavin Yates]

<font color='#000F22'>Ben uses a helmet with torches on and he's never blinded me. If he did I'd blind him back !! The secret is to aim the light off centre.

He doesn't use a hog loop but stuffs the long hose only using hog loop to restow.

It doesn't alter stage hose routing cos he doesn't use a waist mounted cannister but attaches to cylinders.

He does give great signals - I'll often swipe an OK with the torch just to see him roll his little head round again and again ... great sport.

It might not be DIR but it works for him and me who uses a DIR rig.

The fact remains he does look like a complete arse and watching him tryimg to adjust his mask after he's got it on should be a spectator event.

[Bob Cooper]

Not wanting to get into a CDG/DIR debate over helmets.......

DIR works in all situations, diving caves, wrecks, open water etc. &nbsp;I agree UK sumps are a completely different matter though. &nbsp;I don't dive UK sumps and neither do most of us.

The only difference in &quot;kit&quot; for my UK wreck dives and my cave diving is what I carry in my pockets, everything else is identical (except for gloves).

The helmet issue is the same as the FFM issue, the RB issue and the pony bottle issue. &nbsp;You need to weigh up the advantages with the disadvantages and then make a decision.

As I see it, the disadvantages of a helmet with lights are as follows:
1. blinding buddy
2. long hose deployment
3. looking like a p**tt
4. etc. etc.

Advantages

I can't think of any......!

There are many accomplished cave divers who use helmets and helmet mounted lights, but they are generally diving solo, and as you know..........we don't do that. &nbsp;Our choice, our &quot;standards&quot;, our procedures!

So there..........!

Bob