Avoiding and Escaping Scuba Down Currents

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Any experience with down currents? Spill it...

[@kazualdiver7969]

Ohhh yea, Canyons and Verde had some crazy currents! For me the worst down current I’ve experienced was in Raja Ampat. We were diving a reef that looked like a 45% slope. Gentle and calm until I noticed tiny bubbles just hovering and not raise, then those bubbles started to go downwards. Next thing we knew, it was like being in a river flowing down. It was a wickedly strong down current. We all stayed calm and followed the dive guide swimming and crawling (horizontally, not vertically) away from the down current to exit. The other group of divers with us in the same area, didn’t experience the down current at all. Scary at the time, but exciting to talk about it over a beer now. 😉

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

@@kazualdiver7969 Wow, that sounds intense! Thanks for taking the time to comment, Kazual

[@sonntagskind843]

I’m a instructor. One time I was with two older (65ish?) divers at a dive site where I did hundreds of dives before. Current was strong but okay, picked up during the dive. After 30 minutes I made my divers pause at a quiet spot for a little bit, but the current still got stronger. So I decided to cancel the dive. When we left the spot, we were caught in a strong down current. I held both of them on there bcds, we all kicked our hardest (but they were not very strong as they were not the youngest) and we went down from 18m to 35m within seconds. (We all were on nitrox 32 and around 35 minutes into the dive.) I inflated all of our bcds around 50%, still going down. Inflated mine fully, still going down. Only when I inflated all 3 bcds fully the current spit us out, but then we just popped to the surface as I was not able to deflate all 3 bcds quick enough and the two guests were no help. We all were okay, thankfully. I don’t think the other two realized how dangerous the situation was. Going down as well as going up. But I was never, before or after, so terrified in my live. There were moments when I was sure we would not make it. And for like 20 or 30 dives after this I had panic rising in my stomach when I felt that I was not 100% in control, maybe because divers were drifting off a little or deeper than I wanted them to be. I had to pinch my hand really hard and take a few deep breaths, telling myself everything was okay a few times within the next dives before I was totally fine under water again. And I still think about it and about if I could have handled the situation better. Maybe I should have canceled the dive sooner, should have stayed in the quiet spot longer (or shorter). Or should not have inflated the bcds as the current will not drag you down forever. But than, I know this dive site is 100m plus and there is now way knowing if the current will spit you out at 45m or at 75m and we were on nitrox after all.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Sonntags, thanks so much for posting this incident. Sharing situations like this was one of the reasons I started this channel. Posts like this from "civilians" and Pro divers are so valuable to the community. I hope your PTSD from that dive passes with time. I know a surprising number of divers that have had panic attacks underwater arising form a previous stressful event. I appreciate your contributions to future videos, I humbly hope you remain a contributor to this channel. -J

[@mpoisot]

Wow this is a scary topic. I see some commenters say to swim away from the wall (out into the blue), others say move sideways along the wall. How do you decide which way to go? I imagine I would be scared to kick out into the disorienting bottomless blue water, but if that's the "best" direction then it would be good to hammer that into my head now. But if moving sideways is sometimes or equally good, then why not always do that? How wide are these down currents? I think another thing stopping people from grabbing the wall is we're constantly told not to touch anything. In Cozumel the walls are 99% covered in living stuff, so if you're being blown uncontrollably and scramble for a handhold you're pretty much guaranteed to hurt something living. But if you're life is in danger then maybe that's the one time it's ok.

[@mpoisot]

I found a good thread on ScubaBoard. To answer my own question I think the best strategy, at least for a shear 1000+ ft wall like Santa Rosa in Cozumel is to swim away from the wall into "the blue". Thanks for making such a though provoking video. www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/what-to-do-in-a-down-welling-down-current.395903/

[@aqsah361]

What a helpful video for all the scuba divers! Watched it twice just to understand how to escape the down current. Good job

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you liked it!

[@nomiislamicproduction211]

Good to hear of your information.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks for watching!

[@OrenNoah]

Yep. I, too, have experienced those crazy currents in parts of Puerto Galera, including Canyons and Verde Island, not to mention "Washing Machine." Great way to learn how to deal with them. Don't panic. Don't fight. The current will always win a head-on encounter. Swimming away from the wall and into the blue was how I got out of the down currents, there and elsewhere. I also found that being streamlined was a huge help in currents. I was the only diver in my group that used a BP/W and I had far fewer problems with the currents than they did. It's no a coincidence that all the dive guides were also in BP/Ws.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Great comment, as always, Oren. You were in PG, too! Some great diving there, huh? Great advice for this thread. Thanks for the contribution.

[@agrowellservices7236]

Listening to one's ear is truly an amazing concept but hard to comprehend.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Many thanks! Great comment.

[@ডিজিটালযাযাবর]

Its really a great meaning full video. The way you explain its really outstanding. Please keep posting this kind video. Thank you very much.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

So nice of you

[@newexperience8143]

excellent video I love your naturalness and I love your videos

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thank you so much!

[@ilshanidilrukshi7023]

This video is very important.... love this video and nice introduction

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you think so!

[@julianasilva-fy3ss]

I liked so much this video. I'm learn English and learn some words and I can train my listening. Thank You

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

You're very welcome!

[@devclifford86]

Important episode, Jim. Most DDT divers will think of Mikomoto. But, one of the two scariest dives of my life occurred right in the bay at good old Ose. With the depth (and thus volume) of Suruga Bay, when the tide is running out, there's an intense downcurrent right there in Ose, where it drops deep. A very real "problem-solving opportunity" in what I thought was a very benign spot. I'd lay money on the proposition that some of the occasional "never surfaced" at Ose are the victims of these conditions.

[@devclifford86]

And just to be clear, when I say "Bay," I don't mean the slope out on the inside of the point. I mean straight out from the beach in front of Osekan.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

I remember this dive and retell that story every season (probably embellished and slightly unfactual by now). Great to hear from a legend like you, Dev! THanks for the comment.

[@mamudurashidat1227]

Whoa, interesting content on scuba diving. Never done this before but the ear signal is a really good one for me to learn as the first sign of pressure change so action can be taken.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Very kind of you to leave a comment!

[@huonglannguyen7669]

This video was interesting and helpful for me. The topic is so meaningful. Please make more videos. Thanks you very much.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

More to come!

[@diamondhands101]

i dont know how to swim or dive but this video is so informative ,thank you very much,

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you learn to swim someday.

[@tfnsansu1727]

intresting topic and nice video .Go on for more videos .

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Many many thanks

[@shinojps6999]

Thanks for sharing this video this is very informative everyone and very good presentation keep going

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

So nice of you

[@musicstudy9789]

This is really awesome and interesting, I love how he delivered the messages

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thank you.

[@luisantonioromansolarte9684]

What a good video, it keeps making more equal fun and interesting

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@jessieh.697]

I loved the introduction, and the whole video doesn't even speak, very good, congratulations on the work.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you liked it!

[@mreaymin7621]

Really helpful advices! Thank you sir for sharing the video.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@newcreationsbyfahmida9294]

This information helps me to my study growth.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks for the view and comment.

[@diveinstructordaniel1095]

Interesting topic 👍 I always wondered what to do. Now I’m a little bit smarter, thanks for that 😊

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Hey, thanks, Daniel. Appreciate you taking the time to comment and feedback. 👍

[@ArmyVeteranAJ]

Down currents can be nerve-wrecking for the experienced, and out-right scary for some. You can go from 50’ (15m) to 200’ (61m) before you even know what happened. You hit the nail there. Fill the BC, watch the gauge, grab something if able, breath... Launch an SMB, use it to stabilize and aid in ascent, get away from whatever formation might be the cause, breath... If you’re with a buddy, face each other, stay close, and coordinate ascent sequence together. Above all, remain as calm as humanly possible, and breath at a normal rate. Even if diving recreationally, if you get pushed deep, do not perform a “deep stop” (you shouldn’t ever anyway), ascend at a normal, slow, smooth ascent rate NFT the max safe rate, and if you have the air remaining when you get to your stop depth, stay deeper (20’ [6m] instead of 15’ [4.5m), and opt for the extra 5 minutes instead of 3, to give your faster tissues and mid-range tissues extra time to off-gas, just in case.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

So true. Our deepest diver in this case went all the way down to 40m!

[@ArmyVeteranAJ]

@@DiscoveryDiversTokyo This is EXACTLY one of many reasons why I wear gloves year-around. In the summer, I dive with mechanics gloves. I tell people all the time, I wear gloves even in the summer time NOT because my hands are cold, but for that one time when something drastic happens, and I NEED to grab hold of something, I don’t get cut up or injured. Check the video linked here... No one has gloves, and if you watch carefully, you can actually see real hesitation by people to use their hands to find a stabilizing hold. This directly results in them getting push further and further, and further down by the current. They COULD have prevented it, but refused to grab anything (obviously sharp rocks and coral will cut you wide open, I’ve been there before), and ended up being blown down the slope way more than they would have had they grabbed hold of a rock and held themselves in place. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJu2l5aBpbVpn7c

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

@UCopPElhfD%F0%9F%91%8DAyHymbN5F4C-0Q Thanks for the comment and link to the vid. In our case, we were in blue water, but this is great advice

[@marwaabu579]

The topic was really interesting good work

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Many thanks!

[@wonderworld4915]

I loved the introduction, and the whole video doesn't even speak, very good, congratulations on the work. super one

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Wow, thank you!

[@sabitaprajapati9158]

Really awesome and helpful video. Thanks.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@asmitatamang5107]

Thanks for your advice. This really helps me 😊

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fxdiary2206]

The video was very important for me I learned thank you bro

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad to hear that

[@paulaamaya8735]

This video is totally great, I really love everything that is mentioned in it, they deal with a very interesting topic for me, thank you very much for sharing it, keep it up!

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

You're so welcome!

[@Chartwala18]

This information very helpful to me and thank you for share a video.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@douglasljdunn]

Had several wall dives with down currents. Main thing is not to panic. If on a wall, fin laterally to the wall and along the wall, where the current will usually be less. Use your (gloved) hands if necessary to pull yourself along out of danger.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Great advice on physically dealing and getting back, Doug. A funny thing I often thing about in relation to non-panic. How do you train that...

[@kazimabusnaimeh7095]

Nice advices I am going to the sea later this month

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Many thanks! Have a great time.

[@ayushpatwa5830]

This video is very nice vedio... Iam impressive here...

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thank you so much 😀

[@scubasteveandunderwaterroc3547]

I have never had the chance to experience a down current. Interesting tip about the bubbles though!

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Hey Steve! Yeah, the bubbles can really go nutty; spinning around you, or just straight down. It's trippy for sure. Thanks for stopping in!

[@kobegaling2898]

This is really awesome and interesting, I love how he delivered the messages for us. Thank you for sharing this topic. I love this! Good job bro!

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leticiaevelyn9809]

very interesting video, I liked the content

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@hartmanstudios6994]

This is an amazing video

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thank you.

[@sbmillward]

Some great advice there Jim. I haven't experienced a down current. *Yet*. But I'm aware of their existence and they sound potentially TERRIFYING. Further question. If you're diving at wall or steep slope and you're hit by a strong down current, what should you do? Grab onto rocks (if there are rocks) and try to haul yourself up? Or hold your nerve and let the current take you, as we are advised to do with a rip current at the surface? PS. The first 6 seconds are priceless. "Going .... down?" :D

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks, Simon. Great Q...I'd always use hand-holds if there is something non-living I can grab. Just this last week, I was rock scrambling to get to my desired location. Best bet is to move laterally (90 degrees) to the direction of the flow to get out, and/or get behind cover if possible.

[@tabithadoyle7495]

I love this method

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Many thanks!

[@allready1256]

Grat job sir the video was verry importian.thank u.🙏🙏🙏

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

So nice of you

[@boshrabegum6085]

Interesting topic.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thank you.

[@abdullahalmasud6826]

Topic really good also interesting.like it.carry on bro

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thank you, I will

[@akiladew6889]

This video is great

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thank you.

[@malikalach1470]

Thanks for advice it was great !

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you liked it!

[@haitran-fp8sk]

A little useful information wishes you much health

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks for the view and comment.

[@carlaandreina5554]

I love its content, it helped me a lot new sub

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks for the sub!

[@yousrasspace807]

Interesting topic bro

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you liked it

[@abcdez2027]

Good job

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks

[@mdkabir1125]

Nice think to your. You more video making like this.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thank you, I will

[@tharindusamaradiwkara]

good content

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Many thanks.

[@Jaypro920]

Nice video

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks

[@linhlee1817]

Interesting

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thank you.

[@najisalm6371]

Nice 👍

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks for the visit

[@SaidulIslam-wb6ke]

nice

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks

[@pathimakumari2282]

It was great

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Glad you enjoyed.

[@demetriobarbosaromeujunior9230]

obrigado muito bom

[@clasherrk9093]

Great

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks for the view and comment.

[@tiendoan5149]

Launch an SMB, use it to stabilize and aid in ascent, get away from whatever formation might be the cause, breath...

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

You're so right, Tien. I meant to emphasize SMB more, but I blanked. Great comment.

[@mackenzydan9279]

I'm not an expert just with little experience. Stay calm, and assess the situation. Learn more about developing your situational awareness here. If the current is strong, or you’ve been carried a good distance already, don’t try to fight against it. Any current with a speed of even just a couple of knots are far stronger than a scuba diver can swim against.

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks for taking the time to post up the wise advice, Dan 👍

[@ashleyrosa1491]

Super sub you are discussed

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Many thanks!

[@markbundi9518]

The topic was really interesting but I hope not to find myself in that situation!😂

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Wise words. Many thanks!

[@giftoramadha6068]

Nice

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks

[@محمدالموسوي-س3ح]

جميل جدا

[@strange1274-x4h]

Good

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks

[@maxvalik737]

+++

[@MohammedMT]

Thanks for sharing this video this is very informative everyone and very good presentation keep going

[@DiscoveryDiversTokyo]

Thanks a lot