Check you out! - The Buddy Check

There are many preparations required before you go diving; get gas, pick a dive site, get a buddy, pack your gear, and buy post dive beer – all that important stuff. Today’s post I am focusing on one particular aspect; the buddy check.


Lately I have had the great pleasure of diving with quite a few different divers.

I know what most of you are thinking; “Poor I Are Diver … Wifebuddy has finally seen the light and left him. Although he’s so narcissistic, he practically brought it on himself…” 

In fact, this is not the case. I do still possess a Wifebuddy and we continue to dive together on a regular basis, i have simply managed to slip an extra dive in here and there with new buddies I have met over the interweb.


I are having a dive-affair.

My new buddy's configuration

To be honest, I think teh arrangement has suited Kerri just fine on those freezing cold, damp, dark evenings when I suggest I may go diving and get the look; “Really. Have a nice time. I presume you have a buddy?”



Anyway, the point being, I have encountered different divers, a lot of different kit, and varying gear configurations.



Wifebuddy and I dive a Hogarthian set up, in a GUE/DIR style configuration.

Our kit, despite being different brands, is pretty much identical. This makes the buddy check a little easier as we are very familiar where everything is and how it works, coupled with the fact I dive with Kerri every week.

 

The Hog thing works well for us; but i am far from averse to diving with others in different configurations. In a way it is beneficial for me to do just that, as it makes me pay more attention during the buddy check, keeping me on top of the system as a whole.



The buddy check was probably the first thing I learned when I started diving. My very first dive was a try dive in our local swimming pool, and even then I was 'spoon fed' the check system by the instructor.

Buddy check at my try dive

Every diver has their own personal buddy check, and as far as I am concerned; if you do one at all that makes you a very cool diver. I thought I would post the check that Wifebuddy and I use, and one that I prefer to go through when diving with new buddies.



I conducted my initial training with PADI, being taught the BWRAF (BCD, Weights, Releases, Air, Final Check) system and I have used it since I started diving.

As my diving progressed the checks evolved slightly, becoming a little more focused, a little faster and increasingly fluent.

When Wifebuddy and I undertook our TDI course, the instructor modified our buddy check in a few ways, to suit the slight changes in configuration, and added a few extra points.






To date I have found this to be the most effective, easiest to conduct, and most importantly REMEMBER!


It’s basically the BWRAF, but I thought I would run through our exact check, and explain what I do at each point.



I Are Diver Buddy Check


BUOYANCY

• Air in – press inflator button on corrugated hose
  
  
• Air Out – press deflator on corrugated hose
  
  
• Dump Valve left hip – locate and pull dump valve
  
  
• Dry suit connected – locate and depress inflator valve
  
  
• Dump valve fully open – locate shoulder dump and ensure it is fully open

WEIGHT

• Weight belt right hand release under my harness – physically tough weight belt ensuring it can be released with my right hand.

RELEASES

• Right hand release – locate waistband buckle and demonstrate where to pull to release harness.
  
  
• Knife on left side can be used to cut me out – touch knife.
  
  
• In an emergency cut me out, don’t forget to cut bungee round my neck and disconnect drysuit hose – I point to an area of my harness, which when cut, will result in it falling off. I also show where bungee is and point to drysuit hose.

AIR

• I have [state amount] bar of [state mix] and my computer is set to [confirm mix] – physically look at gauge and check my computer is set to the mix I have previously analysed.
  
  
• Main reg – breathe off primary regulator watching gauge for irregularities.
  
  
• Back up – breathe of back up watching gauge for irregularities.
  
  
• Smells ok and tastes ok – determined after I breathe off it.
  
  
• In an OOG emergency I will donate the reg from my mouth and deploy my long hose – I physically take the primary regulator and uncoil my hog looped long hose demonstrating it isn’t tangled.

FINAL CHECK

• My mask, fins are here – physically locate mask and fins
  
  
• I have [additional equipment] here – physically touch reels, smbs, spools, back up mask clipped off or grip pockets to make sure they are full.
  
  
• Do I look good? – ask buddy to take a look around me to make sure I’ve nothing weird sticking out, hoses aren’t caught anywhere and that everything looks fabulous.

• LET'S GO DIVING! - jump in!

When doing the check I like to let each diver take it in turn to go through each point.


i.e. I check my buoyancy equipment, then my buddy checks his, I then check my weight belt, my buddy checks his; and so on.

I admit, when reading through it seems a bit excessive, but in practice I can rattle through it rightly. I would like it to be a little faster, but i can't find a way of reducing the check without compromising the effectiveness.

Try it yourself, it just take a bit of getting used to.



The Buddy Check Killer


Personally, I really try and conduct this buddy check EVERY dive. In an ideal world that would be great, but we have all been on the cattle boat, in rough conditions, or we get lazy, or simply forget.


Being rushed is the buddy check killer.

I often feel under pressure when diving from a boat, probably as I don’t do it very often; shore diving is SO much easier to me!

As I sit on a rocking boat with a skipper shouting, “You need to get in right now, we’re going to miss slack water!” – All I care about is getting off the boat and into the water where the goodness is.


This is when I am most likely to rush my checks, or skip a proper check entirely.


It really pisses me off when I do it, I have no excuse. I honestly make a real effort to do the best buddy check I can, as often as I can.



What’s your buddy check? Do you ever skip it? Have I missed anything?

Surface Air Consumption (SAC) Rate Calculation - You suck!

Today’s post was supposed to be an exciting rendition of a (little) technical dive on a White Star Line ship wreck; unfortunately this isn’t the case.

The problem with diving in the sea is that it relies upon compliance of the weather. This weekend the weather chose to give me the middle finger, coupled with 8m swells, and so the great expedition was called off.

Very disappointing.



I was really looking forward to the dive and getting more tech experience; namely finding an acceptable method of donning a stage cylinder on a rolling boat, in addition to meeting some more fellow Irish tech divers.



I hate the way scuba involves the sea; so annoying.



Usually if this happens I would attempt to locate a buddy for the local wreck, and go diving anyway. Instead I took the hump; bought a box of beer, watched Season 1 of The Sopranos in its entirety, and ate lots of chips.

I appreciate there may be those of you thinking; “Thank Christ, no ludicrous ramblings this week,” but of course this is not the case, and I am glad to present a short post on Surface Air Consumption.



Surface Air Consumption (SAC) Rate


With the dive cancelled, I decided to log a few prior dives. I’ve slipped a little behind and was feeling a bit guilty; we all know the advantages of logging dives don’t we?



No? Click here immediately!



Anyway, when I log a dive I also calculate my SAC rate.



What is Surface Air Consumption?


“What’s a SAC rate?” I hear you cry; fear not – I shall enlighten you.

Surface Air Consumption is basically how much air a diver consumes on the surface, calculated in litres per minute, or cubic feet per minute depending if you’re from America or not.

(I’m not from America, so I’m working in litres and bar; sorry guys, but the principles are easily applied.)






For example; an average diver has a SAC rate of 25 litres per minute.





How to calculate Surface Air Consumption

The first step is to go diving; a square profile works best, but if your computer calculates average depth, all the better.



Monitor the following on the dive:

• Size of cylinder used
  
• Air pressure at start of dive
  
• Average depth of dive (if diving a square profile, max depth can create a fair approximation)
  
• Air pressure at end of dive
  
• Dive duration in minutes 

EXAMPLE

Diver takes a 10litre cylinder with 200bar for a 20m dive. The dive concludes after 20 minutes and surfaces with 80 bar in his cylinder.

• Litres of air used:

200bar – 80 bar = 120bar used on the dive
120bar x 10 litre cylinder = 1200 litres

• Average air used per minute

1200 litres / 20 minutes = 60 litres per minute at an average depth of 20m

• Compensate for depth

(Depth / 10) +1


(20m/10) + 1 = 3

• Therefore:

60 litres per minute / 3 = 20 litres per minute SAC rate



Easy, no?



Why calculate SAC rate?

I was in the dive shop one afternoon and I mentioned SAC in conversation. I received a look from another diver in the shop, along with the comment;

“Oh … you’re one of those divers…”

I don’t really know what one of “those divers” is, but, yes; yes I am.

SAC rate can be so easily calculated!

I calculate my SAC rate on every dive; I find it extremely useful.



If your SAC rate is elevated, it can help a diver determine factors during the dive that may have created discomfort, stress or exertion.



Knowing how much air a diver uses is also paramount in planning a dive.



EXAMPLE of my dive planning using SAC rate

My SAC rate is 15, the local wreck dive is 16m average depth, and I plan to finish the dive with 50 bar in my twin 7’s, currently filled to 230 bar. 

230 bar – 50 bar reserve = 180 bar useable gas
180 bar x 14 litres (twin 7l tanks) = 2520 litres


Air consumption at depth: (16m / 10) + 1 = 2.6 ATA
15 (SAC rate) x 2.6 = 39 (litres per minute at 16m)


2520 / 39 = 64 minutes



This figure can help determine if it is a decompression dive, or if I want to dive longer, consider a bigger twinset etc.



I also know that every 10 minutes I should be using 390 litres, which equals 30 bar (ish).


39 per min x 10 = 390 litres
390 litres / 14 litres (twin 7 tanks) = 27.85 bar


During the dive I can check if I am using my projected air consumption. If I am using more it may be an indication something is affecting the dive and alter the dive plan accordingly.



FACTORS THAT AFFECT SAC

• Size of the diver; smaller divers have smaller lungs, therefore a lower SAC
  
  
• Women generally have a lower SAC rate than men
  
  
• Smokers tend to have a higher SAC
  
  
• BMI. The larger diver requires more O2 than skinny folk, hence a higher SAC
  
  
• Healthy divers use less air
  
  
• How relaxed a diver is during the dive; stress or anxiety increases SAC
  
  
• Exertion; fining in strong current will make a diver out of breath and increase SAC
  
  
• Streamlining kit and reducing drag in the water can keep SAC down
  
  
• Flat trim also reduces drag and effects SAC
  
  
• Good buoyancy will help SAC, as a diver isn’t constantly inflating and deflating BCD and working to maintain depth
  
  
• Diving in cold conditions can increase SAC
  
  
• Badly maintained gear; any leaks, no matter how small, will have an effect on SAC as extra air is being used 

CONCLUSION


I love all things scuba, and I enjoy calculating my SAC rate as it is another aspect of the dive that continues, even after the underwater bit is over. 

I find it interesting to watch my personal SAC rate vary from dive to dive depending on the conditions. In Ireland it is usually 15 l/m on my local site. When I conducted a technical dive on a site I didn’t know it increased to 17 l/min.

I was able to determine the increase was due to the anxiety of diving a new site, diving with a new buddy, and falling from a rhib which I wasn’t entirely comfortable kitting up on.

As a result when I plan my technical dives I used a SAC rate higher than my usual, to compensate for any anxiety I may have on the day.



When I dive in warm water it can plummet to 12 l/m. This is because I’m in a single tank, wet suit, crystal clear water and not freezing my nads off.

Wifebuddy and I ARE DIVER enjoying low SAC rate in Sharm

• What’s your SAC rate? Include some details so we can compare scenarios. 

• For those who don’t know your SAC rate, do it next dive and post here with the result. 

It’s all part of the fun, and there’s no wrong answer!

Happy Valentine's Day - You're Dumped: The end of the Weight Belt

Happy Valentine's Day from I ARE DIVER

I don’t do Valentine’s Day.


It’s not that I believe it to be a “Hallmark Holiday” created by an evil conglomerate or anything, I just don’t bother.

Thankfully Wifebuddy isn’t a fan either, an added bonus to which I am truly grateful. I imagine this is because ‘one day’ dedicated to Kerri simply wouldn't be enough; and my whole life is a mere proclamation of ensuring her eternal happiness … or something.

To: Wifebuddy

I do remember making a Valentine card, once, for a lucky young gal when I was a wee boy. If I recall correctly, I spent all day in school crafting the romantic gesture and presented it to her at the bike shed on the way home, in a hopeful exchange for a quick snog.

Against all odds, I was rebuked. Since then I vowed never to pen my undeclared love again.



All this talk of Valentine’s Day and love ties in with my intended topic this week; my relationship with the weight belt. Like any relationship, my weight belt and I have had our ups and downs. It has gained a few pounds over the years, and between us, we have made an effort to get it ‘back on track.’

However, I am sad to say, I feel it is possibly time to close this chapter of my life, and dump it.



WEIGHTING

I have already discussed the process of weighting in this post, and I am content I know how much weight I require; I just can’t determine where to put it.



WEIGHTING OPTIONS

There are two options when weighting a scuba rig:

1. Ditchable Weight: This is lead that can be dropped at any stage of the dive. Ballast is secured on a weight belt, or in pockets that are integrated into a BCD or harness.


2. Non-Ditchable Weight: Often referred to as ‘fixed weight.’ This is the process of affixing ballast to the rig that cannot be removed during a dive. This is achieved with the use of weight pockets on tank bands, v-weights, or lead shot weight pouches.

V-Weight blocks

When I began diving I used a weight belt. It was horrible. When I purchased my first BCD I ensured it had integrated weight pouches. I found it to be quite an agreeable arrangement and dived that way for 2 years.

There came a point when I fell out with my BCD, and switched to a wing and backplate system. I won’t explain what happened, I think I should keep that for a separate post; always a fun discussion.

Subsequently my weight pouches were made redundant, and I reverted to the weight belt again. I have to confess I have ‘put up with it’ ever since, but never really reached that happy place most Valentines should.





So, as with any relationship I have been ‘weighing’ up my options. I’m sure my ex-girlfriends would be thrilled to know that was how our relationships came to a close, but that’s how it was; sorry ladies.



With my current twin 12 set up (that’s doubles, for you American folks, and GUE people) I use 4Kg of lead. I have a 2Kg tail weight and have the rest on a webbing belt.



I hate the belt.



I have a can light on one side of my harness, a knife on the other, and a suit inflate bottle tucked against the steel backplate. Once I don the weight belt I find my middle gets a bit cluttered, and can be uncomfortable when moving about, especially scaling a ladder or steps.

Can light and knife restrict weight belt

To be honest I put a lot of this discomfort down to being a small bloke. I’m skinny, and as a result, don’t appear to have the girth required to enjoy a weight belt to its full extent.


The solution is obvious: attach all the weight to the rig and dump my weight belt entirely, ending it’s tyranny of unhappiness forever. However, I must consider the ramifications of such an action before making any rash decisions.

WEIGHT BELT: PROS 

• Easily removable at any stage of the dive to create instant positive buoyancy
• The rig is lighter on the surface, as the lead is on the diver
• Easy to add or remove lead to offset water salinity or thermal protection etc.
• Weight belts are inexpensive

WEIGHT BELT: CONS

• Uncomfortable
• Risk of accidental loss when handing up to the boat
• Lead is relatively expensive and it’s upsetting to lose all in one go if you do drop it overboard
• Can migrate around the diver, and often need readjusting at depth
• Can be accidentally lost at depth leading to loss of buoyancy and a rapid ascent
• I have encountered many divers that arrive at a site quickly realising they've forgotten their weight belt; dive over before it began. 

FIXED WEIGHT: PROS

• Doesn’t need handed up to a boat, so can’t be dropped or lost
• Remains fixed at all time, migrating lead can affect trim
• Waist is completely free and the rig is more comfortable to wear
• You can’t forget it 

FIXED WEIGHT: CONS

• The rig is heavy, maybe too heavy
• Handing kit up to a boat may lead to you becoming rather unpopular as back injuries plague the dive club
• In a catastrophic failure of buoyancy devices a diver may be very negatively buoyant

CONCLUSION


There are valid arguments for both.


On my last dive I decided to dump my weight belt and dive with all fixed weight. Personally I found it a tremendous experience. The moment I donned my harness I just felt free.

I have no weight belt - joy to the world!

I fully appreciate the negative connotations of permanent ballast, but I feel the pros outweigh the cons.


I was instantly more comfortable. My harness just “felt” better; as if the system was in equilibrium with itself. I also found my manoeuvrability was much better. This was a big thing for me as the majority of my diving is done from the shore, and clambering around with blocks around my waist can be very restrictive.


I imagined I would be concerned about not being able to dump weight if I needed to, but this wasn’t the case when I thought it through.

My weighting is perfect, and the only real concern is at the beginning of the dive when I am heavy with gas. At that point I have just pre-checked all my gear in the buddy check, and it is unlikely both my wing and drysuit would fail simultaneously.

Also, my dry suit is fed from its own bottle, so even a catastrophic backgas failure wouldn’t affect the ability to inflate my drysuit.


As a final resort I could ditch my entire rig; if it gets to that stage of the game it’s a very bad day out anyway.



My only concern is handing my kit up to a boat.


Unfortunately I don’t have an answer for that. The only solution is to ask someone to hang onto my kit, while I climb aboard and finally haul it up myself. I guess I’ll be hitting the gym and pumping some iron; or maybe trade Kerri in for a body building buddy.

Wifebuddy v 2.0

Ultimately it’s down to the diver, and I think I’m going to dump my weight belt, on Valnetine’s Day; sorry luv.

you're dumped!

This has been heavily discussed on the I Are Diver facebook page, and a huge thanks to everyone who posted, as you fuelled this topic; particularly Matt, Rob and Gavlar for a plethora of valid points, which I hope I have covered here. 

A further consideration would be diving a wet suit. I think i would stomach a belt in such conditions; plus i must be on holiday somewhere warm if i'm diving wet, so i could put up with it for a week in the sun



What do the rest of you do? Any thoughts?

Who made you Judge Judy and Executioner? - The Trial of the Split Fin

I was discussing possible blog posts with Wifebuddy last night, over a rather splendid outing to an expensive restaurant, as we celebrated our 3rd year of marriage.

I know what you’re thinking ladies; ‘that’s one lucky gal!’ That, of course, would be an accurate assumption, and I have no doubt Kerri wakes up every day praising Buddha for blessing her with my eternal companionship.

I would also like to add, the reason my post is a late this week is because I was taking the little lady out for the night. I favoured dinner, as opposed to her observing me sitting in front of my laptop, a more formidable alternative for the evening’s celebrations.

I often run my blog ideas past Kerri; she undoubtedly provides me with a better approach or subject, which I considerably ignore and prattle on regardless. As they say, behind every great man is a greater woman; I am no exception.


On this occasion I decided to heed her advice.


I initial wanted to write a post about all the bits of scuba gear I really hate. Wifebuddy declared this a negative post, unhelpful, and unfair; as it was merely my opinion. She omitted my opinion is omnipotent, but she held a valid argument; as wives often do.



As a result I decided the only fair way to write this post was to pick one thing and put on trial.



The Trial



THE ACCUSED: The Split Fin

A scuba fin with a distinguishable “split” down the middle; often produced in obnoxious colours by a variety of manufacturers.


THE JUDGE: Judge Judy

The irrepressible Judge Judith Sheindlin holds the court; everyone knows there is no greater purveyor of justice and fairness, than a reality TV star.


THE PROSECUTOR: Jimmy Smits

I needed to draft in the best prosecuting attorney at law; and there is no better than the 1980’s judicial legend Jimmy Smits, aka ‘L.A Law’. Plus, only Jimmy could carry off a shiny, silver suit.


THE DEFENECE: Atticus Finch

In the order of fairness the state provided the noblest, courageous, most successful lawyer ever. If, ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird’ fame, Atticus Finch successfully defended a black man against an undeserved rape charge, in 1930’s deep South America; he can provide adequate defence for a fin.


THE WITNESS: I Are Diver

I have witnessed many things the split fin has done, and will provide a clear, concise, and honest portrayal of events.



THE PROSECUTION



Jimmy Smits: Your honour, in these proceedings I will prove to the court, the ‘Split Fin’ is guilty of many travesties in the scuba diving world.


The charges are:

• Destruction of reef property
• Disturbing the silt
• Attempted murder
• Speeding

I call my first witness; I Are Diver.

In your own words Mr Diver, please describe to the court your experience with the split fin.


I Are Diver: Well, I was diving my local site with a new buddy when the incidents in question occurred.

As we were completing our checks I noticed he was carrying a set of split fins. Of course, I was immediately concerned.

Atticus Finch: Objection your Honour; that is opinion not fact.

Judge Judy: Sustained.

I Are Diver: Sorry your Honour. I noticed the split fins and made a mental note. We proceeded with our dive.

Jimmy Smits: How soon into the dive did the charges against the defendant arise?

I Are Diver: Well, at first it was fine, and the dive went on like any other. It was once we reached the wreck I began to notice certain traits.

Jimmy Smits: Define “traits” please Mr. Diver.

I Are Diver: Well, my buddy was demonstrating the flutter kick, and I noticed the wash blowing pieces of sea weed from the hull. It wasn’t really a problem at that time, so we continued along the walkway of the wreck.

Once in the walkway I noticed the wash from the fin knocked an innocent starfish from the wall, and it landed upside down on the gangway floor.


Jimmy Smits: What did you do upon witnessing this barbaric display?

Atticus Finch: Objection!

Judge Judy: Sustained. Mr Smits, please rephrase the question.

Jimmy Smits: What action did you take Mr. Diver when the starfish fell?

I Are Diver: Like any good diver I picked it up and righted it on the floor, so it could continue its innocent existence.

Jimmy Smits: Was any other aquatic life harmed in any way?

I Are Diver: Yes. Nothing was safe. I witnessed many soft corals being subject to the extreme wash from the fin kicks.

Jimmy Smits: What happened next?

I Are Diver: As we progressed into a more silty area of the wreck, it really got scary. My buddy was leading, and with every down stroke of his flutter kick, silt billowed up in front of me, obscuring my vision almost entirely.

Jimmy Smits: Where you afraid?

I Are Diver: Oh, I was very scared. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t see my buddy in the silt out, and I was concerned he may have an issue and I couldn’t reach him. I was also worried that I could have developed a problem and I would be unable to signal for assistance.

Yes, it was a very scary time indeed.


Jimmy Smits: Did you complete the dive?

I Are Diver: Yes. Thankfully I know the wreck exceptionally well, and we had a solid plan, so I was able to predict the route my buddy would take.

Jimmy Smits: You’re a very good diver Mr. Diver.

I Are Diver: Yes I am. Thank you.

Jimmy Smits: What happened once you re-located your buddy?

I Are Diver: I caught up with him and we looked about the wreck a little more, experiencing further silt outs, ever increasing daunting moments of zero visibility, and further disruption to sea life. Thankfully I held it together.

Jimmy Smits: You’re a very good diver Mr. Diver.

I Are Diver: Yes I am. Thank you.

Finally we thumbed the dive and began to follow the line back to shore. All of a sudden, my buddy just took off! He gave two fin kicks and just left me behind. I tried everything, but couldn’t keep up. I merely ended up out of breath and tired.

I think he was trying to kill me with exertion.

Jimmy Smits: That sounds like a terrible ordeal.

I Are Diver: It really was. I think I’m lucky to be alive.

Jimmy Smits: The prosecution has clearly demonstrated that the split fin attacked the marine environment, silted up a shipwreck to zero visibility, thus endangering Mr. Diver and finally speeding away after the incidents described previous.


The prosecution rests.



THE DEFENCE


Atticus Finch: If it pleases the court I would like to introduce ‘exhibit A.’ Do you recognise this photograph Mr Diver?

EXHIBIT A

I Are Diver: Eh yes, it was on our honeymoon. I believe it was our wedding night.

Jimmy Smits: Objection your Honour; there is no evidence those are Mr Diver’s fins.

Judge Judy: Are they your fins Mr Diver? Remember you’re under oath.

I Are Diver: Eh … yes, the black fins are mine. But…

Atticus Finch: Can you tell the court precisely what fins they are?

I Are Diver: I, eh, can’t recall.

Atticus Finch: I want the TRUTH!

I Are Diver: You can’t handle the truth!!

…

…

Ok, I admit it. I had Oceanic V12 split fins. But I didn’t want them; my diving instructor used to own them … he MADE me buy them from him!

I didn’t know…

*sniff*

Atticus Finch: What became of the fins?

I Are Diver: I sold them on eBay, but I hardly made any profit…

Atticus Finch: So, not only do you admit to having such ‘dangerous’ fins, but you were content to pass them on to another diver?

Have you ever heard of corporate responsibility Mr Diver?

Jimmy Smits: Objection!

Atticus Finch: Withdrawn. Have you nothing to say Mr Diver?

I Are Diver: I… I didn’t know any better. I hadn’t been educated… I had no one to guide me. I’m sorry; do you think ebay user ilovescuba8769 is ok?

… how could I have known? … oh God… what have I done?



Judge Judy: Bailiff; get Mr Diver a tissue and escort him to Wifebuddy.



Atticus Finch: I believe I have proved to the court that IF the split fin is SO dangerous, as the charges suggest, how could a diver as ‘fabulous’ as I Are Diver have owned such an item, provided by a professional diving instructor no less, and subsequently sold them to a new diver for financial gain?



The facts speak for themselves.



The defence rests.



Verdict


Judge Judy: I have considered all the evidence before me and I firmly believe the split fin is GUILTY as charged.

• The wash created is ridiculous.
• A diver has no control when wearing them.
• Silt outs are dominant with split fin divers.
• Aquatic life is under constant threat while these weapons of mass destruction are available to the public.
• They are an overpriced solution to a problem that does not exist.

I hereby sentence that all Split Fins be thrown over the side of the dive boat to form an artificial reef.

Atticus Finch: Your Honour I appeal your decision! Let the masses have their say!



Calling all scuba divers – Should the Split Fin be sentenced to death?