Great tips, James! Our local river dives have pretty strong currents too. It’s a lot of fun to just go with the flow as long as you are prepared and keep it safe. Thanks for the video.
Hey there James, I love your content and agree with 99% of it. I'm always looking for ways to educate myself and be a better instructor/guide. I do like the information provided in this video except for one thing - you left your guide and went in the opposite direction. I understand your reason for doing so. However, this may lead other divers to do the same on their next drift dive. Not following your guide and their instructions could lead to tragedy. Recently in Cozumel, a very experienced diver went missing after he decided to not follow his guide's instructions to ascend and end the dive due to strong currents; he was never found. His wife followed the instructions and was fine. In Cozumel, currents change across the reef without notice and we must go against the current to be safe in some cases. I do state this in my briefings, but, as you know, many divers do not pay attention during briefings. Everyone should pay attention to the guide and follow directions in any circumstance. Deal with the bad choices of the guide later. Cheers!
Wow, interesting first drift dive in FL. I dove in the West Palm Beach area for 16 years and never had a DM do that. That charter service should have fired that DM. And the divers that followed him should have demanded their money back.
Most divers aren't experienced enough to push back on DM. James took him to school given his experience and higher credentials. Agree that his supervisor should take him to the woodshed.
Great video. Drift dives are great but planning is essential or things can go wrong very quickly as it’s often impossible to swim against the current in any meaningful manner. @Sailingandscuba
I went to Cozumel twice last year. First time I learned how to use a dsmb, and that helped me a lot on the 2nd time when I took my mum. She kept drifting off the wall into the blue and had trouble finning back, and one time she was too far out for the dive guide to assist, so I went out there and stuck with her. For a bit we were near the rest of the group but then they went off somewhere and we were alone. Wall ended, was drifting over sand. We ended the dive and went up with my dsmb. About 15 minutes later (after contacting other boats) our boat came to pick us up. So I would definitely recommend at least having a dsmb and knowing the name of your boat!
As a dive instructor guide in Cozumel, I understand strong currents. Good job staying close to your buddy and using your SMB. I would hope the guide gave a briefing that included the procedure for following the guide. One piece of advice - stay with your guide. In Cozumel, they may have up to 8 divers and they are there to lead the dive, they are not there to follow you. It can be quite dangerous to stay too far behind or go in the opposite direction of the guide. Cozumel currents can quickly and fiercely change, therefore, there are times you must go against the current.
I love drift dives! No swimming. Therefore lower air consumption. Longer distances travelled. More to see. I like to do it in a harbour. Only trick is, where to park the car. At the entry? Or at the exit? Halfway? 😆
On a Cayman trip we saw an inland DM who apparently had never dove in a current. He didn't listen to the dive briefing and took a student down current. She had enough sense to turn back. Everyone had to be recalled so the boat could go pick him up
While I haven't had to use mine yet a tip would be to get a reef hook and know how to use it especialy in case you need to maintain a stationary position you won't have to grab on to any marine life. Also a general awareness of how the current swirls around objects so you can duck out of it for a couple of minutes if you are trying to look at something or take a photo. I definitely agree a course is unnecessary but a thoughtful review of some of the basics like DSMB depoyment should be undertaken in addition to a good briefing.
Great video but the statement that drift dives always involves entering and exit at a different location I would like to nuance. :) In my local dive site we do drift dives where we enter and exit at the same location sometimes. We time it with the change of the tides and dive in Saltstraumen, the worlds stronger maelstrom. Its an epic dive would recomend it if you ever go to norway! Great channel and videos!
So how does this work when you have to inflate your smb? I had to put one up at the end of one of my last 40m speciality training dives. I had to focus on the depth, keep track of my buddy, make sure my equipment did not get tangled, that I did not get pulled up and swim against a strong current in not great visibility. Needless to say I went very far away from the boat (I did not realise you have to keep swimming against the current and not just at the start, stupid... I know ), but with an inflated smb. If I hear your advice shouldent the boat be in the direction so divers don't have to swim against the current?
About coming against current... Shore Dice Try scuba 2 and 3 with Pachi in Cozumel out of Tikila beach right near to the cruise terminal. So first dice was about 45 minutes with a shorty with 2000 psi. He wanted to be sure we were ok. Second dice he took us with the current in shallow and brought us back a bit deeper against. On our way back another DM signals him about time... I thought it was time or pressure. So I asked Pachi when we got out. He told me the same as James just mentioned. We had spent over an hour down and the guy was telling him that it was a long dive. They were taking them all out all in the deeper area that had more current sideways so u had to fight going out instead what he did bring us back with the strong current drifting sideways to maintain curse. By now we are Certified and doing DM. If anybody wants to try Cozumel I will recommend Pachi he was great and kept safety in mind unlike many others I've heard in Mexico Drift is fun and lazy but if too fast yeah miss things u only see in your buddy's camera later lol
Actually, I enjoy drift diving BACKWARDS. I drift with fins first, looking over my shoulder to see the reef. When I see something interesting coming up, I can simply start kicking a bit to slow and neutralize the current. That allows me to become stationary, relative to the bottom, and inspect whatever I found interesting and take pictures if so moved. When, I'm done, I stop kicking and allow the drift dive to resume. No need to keep turning around.
James, I gotta know. Where did you drift dive in Bonaire? East coast? Something in the north where you jumped in and came out elsewhere like Ladania's Leap? Or did you find some current in the south somewhere like Red Slave?
Wow can't believe I'm early, I always carry a DSMB. Better to be prepared, warns boats to your location plus it's a form of redundant buoyancy. Dive safe everyone!
We had an absolutely awesome drift dive in the Musandam, Oman. Descended down to 28m, followed a stunning wall with loads of wildlife, moderate (touching on strong at the end) current easing us along in the clear, warm waters. With minimal effort we stayed nicely between 1-2m away from the wall and only occasionally had to fin a bit not to get swept out and away. Two little caves and an arch provided some bonus scenery to a 55min “sit back and enjoy the ride” dive. The only tricky bit was maintaining our depth getting out of the current at our exit point in the khor where the boat was waiting. Ras Sarkan was such a great location for my nitrox certification.
Great video! Any suggestions on if you find yourself drifting much faster than your buddy or guide? I was in Cozumel a number of years ago and found myself moving faster than everyone else. The dive was hard to enjoy kicking and digging in to keep anyone in sight
Usually that can be remedied by adjusting depth and how far you are from structures/walls. Currents have layers and if you are hanging out in the *wrong* layer you may end up drifting faster than others in your party. Hope this helps.
Improve your buoyancy. Study buoyancy then practice, practice, practice - a course is not necessary but practice is vital. Weight yourself properly. Understand current - it is usually stronger closer to the surface. Not always, but usually.
worst drift dive i did was the niagara river, shore dive, 2 miles up from niagara falls. we parked cars at the entry point and at the exit point. my buddy dropped down and because the viz was so bad i lost him. in the middle of the river are speed boats. after 5 mins i got as close to shore as possible and found a place to exit. i climbed the hill found a road and hid my equip behind a shrub. in a wetsuit and boots hitchhiked, first time in 50 years, and got back to the exit point. fyi if you get ahead of the group drop down and stick a finger in the sand and wait or if absolutely necessary grab a rock and wait. as mentioned any drift dive essential equip is a dsmb
I did a drift dive from a boat in the Niagara in 2020 during covid. We ended up on the Canadian side when we reboarded the boat the RCMP patrol boat stopped us and hastled us for a bit. I often wondered how to navigate the river on a shore drift dive like how do you know when to come up to find your prestaged vehicle?
@@kevindavison6019 i know we park by the train bridge in fort erie on the cdn side. i'll ask the dive shop where we get out. i would never recommend the dive, there is way too much boat traffic on the surface usually in the middle. on the same dive a couple of divers surfaced in the middle and got a boat to tow them back to shore.
The red and white diving flag is an advertising flag. the blue and white alpha flag is the only internationally officially recognized flag for diver down.
Great tips, James! Our local river dives have pretty strong currents too. It’s a lot of fun to just go with the flow as long as you are prepared and keep it safe. Thanks for the video.
"What a loser" - you've been over there too long James! Or was that a carefully chosen phrasing after a long think before filming? ;)
Hey there James, I love your content and agree with 99% of it. I'm always looking for ways to educate myself and be a better instructor/guide. I do like the information provided in this video except for one thing - you left your guide and went in the opposite direction.
I understand your reason for doing so. However, this may lead other divers to do the same on their next drift dive. Not following your guide and their instructions could lead to tragedy. Recently in Cozumel, a very experienced diver went missing after he decided to not follow his guide's instructions to ascend and end the dive due to strong currents; he was never found. His wife followed the instructions and was fine.
In Cozumel, currents change across the reef without notice and we must go against the current to be safe in some cases. I do state this in my briefings, but, as you know, many divers do not pay attention during briefings. Everyone should pay attention to the guide and follow directions in any circumstance. Deal with the bad choices of the guide later. Cheers!
Wow, interesting first drift dive in FL. I dove in the West Palm Beach area for 16 years and never had a DM do that. That charter service should have fired that DM. And the divers that followed him should have demanded their money back.
Most divers aren't experienced enough to push back on DM. James took him to school given his experience and higher credentials. Agree that his supervisor should take him to the woodshed.
That is just another day at Rainbow Reef, then I guess you can still spin the wheel for a potential "free hug" 🙄
Great video. Drift dives are great but planning is essential or things can go wrong very quickly as it’s often impossible to swim against the current in any meaningful manner. @Sailingandscuba
I would add ALWAYS have an dsmb with you in case you get separated from the flag bearer in your group or if a boat severs the line on your flag.
I went to Cozumel twice last year. First time I learned how to use a dsmb, and that helped me a lot on the 2nd time when I took my mum. She kept drifting off the wall into the blue and had trouble finning back, and one time she was too far out for the dive guide to assist, so I went out there and stuck with her. For a bit we were near the rest of the group but then they went off somewhere and we were alone. Wall ended, was drifting over sand. We ended the dive and went up with my dsmb. About 15 minutes later (after contacting other boats) our boat came to pick us up. So I would definitely recommend at least having a dsmb and knowing the name of your boat!
As a dive instructor guide in Cozumel, I understand strong currents. Good job staying close to your buddy and using your SMB. I would hope the guide gave a briefing that included the procedure for following the guide. One piece of advice - stay with your guide. In Cozumel, they may have up to 8 divers and they are there to lead the dive, they are not there to follow you. It can be quite dangerous to stay too far behind or go in the opposite direction of the guide. Cozumel currents can quickly and fiercely change, therefore, there are times you must go against the current.
I love drift dives! No swimming. Therefore lower air consumption. Longer distances travelled. More to see. I like to do it in a harbour. Only trick is, where to park the car. At the entry? Or at the exit? Halfway? 😆
have 2 cars one at entry one at exit
On a Cayman trip we saw an inland DM who apparently had never dove in a current.
He didn't listen to the dive briefing and took a student down current. She had enough sense to turn back.
Everyone had to be recalled so the boat could go pick him up
James, where can i get one of those caps your wearing :) !
Coming soon to the dive locker store!
While I haven't had to use mine yet a tip would be to get a reef hook and know how to use it especialy in case you need to maintain a stationary position you won't have to grab on to any marine life. Also a general awareness of how the current swirls around objects so you can duck out of it for a couple of minutes if you are trying to look at something or take a photo. I definitely agree a course is unnecessary but a thoughtful review of some of the basics like DSMB depoyment should be undertaken in addition to a good briefing.
Great video but the statement that drift dives always involves entering and exit at a different location I would like to nuance. :) In my local dive site we do drift dives where we enter and exit at the same location sometimes. We time it with the change of the tides and dive in Saltstraumen, the worlds stronger maelstrom. Its an epic dive would recomend it if you ever go to norway!
Great channel and videos!
What abou the boat? Staff in the boat should follow bubbles under water?
where in south florida are you
Does that mean drift diving is with a launched SMB? Doesn't that create quite the drag?
Drag? No. You're going with the current, not against it.
That little snippet in the upper right hand corner has killed me 😂😂😂
So how does this work when you have to inflate your smb? I had to put one up at the end of one of my last 40m speciality training dives. I had to focus on the depth, keep track of my buddy, make sure my equipment did not get tangled, that I did not get pulled up and swim against a strong current in not great visibility. Needless to say I went very far away from the boat (I did not realise you have to keep swimming against the current and not just at the start, stupid... I know ), but with an inflated smb. If I hear your advice shouldent the boat be in the direction so divers don't have to swim against the current?
About coming against current... Shore Dice Try scuba 2 and 3 with Pachi in Cozumel out of Tikila beach right near to the cruise terminal. So first dice was about 45 minutes with a shorty with 2000 psi. He wanted to be sure we were ok. Second dice he took us with the current in shallow and brought us back a bit deeper against. On our way back another DM signals him about time... I thought it was time or pressure. So I asked Pachi when we got out. He told me the same as James just mentioned. We had spent over an hour down and the guy was telling him that it was a long dive. They were taking them all out all in the deeper area that had more current sideways so u had to fight going out instead what he did bring us back with the strong current drifting sideways to maintain curse.
By now we are Certified and doing DM. If anybody wants to try Cozumel I will recommend Pachi he was great and kept safety in mind unlike many others I've heard in Mexico
Drift is fun and lazy but if too fast yeah miss things u only see in your buddy's camera later lol
Actually, I enjoy drift diving BACKWARDS. I drift with fins first, looking over my shoulder to see the reef. When I see something interesting coming up, I can simply start kicking a bit to slow and neutralize the current. That allows me to become stationary, relative to the bottom, and inspect whatever I found interesting and take pictures if so moved. When, I'm done, I stop kicking and allow the drift dive to resume. No need to keep turning around.
Indeed, "What a Loser!!" And they also do DSD with empty tanks....
James, I gotta know. Where did you drift dive in Bonaire? East coast? Something in the north where you jumped in and came out elsewhere like Ladania's Leap? Or did you find some current in the south somewhere like Red Slave?
nice information was divng in the Maldives talk about current lol great diving though
Wow can't believe I'm early, I always carry a DSMB. Better to be prepared, warns boats to your location plus it's a form of redundant buoyancy. Dive safe everyone!
Good points... Will you have the hat w/ 4 points in your store? How can I get one?
We had an absolutely awesome drift dive in the Musandam, Oman. Descended down to 28m, followed a stunning wall with loads of wildlife, moderate (touching on strong at the end) current easing us along in the clear, warm waters. With minimal effort we stayed nicely between 1-2m away from the wall and only occasionally had to fin a bit not to get swept out and away. Two little caves and an arch provided some bonus scenery to a 55min “sit back and enjoy the ride” dive. The only tricky bit was maintaining our depth getting out of the current at our exit point in the khor where the boat was waiting. Ras Sarkan was such a great location for my nitrox certification.
love your baseball cap James, where can I get that?
Did 3 drift dives in Cozumel. Awesome!
👍😎🤿🇵🇭enjoyed again!
Great video! Any suggestions on if you find yourself drifting much faster than your buddy or guide? I was in Cozumel a number of years ago and found myself moving faster than everyone else. The dive was hard to enjoy kicking and digging in to keep anyone in sight
Usually that can be remedied by adjusting depth and how far you are from structures/walls. Currents have layers and if you are hanging out in the *wrong* layer you may end up drifting faster than others in your party. Hope this helps.
Improve your buoyancy. Study buoyancy then practice, practice, practice - a course is not necessary but practice is vital. Weight yourself properly. Understand current - it is usually stronger closer to the surface. Not always, but usually.
worst drift dive i did was the niagara river, shore dive, 2 miles up from niagara falls. we parked cars at the entry point and at the exit point. my buddy dropped down and because the viz was so bad i lost him. in the middle of the river are speed boats. after 5 mins i got as close to shore as possible and found a place to exit. i climbed the hill found a road and hid my equip behind a shrub. in a wetsuit and boots hitchhiked, first time in 50 years, and got back to the exit point.
fyi if you get ahead of the group drop down and stick a finger in the sand and wait or if absolutely necessary grab a rock and wait.
as mentioned any drift dive essential equip is a dsmb
I did a drift dive from a boat in the Niagara in 2020 during covid. We ended up on the Canadian side when we reboarded the boat the RCMP patrol boat stopped us and hastled us for a bit. I often wondered how to navigate the river on a shore drift dive like how do you know when to come up to find your prestaged vehicle?
@@kevindavison6019 i know we park by the train bridge in fort erie on the cdn side. i'll ask the dive shop where we get out. i would never recommend the dive, there is way too much boat traffic on the surface usually in the middle. on the same dive a couple of divers surfaced in the middle and got a boat to tow them back to shore.
@@kevindavison6019 this is what he sent for the niagara www.deansdiving.ca/assets/public/images/Files%20Dive%20Sites/Niagara%20River%20Dives.pdf
The red and white diving flag is an advertising flag. the blue and white alpha flag is the only internationally officially recognized flag for diver down.
Except a large number of boat operators don't have a clue what either one means anyway.
You're the best. Keep up the amazing work. Hope to book a dive through your company soon.
I don't like drift dives since it is not suitable for the kind of photography I like.