Drift diving

The drift diving, which is also called river diving and drift diving, scuba diving is a technique that allows you to dive in waters flow. The diver can thereby contribute to the flow and so experienced the feeling of flying underwater. Drift diving in rivers, streams and canals can be spectacular, but it is not without danger, which is why it should be carried out by experienced divers. In the sea, lakes and ponds, where the flow is caused by the tides, inflows, underwater topography, thermal in water, or differences in the salinity of the sea water, drift diving is often less dangerous and can also be experienced by beginners.

In the sea, lake or pond

The dive plan requires when drift diving more effort than other dives. In the sea or lake, a boat is advantageous that follows the divers on the water surface. Once the divers have reached the depth, blow on a buoy that allow them to rise to the surface. This entrained by the divers buoy can just follow the dive boat. If diving from a boat anchored boat or from the shore, the entry must be selected so that the dive against the current can be started. At the end of the dive, overexertion or excessive breathing gas consumption, because the flow is stronger than expected, the diver can then be returned drift with the current to the entry point. A dive from the ocean beach from should never be scheduled immediately after the start of the flood. There is a danger of being washed out into the open sea. As with any dive behavior in losing the buddy must be agreed especially when drift dive. Therefore dive boats often have a so-called flow line to water. Which is a buoy which is attached to one to several hundred meters long cable. Drift diving past the anchored boat, the chance is high that they adhere to the flow line and can be brought from a dinghy back to the dive boat. Each diver should be equipped with a compass and a signal generator. In some countries it is mandatory that the goods transported buoys carry a dive flag.

In rivers, streams or channels

Basically, the rules for drift diving in the sea or lake are also in rivers and streams. Depending on the depth and width of the water body, as well as the strength of the flow, additional rules may apply. If diving in a shallow river with or without an anchored boat, the dive against the current should be started when it allows the flow. Often the entry and exit point is not the same place as the diving against a strong current is impossible. In smaller rivers or streams may sometimes not be dipped in a buddy system. Then helpers can be stationed along the body of water in order to rescue a diver can. In whitewater safety lines are useful on or in the water. A backup team at the bottom of the dive site, which is secured to a rope can intercept divers who have driven past the agreed exit. The helper and backup team is often equipped with one or more litter bags. Due to the low visibility should never be immersed in places where there is white water ( dancing whitecaps ). Also dangerous rapids, swirl, rolls and washed away rocks may be, from which the diver can not extricate themselves. These should be umtaucht. Bounce walls may represent another danger. These are points at which the water is turned over to a rock wall and therefore from biting into the rock. Usually the flow of bounce walls is very strong.