wreck reels

Vegas · 08-15-2007, 07:32 PM

Hi!
I saw a call out to make a little noise....

So I will ask my newbie question!

What can you tell me about wreck reels?
I am interested in learning about:
Uses? features? are there Lots of different kinds or some standard basics?
Please educate me!

thanks!

**MgicTwnger** · 08-15-2007, 08:30 PM

Here's a link from the New Jersey Scuba Diver site that explains it a lot better than I could:

http://njscuba.net/gear/eqpt_08_navi...aids.html#reel

**glynneco** · 08-15-2007, 10:38 PM

I love my wreck reel. Used it many times in lo vis to explore wrecks that others called. I've also used it, ahem, to do an ascent when I got blown off a line. Stopped as soon as realized I was not where I wanted to be. Wrapped the end on a piece of scap on the bottom ascended; did my safety stop; surfaced found myself on the wrong side of the boat but close enough to make the drag line at the back despite the current.

Dive in the ocean? You need a reel and a lift bag.

Vegas · 08-15-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glynneco

....

Dive in the ocean? You need a reel and a lift bag.

Yes, that's what I've been thinking.

Any suggestions on "type" (if there are different types?), features I should look for (anything to make life easier!), and about how much I might be looking at paying?

thanks!

Oh! and thank you for the Link MgicTwnger! I can't get through to it at work, but I will try when I get home tonight.

**glynneco** · 08-15-2007, 11:30 PM

Check out the web site MgicTwnger posted. I have, surprise, a dive rite Primary Classic w/250 ft of line, $99 when I bought, it and a 50lb orange lift bag about $75. 250 ft lets you explore in low vis and gets you up from the bottom, at rec depths, without giving up the reel.

If you get one,reel and bag, make sure you practice with the reel playing it out and , write this down, reeling it back up. Many folks come to the surface with a rats nest the first few times they use it(and even when experienced). The hours you spend detangling the line provide good time to think about where you went wrong. Also practice "shooting the bag" again you don't want to be doing this for the first time under stress! I've seen (OK had happen to me) had the reel with bag yanked out of my hand and go floating away because I had put too much air in the bag and didn't have a good grip.
Again practice this frequently till your comfortable and then do it some more. If you need to this and foul it up during an emergerncy not good! Besides it's fun. Make sure you tell people you're shooting a bag otherwise you might have overanxious resuce diver dans ALL fired up.

**MgicTwnger** · 08-16-2007, 12:36 AM

I shot a bag a few months ago, got the line around my foot, and gave the quarry owner and his staff a great show.

Vegas · 08-16-2007, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MgicTwnger

I shot a bag a few months ago, got the line around my foot, and gave the quarry owner and his staff a great show.

LOL! Are you guys, like, trying to scare me or something? LOL!

....just kidding......

I get it.... practice BEFORE the emergency (and it might not have to be an emergency).

I'd love to hear more stories though! you know, - for my education! LOL!

Vegas · 08-16-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glynneco

. . . . make sure you practice with the reel playing it out and , write this down, reeling it back up. . . ..

I was just e-mailing back and forth with my instructor (and friend),
we've got some mutual friends that are learning wreck diving from him - he says they'll be practicing with his reel this weekend on our Nitrox dives, and that both my buddy and I can try running it out about 40' & return, the goal of course, to do so without tangling it or kicking up a silt cloud.

I will let you all know on Monday how I manage.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!

(If we have a chance to practice shooting a bag, I will remember the "line around the leg" story, and beware!)

you guys are the best! I love this board!