| On the ITC with Richard Lundgren I was running a dive, did a pocket check and discovered that all 5 divers had various items in various pockets, and no one could remember where anyone else's stuff was. I then asked everyone to move stuff around so we were all similar which met with a bit of opposition as noone wanted to change their pockets from what they were used to.
I am sure that pockets had been discussed before, and was a constant problem with no one really wanting to lay down any rules, but it does create a genuine issue as GUE has become a truly global training organisation. Mine is just an example of how a group of divers from all over the world had one issue trying to dive with each other. As alot of big changes were being made (Valve drill) I am sure it was decided that they should try to iron out all the small issues at the same time.
It turns out that SMB left was the minority amongst all the divers internationally and it was only really the Brits and Lundgren that had SMB right. When you think about it standardisation is important so in an emergency for example we can all find each others spare mask or spool etc. Also it's really not that hard to get things out of a left pocket with multiple stages, you just reach inside, and if your SMB is connected as most of us dive when not practicing it's even easier (another can of worms???). It also makes sense for safety/emergency stuff to be easier to reach in the right pocket as when this is needed it is also needed more urgently.
Re the SMB and spool, it appears alot of people dive these connected and carry at least a spare spool.
HTH
Brian
Last edited by Brian Allen; November 7th, 2006 at 11:24 AM..
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