My old tactic for heavy lift bags was all wrong until a dive in Port Fourchon

I used to just guess my lift bag size based on weight, and I ended up over-inflating on a 200 pound lift in Lake Pontchartrain last year. Finally paid attention to a dive master who showed me how to calculate displacement with a simple formula, and now I do the math on the boat before I even jump. It saves gas and keeps the bag from rocketing up. Has anyone else switched up their lift bag method after a close call?

2 comments

2 Comments

alicea2610d ago

Ngl that rocket-up story is why I always double check displacement.

dixon.ryan10d ago

@alicea26 nailed it with that rocket-up warning, I had the same scare on a 150 pound lift near the rigs. Switched to a simple water displacement calculation before every dive - just estimate the volume based on the lift bag's shape and the weight of what you're raising. Now I also tie a short leash line to the bag so if I overdo it the bag just bounces under the boat instead of shooting to the surface. Saves me from wasting time fiddling with the inflator hose every time.