Towing a Freediver - Techniques?

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by florfreediver

Marcus, how the hell do you whistle whilst being towed, especially with a snorkel in mouth

Regards,
Mike.

lol, fair question. I have one handed whistler capabilities. BUT, a simple signal via tug...tug...sends the same sort of signal to driver to look back and understand your desired wants via hand signals you display.
Sometimes, even the middle finger is appropriate. Of course, sometimes hilariousness ensues.

Deaf Jokes – Motel

A deaf couple check into a motel and go to bed early. The wife wakes her husband in the middle of the night complaining of a headache. She asks him to go to the car to get some aspirin from the glove compartment. Groggy with sleep, he struggles to get up, puts on his robe, and leaves the room to go to the car. He finds the aspirin, and with the bottle in hand he turns toward the motel. But he cannot remember which room is his. After thinking a moment, he returns to the car, places his hand on the horn, holds it down, and waits. Very quickly the motel rooms light up… all but one. It’s his wife’s room, of course. He locks up his car and heads toward the only room without a light on.

[HurricaneBK]

Originally Posted by florfreediver

Thanks for the various suggestions.

However will continue with my quest to find a one handed tow technique.
I believe the "saddle: analogy will be the way.

I will try one of my RA floats tied on and held between my thighs.
Together with a handle or knot in the tow rope, strategically 2-3ft ahead of the RA float, may prove the answer. Or not.

Hopefully I get a chance in too distant future to try it out and report back.

Marcus, how the hell do you whistle whilst being towed, especially with a snorkel in mouth

Regards,
Mike.

You might want something more neutrally buoyant than a RA float if you're trying the saddle idea. I've seen how a RA float acts when towed behind a boat and you'd be in for quite the ride.

Almost think if you had an older RA float you didn't mind sacrificing for the purpose and could cut off the back end and remove most of the foam inside it would be perfect.

With a polespear you can loop the band around your shoulder and still hang on, I'll usually have a polespear and my lobster noose looped over my shoulder while being towed - takes a bit of getting used to be once you figure it out it's nice to have everything with you so you don't need to wait for the boat.

[florfreediver]

Originally Posted by HurricaneBK

You might want something more neutrally buoyant than a RA float if you're trying the saddle idea. I've seen how a RA float acts when towed behind a boat and you'd be in for quite the ride.

Thanks for the comments.
I have had just about all of the RA floats over the generations. Inflatables, foam filled and new lifeguard float style design
You are correct about the action being erratic. Jumping about, going under etc etc.

Do assume though that when you saddle one under a 210lb lump, like myself, they may behave more consistently. I actually cannot forecast what the action will then be like.

Mike.

[Unspearable]

The thought of the SPORTSSTUFF Sumo Tube, or the SPORTSSTUFF Gyro seem to keep popping in my head. I want to see a clip of someone actually using either of these. Neither seem like they would be fun.

[OBLIGATED]

https://youtu.be/mVcL7mhcuNA

Someone has a cool dad.

I was thinking of possibly a tube of pvc 6 inch schedule 40 x 5ft long with a attachment for a rope(possibly quick release like gliders have) small wings on front to go up or down and a cross member tube at the rear to "saddle"?It would be cheap enough to experiment with.

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by OBLIGATED

I was thinking of possibly a tube of pvc 6 inch schedule 40 x 5ft long with a attachment for a rope(possibly quick release like gliders have) small wings on front to go up or down and a cross member tube at the rear to "saddle"?It would be cheap enough to experiment with.

I think that idea might have some legs. You wouldn't be able to saddle the cross member due to the amount of drag, but you could stand on the cross member. Need the rope attached about a 1/4 of the way from the front. One could easily attach clips to the rear of the tube for speargun/lobster net/etc.. The wings on the front would be a little tricky.

[OBLIGATED]

Could get a aircraft wing tip tank(lightweight)and pull that with two divers.The sound of money rushing away!

[agbiv]

Don't forget to attach some REALLY BIG treble hooks to your belt in case something wants you as bait!

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by agbiv

Don't forget to attach some REALLY BIG treble hooks to your belt in case something wants you as bait!

I make sure my toe nails are painted sparkly pink before I get towed. I also chum with a steady flow of glitter mixed with shrimp juice as I go. YOLO!

[Mikel_24]

On a serious note, whatever you do, make sure you can let go easily without relying on any complicated motor skills. No tying anything to you directly, no wrapping your hands arround any rope, belt, etc... Play safe!

And then post pictures, or better yet, a video!

[barnaclebill]

A good way to tow a freediver is put a crab float ball between your legs and you can hold on with one hand, a diver I met when I moved here 25 years who was a good friend of Ray Odor showed me that.

[Mendicant]

Has anybody ever tried putting a camera on a stick and placing it down into the water and having a video feed onto the boat? That seems easier to me than actually having to put humans into the water.

[florfreediver]

Originally Posted by barnaclebill

A good way to tow a freediver is put a crab float ball between your legs and you can hold on with one hand, a diver I met when I moved here 25 years who was a good friend of Ray Odor showed me that.

Thanks Bill,
That is the technique I was shown and subsequently used myself. Not quite 20 years ago but not too far off.
This is what I was I was referring to in my thread starter.

I was hoping it may have evolved over time but instead it appears to have been almost forgotten.

One of the nice aspects of using this technique is that it easy to release the float ball. It also does not tire your arms out.
I was thinking someone may have commercialized the idea. Probably not enough users though.

When I do the Bahama trip next spring, I will try again.

Regards,
Mike.

[florfreediver]

Originally Posted by Mendicant

Has anybody ever tried putting a camera on a stick and placing it down into the water and having a video feed onto the boat? That seems easier to me than actually having to put humans into the water.

Hi Mendicant,
I am sure that has been tried by now and would not actually be surprised if someone somewhere has not semi-permanently mounted a camera under their boat.

It would need to be a good lens system though to show as much as you see with a mask and snorkel.


Thanks,
Mike