Problem:
We have struggled for years with following the standards for a tether dive in our hellbender streams habitats. The streams are six feet wide and maximum depth is approximately four feet. They can be easily waded into for any rescue. There is an overhead cage canopy that can be raised and lowered. Only one diver can dive this shallow habitat. A standard rope tether was just a hassle. This is especially true when we use the gravel vacuum. The tether slack gets in the diver and tenders’ way. The reality is the tether is overkill for safety and my staff grumbled when insisted they had to use the tether.
Solution:
I used a waterski tow rope handle that was affixed to 10 inches of rope knots with a sturdy brass clasp hook. The “tether“ is attached to the diver’s BCD handle. In case of an emergency the diver can be pulled to the tender and then lifted over the edge of the pool via a strong handle. This is an easy solution for any shallow pool and doesn’t get tangled in any objects or the tender. You may want to modify length as needed.
