Begin Your Career in Underwater Salvage With a Lift Bag

While a simple lift bag may be an oversimplification of what is needed to become a salvager, it can be a great addition to your dive kit. It is unsafe to attempt to lift an object from the depths that weighs more than a few pounds, because you will need to use your buoyancy control device to assist in the lift. Should you lose your grip on the item, you run the risk of an uncontrolled ascent. You could also become entangled with whatever item you are recovering, which could make surface buoyancy more difficult and drowning a very real concern.

Lift Bags to the Rescue

Should you desire to bring objects to the surface–dropped weight belts, boat motors or otherwise–it would be wise to consider using a lift bag. Lift bags are pieces of specialized SCUBA gear designed to independently and safely bring objects up from the depths. Lift bags are rated based on how much weight they can safely lift, generally ranging from 30 to 100 pounds for recreational use. Larger bags are designed to raise incredibly large items, such as sunken ships and planes.

A lift bag will generally have an opening at the bottom used to add air, thereby increasing buoyancy. There should also be a dump valve near the top to vent expanding gas while ascending. At the bottom of the bag will be a strap or clip (or both) to attach the bag to your object.

Subsalve Commercial Lift Bag

Usage

Be sure you are using a lift bag rated to handle the load you are planning to salvage. When in doubt, go a little larger. However, a 200 pound lift bag for a 20 pound object may run the risk of being large and cumbersome, so try to stay within a reasonable margin of lift. Securely attach the lift bag to your item. While the rigging already attached to the lift bag may be sufficient, it doesn’t hurt to use additional rope or straps to make sure your object is extra secure.

Now that you are attached, it’s time to bring the object up. If you are recovering from depths beyond your normal range or are hauling a heavier object, it is recommended to use a second air source to lift the object. If you are shallow and the object is light, using your octopus and primary tank air should be adequate, just be sure to pay extra attention to your air consumption. Slowly add air to the lift bag. If the object is stuck in silt, be careful, as it may break free suddenly. As you add air to the lift bag, pull up gently. Once you are able to easily lift the item, stop adding air. Either swim the object to your point of ascent or begin your ascent to the surface. Just like with your BCD, the air in the lift bag will expand and you will need to vent air.

Safety

Never position yourself below the lift bag, always keep it at a comfortable arms length. Should you lose control due to expansion of air in the lift bag, do not chase it, just let it go. If your lift bag and item run away to the surface, try to swim out from under it because lift bags can aggressively breach the surface, tip, dump their air, and now the object you were lifting is heading directly for the top of your head. Never attach yourself to the lift bag or object should either the object fall from the bag, or the bag race towards the surface.

Lift bags open a whole new world of opportunities for divers, but practice in a controlled environment before tackling your first big salvage job!

Photos via NOAA Photo Library and Official U.S. Navy Imagery