When selecting the thickness of a temporary guideline, what factors must be considered?

When selecting the thickness of a temporary guideline, strength and line capacity are crucial factors to consider. A guideline needs to be strong enough to withstand the forces it may encounter in an underwater environment, such as currents or the weight of divers attached to it.

Line capacity refers to the ability of the guideline to hold up under a certain amount of weight or pull without snapping. This is particularly important in cavern diving scenarios where safety is paramount and where the guideline may be used to pull or support divers during their activities. A thicker guideline often provides greater strength and capacity, making it essential for ensuring that divers can rely on the guideline throughout their exploration.

While other factors such as flexibility, visibility, cost-effectiveness, and material can play a role in the overall effectiveness of a guideline, the primary concern in this context is ensuring that it maintains structural integrity and can support the divers who are using it.