Recent discussions of the Haines Index have suggested that the relationship between the mixed layer and the layer used to calculate the Haines Index is important. The relationship influences how the Index layer interacts with the surface in terms of dynamics, and it has been suggested that a substantial overlap between the mixed layer and the Index layer can reduce the value of the Index.

The author examines the Haines Index from a dynamics and energetics perspective, towards the goal of finding what Haines Index layer - mixed layer relationship yields the most useful predictive value of the Haines Index.