Going from OW ocean dive to quarry dive

[Buoyant1]

Trust me...I'm a warm water unlimited viz wimp at heart, but If I didn't dive in quarries, I'd still have about 15-16 dives in my log and no dives since January 2006!

In reality, quarries are an acquired taste, but I'm NOW more comfy in my 7mm with hood and gloves than I am in my 3mm!

Next year we'll get Dave to bring you on Wednesday nights...we'll get you used to Bainbridge!

 

[Bob Vincent]

You learned your 1st MAJOR LESSON with diving with a wet suit that doesn't fit, IT BLOWS. Hanging in there says alot about you. The 2nd thing if you ever rent a wet suit try it on first!

Now thats taken care of, your going to most likely have to buy a custom suit. If you really want a perfect fit, look up Liquid Skin Wetsuits. LiquidFit.Com ~ Wetsuits That Fit Like They Were Poured On You. Based out of Key Largo alot of (bigger on top) female instructors use them for their comfortable fit. Also they are used by alot of commercial divers for their quality. Best of all is their pricing is very good.

Having your own equipment will make an amazing difference to you. You'll be much more relaxed and even 15ft. vis you'll come to enjoy. So grab hubby and go shopping and pick out and chose what you want before you buy. Compare. You make the decision, you'll be wearing it so get what you want.

Welcome to the board and our wonderful sport.
p.s. When you have your own equipment you'll dive tons more!

 

[DarrylStans]

Comfort and fit are the keys here. Get a suit that fits and then go play in a pool a while. Once you get used to the restrictive nature of the suit and how to work around it going out in the quarry will be much easier. Just because you have finished your OW class don't be afraid to jump in a pool anytime it has been a while or to try new equipment etc. Getting used to gear in a pool has a good comfort level for most people.

Sounds like you and hubby will have many years of wonderful diving together!

Darryl

 

[BidAndDive.com]

My OW checkout dives were in 5 feet of visibility, 52 degrees bottom temperature. I was told that if I did my checkout dives in the Carribean, I would never want to dive in New England. Now, I prefer New England diving. It's "manly" I guess you could say, lol.

 

[spectrum]

My OW checkout dives were in 5 feet of visibility, 52 degrees bottom temperature. I was told that if I did my checkout dives in the Carribean, I would never want to dive in New England. Now, I prefer New England diving. It's "manly" I guess you could say, lol.

There is a certain tactical element that grows on you. Anyone can keep track of a buddy in 75 foot visibility!

 

[BidAndDive.com]

There is a certain tactical element that grows on you. Anyone can keep track of a buddy in 75 foot visibility!

You're absolutely right. In New England, safety comes way before anything else, as it always should. I feel that when people dive in the Carribean, they're more apt to start looking at things and forgetting where their buddy is and who's around them.

 

[DaytonaDave]

My first dive was in a quarry (Bainbridge, actually) and we had about 5 foot of visibility... all I remember is that it was like diving in a sphere... you could see exactly 5 feet in every direction... and it gave the perception that you were encased in a green bubble...

For some reason, I've never been bothered by low vis. Now, going down to Jamaica and hopping in the water and seeing the wreck that's 70 feet beneath us before I even left the surface was darn strange!

 

[Buoyant1]

My first dive was in a quarry (Bainbridge, actually) and we had about 5 foot of visibility... all I remember is that it was like diving in a sphere... you could see exactly 5 feet in every direction... and it gave the perception that you were encased in a green bubble...

For some reason, I've never been bothered by low vis. Now, going down to Jamaica and hopping in the water and seeing the wreck that's 70 feet beneath us before I even left the surface was darn strange!

I've done so much low to no viz dives over the past two years that when I DO get down to the Keys next month I won't know how to act! Heck, maybe I'll just purposely kick up the viz so I'll feel at home!

Missed you yesterday Dave...great diving at Dutch!

 

[paddler3d]

I was told by OW dive instructor, if you can dive in these quarries, you can just about dive anywhere.

Sure the vis may not be the best, and yeah your looking at bull dozers, helicopters and old dynamite shacks, but your diving. You're also diving in some pretty far out conditions. I have yet to dive in the ocean, 38 degree water, with 5 foot vis at 100 feet. I've hit the 5 foot vis at 100 feet, but never that cold. If you can deal with that, you're sound as a pound.

The quarries are great places to get practice.

So I'd encourage you keep on going to your quarries and work on those skills. When you get to those warm places with great vis, you just become super relaxed and really, really can enjoy the dive.

Good luck on your development!

 

[DaytonaDave]

I've done so much low to no viz dives over the past two years that when I DO get down to the Keys next month I won't know how to act! Heck, maybe I'll just purposely kick up the viz so I'll feel at home!

Missed you yesterday Dave...great diving at Dutch!

We had about 30 foot vis in Key Largo this year.... wasn't as good of vis as I thought it would be. Still, very, very enjoyable diving. Lots to see, and a short boat ride to the dive site.

I really wanted to dive on Monday, but we had no-one to watch the kids. Bummer.