Got My DM - But I Don't Want to Dive "This Way"...

[Thalassamania]

1. You buy the ticket, I'll provide the tanks ...
2. Definitely ... although after Monterey you'll probably be disappointed. We don't have anything that I'd say compares to Pt. Lobos ... although Neah Bay and some of the better San Juan Island dives come close on a good day.

Gotta make my way back down there sometime ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Yeah? Well you've got six-gills, that'd be a real thrill. I've only seen one through a submersible port and it still scared the bejesus out of me.

 

[--tom--]

1. You buy the ticket, I'll provide the tanks ...
2. Definitely ... although after Monterey you'll probably be disappointed. We don't have anything that I'd say compares to Pt. Lobos ... although Neah Bay and some of the better San Juan Island dives come close on a good day.

Gotta make my way back down there sometime ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I don't think I would be disappointed. I think the companion would make the dive good, clear water would just be a bonus.

Good diving.

--tom--

 

[on_two_wheels]

Without reading everyone's reply, I'll give you a new diver's opinion on the subject. I would prefer to see more than the standard jacket BC set up. The more I see the more I can ask questions about set up and such. If simply seeing someone else's set up is going to confuse a new diver, they probably shouldn't be diving. It's not like YOU are instructing them. Let him do his job, let you do your's. I think that instructor is just micro-managing.

 

[PvtStash]

Without reading everyone's reply, I'll give you a new diver's opinion on the subject. I would prefer to see more than the standard jacket BC set up. The more I see the more I can ask questions about set up and such. If simply seeing someone else's set up is going to confuse a new diver, they probably shouldn't be diving. It's not like YOU are instructing them. Let him do his job, let you do your's. I think that instructor is just micro-managing.

Get certed next weekend... I agree, the more questions a student asks the more informed they become... an therein lies the problem... Sometimes its in an LDS' best interest (not nescessarily the students) to Not have the students so informed... why, if they see some BC they like that the LDS doesnt carry they may actually go Looking for it... and that might lead them to... The Internet!! God Forbid!! cus Then they'll learn about price disparity...

Its about da Benjamins.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

man I went to bed early last night and missed this!! as a "shop" instructor your professionalism includes wearing what the shop sells when in front of students. So want a BP/W setup??Do what I did and get a Hollis harness with 25lb bladder for pool and rec dives, and wear your BP/W in OW. simple

absent Hollis a DR Transpac etc

That would be true ... if he were a shop instructor. He's a DM helping out on his own dime. He's not an employee nor a paid vendor as an instructor is.

Also, Peter's clarified that the shop has no issues. He can wear what he wants as long as he doesn't bad mouth their vendors. This issue is based upon comments from an instructor he's been helping.

IMO ... If he's making no money from the shop nor from the instructor but is actually spending his own time and own money (insurance, gas, etc.) to help, I think that frees him to wear whatever gear he wants as long as (1) it meets standards (2) it's safe (3) he knows it well and (4) he can demonstrate the skills he needs to demonstrate.

 

[seaducer]

Get certed next weekend... I agree, the more questions a student asks the more informed they become... an therein lies the problem... Sometimes its in an LDS' best interest (not nescessarily the students) to Not have the students so informed... why, if they see some BC they like that the LDS doesnt carry they may actually go Looking for it... and that might lead them to... The Internet!! God Forbid!! cus Then they'll learn about price disparity...

Its about da Benjamins.

First, congrats and welcome to the club!

However keep in mind that there are 100's of BCD models, and more than a few configurations to choose from. It is impossible for an LDS to be able to offer you a look or even information on all of them. All they can really do is tell you about the models and styles they choose to sell. Inevitably that will be the best selling models and styles in that area.

Also, always remember, the diver makes the gear, not the other way around.

I personally do not believe a shop that operates that way is doing anyone a disservice, unless they start lieing or really pressuring you one way or the other.

 

[pengwe]

There is, I have no problem using a long hose with a snorkel and my snorkel does not get in the way of my using my inflator. That said, I tend to swim face down and use my snorkel ... but I'd have no problem with you swimming on your back and keeping it in your pocket.

How do you wear it, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Yeah? Well you've got six-gills, that'd be a real thrill. I've only seen one through a submersible port and it still scared the bejesus out of me.

Six-gills are beautiful, graceful animals. I'm not sure what scared you ... I've had them swim right up and stare into my mask, and there was nothing frightening about it ... we're not on their menu.

Last one I saw was a few months ago while out scootering with TSandM. It was maybe 12-feet long, and something of a wide-body. I was excited to see one that size. When we got back to shore I asked her if she'd ever seen one that big ... turns out that was her first experience with a six-gill. Very special ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TSandM]

Yeah, that dive is still in my top two Puget Sound dives. She was an amazing animal, and by far the biggest shark I've been in the water with!

 

[nereas]

How do you wear it, if you don't mind me asking?

You wear it just like you were taught to wear it in basic OW1.

Should you need to deploy your primary 2nd stage on a long hose to share air/gas, you simply make a curling motion with your right hand to get it around your snorkel. It's not rocket science.

You are vastly more likely to use your snorkel before or after a scuba dive than you are to share air with an OOA buddy. The snorkel is quite useful during entries, exits, and in case of emergencies at the surface.

For a beginning tech diver, I can see where this complicates things. But for anyone who has been around for a number of years, it is a piece of cake.

I would also agree with keeping things as simple as possible for beginning tech divers who are learning to dive a tech rig.