Some things that I haven't learned yet

[Soakedlontra]

after almost 25 years of diving, I still have my(lists) going.......don't feel bad, keep making them....

It is hard to take it, though, when you look at the list and still you forget something...My last piece of gear that I forgot was the mask! Luckily I did not forget to bring the bag with spare gear where inside there was another mask!

Full report at:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/force-fin/280732-where-did-i-go-my-force-fins-8.html#post4645935

post #77: Orange Sea Pens don't bicker...

cheers

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

It doesn't get any better, Betty ... that's why I carry so much spare gear around in my car ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Soakedlontra]

On Saturday August 29 I was one of the several hundred divers who stayed on line to get dressed with a DUI undergarment, socks, dry suit and dry gloves and dove into the calm but murky waters of Commencement Bay at Les Davis Marine Park to test all that gear with all the patience and understanding I could muster (I am probably the worst shopper who has ever walked on earth...Thank you DUI guys for being so calm!)

I wore the DUI TLS 350 dry suit with the thickest undergarment available. For the first time I felt what an improvement was to use a proper scubadiving undergarment under the dry suit instead of clothes that I had pulled out from a chest of draws at home. I felt warm except for my feet and hands (however it was better than wearing wet socks, boots and gloves). I guess the flees socks were not warm enough but unfortunately I could not try the warmest kind because my size was not available.:depressed:

I am not through with my dry suit class because now my dry suit is in Minnesota for repair so I felt that I was obliged to follow the SSI rule of controlling my buoyancy with the air in my suit only...I simply hated it! I could not understand what was going on in my feet. They seemed to me to have always too much air in them but then I could not keep them warm!

When I stopped swimming and tried to stand still horizontally my head would slowly move forward and my feet upwards and I could feel the air rushing into them (much more than when I wear my home clothes). Did I need ankle weights? Was my tank too high? Was my trim all screwed up? Where shall I put these bloody feet? It was rather frustrating trying to figure out the whys and eventually I gave up!

Santa Pazienza! Holy Patience!

 

[sibermike7]

I felt that I was obliged to follow the SSI rule of controlling my buoyancy with the air in my suit only...I simply hated it!

I started a thread last year that included a survey to find out what most drysuit divers used to control buoyancy and the conclusion I reached was, do what you feel comfortable with. For some divers using both the suit and BC was too much task loading, for others, no problems. I personally like to use my BC instead of my suit. I put enough air in my suit to stay warm and prevent squeeze and then I use the BC for buoyancy. I have to remember on ascent that the "bubble" in the suit will expand, but I try to come up pretty slow so that it doesn't expand too fast anyway.

Of course, you'll have to play with this after you get your little card that shows that you can if need be use the suit for BC!

 

[TSandM]

If you are tilting head down, then you're unbalanced. Either you have too much weight up high, or you have too much air in your feet. It may be that the way you have your gear put together works for the suit and undergarments you have been using, and might have to be amended if you buy other undergarments.

I agree with you about purpose-made diving underwear, though -- it's WAY better than layering skiing or riding stuff. It's worth the investment.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Santa Pazienza! Holy Patience!

Save that line for the next instructor you're not taking a class from who insists you're gonna die if you don't do things "his" way ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[BrianOrange]

Here are two issues I had this weekend during my check out dives. Any insights are appreciated.

1.) I could clear my mask but usually one side of my mask (under the eye) still had water lodged there. For example, I'd clear the mask but have about 2 cm of water under my right eye. The left side was completely clear. It was enough to hinder you but not call off a dive or stop your dive.

2.) Anything you can do to defog the mask underwater? My first dive on Saturday my mask was a bit foggy and it made my wreck dive a little less fun.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Here are two issues I had this weekend during my check out dives. Any insights are appreciated.

1.) I could clear my mask but usually one side of my mask (under the eye) still had water lodged there. For example, I'd clear the mask but have about 2 cm of water under my right eye. The left side was completely clear. It was enough to hinder you but not call off a dive or stop your dive.

2.) Anything you can do to defog the mask underwater? My first dive on Saturday my mask was a bit foggy and it made my wreck dive a little less fun.

Use the first problem to solve the second ... keep that little bit of water in your mask and roll your head to use it to clear the lens from time to time.

"Annoying" is a state of mind. If you decide not to be annoyed by a little bit of water inside your mask, you won't be.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[sibermike7]

"Annoying" is a state of mind. If you decide not to be annoyed by a little bit of water inside your mask, you won't be.

Shoot, as my vision gets worse with age, I have started adding a bit of water to my mask to make bi-focals!

 

[Soakedlontra]

Here are two issues I had this weekend during my check out dives. Any insights are appreciated.

2.) Anything you can do to defog the mask underwater? My first dive on Saturday my mask was a bit foggy and it made my wreck dive a little less fun.

I usually wash my mask with soap and water after each dive and then use spit to defog it. It seems to be working fine because the mask hasn't been fogging underwater so far.

I have never thought that some water in the mask could actually help you to get rid of the fog!::shocked2: