Critique my rig (and/or me!)
- Thread starter mountainsean
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down4fun
Contributor
Your basic kit is fine especially for the diving you do. You mentioned the glare in your mask and that your fins are uncomfortable. I would change those two things out for sure. The more comfortable you are in your gear the more comfortable in the water you will be. And this will make a better diver and also allow you to enjoy your dives more.
The SMB is a great idea as a lot of operators do drift dives and this allows you this allow you to signal the boat on the surface should you be separated from the flag. I second the idea of a spool for the kind of diving you do. It's simple, you can stuff it in a pocket and not worry about it. And it doesn't have to be some 250ft spool, a small safety spool to deploy your SMB from below the surface of the water. There are videos on the web but if you can find someone in your area to demonstrate maybe watch you do a couple that would be best. It's not hard but you want to make sure you don't get yourself entangled.
About the knife. I'm guessing that this early on in your diving it is mostly reefs, perhaps a shallow wreck that has been cleaned up. At this stage I don't see a need for a secondary cutting device. If you eventually progress then yes there comes a time when multiple cutting tools available to either hand becomes important.
The spare air/pony debate. Again at this early stage in your diving i don't see a need for it. Work on your skills and manage your gas properly. My first 100 dives or so were almost all insta-buddies. I didn't know any one who dove, so I would just show up at the boat. Point being that yes insta-buddies can be annoying and I am sure on rare occasions dangerous but for the most part they are pretty harmless. As you progress and if the dives get deeper then I might consider a redundant air source.
The SMB is a great idea as a lot of operators do drift dives and this allows you this allow you to signal the boat on the surface should you be separated from the flag. I second the idea of a spool for the kind of diving you do. It's simple, you can stuff it in a pocket and not worry about it. And it doesn't have to be some 250ft spool, a small safety spool to deploy your SMB from below the surface of the water. There are videos on the web but if you can find someone in your area to demonstrate maybe watch you do a couple that would be best. It's not hard but you want to make sure you don't get yourself entangled.
About the knife. I'm guessing that this early on in your diving it is mostly reefs, perhaps a shallow wreck that has been cleaned up. At this stage I don't see a need for a secondary cutting device. If you eventually progress then yes there comes a time when multiple cutting tools available to either hand becomes important.
The spare air/pony debate. Again at this early stage in your diving i don't see a need for it. Work on your skills and manage your gas properly. My first 100 dives or so were almost all insta-buddies. I didn't know any one who dove, so I would just show up at the boat. Point being that yes insta-buddies can be annoying and I am sure on rare occasions dangerous but for the most part they are pretty harmless. As you progress and if the dives get deeper then I might consider a redundant air source.
DevonDiver
N/A
I think most divers would feel the same way. Diplomacy is key. Try asking them to do what you want 'as a favor for you, because you are rusty/nervous/want to practice what you learnt on OW/etc etc etc
It's fine to store the reel attached to you. They normally come with a double-end bolt clip, that can be attached to any o-ring (or just put it in a pocket).
The reel itself is just a spool and line. There is a gap in the centre of the spool where you insert your finger when it reels out. You can use the bolt-clip as a 'winder' during ascent. Finger reels don't jam like other reels do..
This video will give you an idea... YouTube - SCUBA: SMB Deployment
Just a question... was the lack of issues attributed to the effectiveness of the AirII or a lack of incidents in which you needed to use it?
I think that any high-end, well designed fin will ease the issue of cramps. Split Fins are fine for recreational open-water divers. The main issue stems from whether they have enough power to propel a fully equipped technical diver, especially against oncoming current/water flow. Some users also report that they offer less control when attempting back-kicks or helicopter turns. They are really only issues that affect advanced level divers.
Sean, you might want to take a look at this finger spool:
General Purpose Safety Reel - Small - Product Detail
It's a finger spool that works like a reel... couldn't be easier, and best spool I've ever owned (complete with drag knob, so you needn't worry about clipping it to your BCD and having your SMB carry you off into an impending chamber ride).
That same site has a few videos showing you its deployment for different purposes...
DevonDiver
N/A
down4fun
Contributor
i agree stay as simple as possible in the beginning
I've only been in one OOA situation, in which I had to deploy the SS1. In that case, I had a panicked diver (not my buddy), come around from behind me, and tear my primary out of my mouth (which would have happened, with the integrated, or a standard octo). In that instance, the SS1 did what it was supposed to do, and the two of us made a normal controlled ascent, complete with safety stop. Other than that, I'd never had a malfunction, free-flow, sticking inflate or deflate buttons, freeze-up, or any other unfortunate circumstance with the integrated. More than I can say for a couple of standard inflators out there (including Halcyon).
Well, I happen to agree. I've never been able to do decent frog kicks in splits. And the only time I've ever needed to back-kick was in a tight reef overhang taking a couple of pictures... However, that's the exception. I believe I mentioned that splits are primarily for recreational diving. As to whether they're better for cramping, I've *personally* found that to be the case -- and that's about as far as I'm diving into *that* particular can of worms, in this thread...
Blackwood
Contributor
Sean -
What everyone said is spot on. Your gear is fine, with the exception of uncomfortable fins (most likely you don't use those muscles often, so some lap swimming may solve that problem) and an annoying mask.
I also agree. That looks like a solution in search of a problem.
100 foot delrin spool, $15
What everyone said is spot on. Your gear is fine, with the exception of uncomfortable fins (most likely you don't use those muscles often, so some lap swimming may solve that problem) and an annoying mask.
I also agree. That looks like a solution in search of a problem.
100 foot delrin spool, $15
OP
mountainsean
Contributor
Your gear sounds nice. Good job.
Personally I feel Air 2s don't work so well for occasional divers. You've probably been trained to donate the reg in your mouth and then breathe off the Air 2. This can be a tricky proceedure to accomplish under stress - especially if you haven't practiced and dived for a while. And dumping air from you BCD while you have your Air 2 in your mouth can be very difficult if you haven't practiced. That said my GF used an Air 2 set up and loves it. She has successfully used it to bail me out in an OOS situation. But she dives frequently, is practiced and comfortable at primary donate and she can manage her buoyancy with the Air 2 reg in use.
People recommending deploying your safety sausage on a spool/reel are wrong and are giving dangerous advice. This is a complex skill to execute safely in a stressful situation and requires training and practice. The consequences of getting it wrong can be very serious. I have witnessed one uncontrolled ascent when a diver became entangled and have heard of many more. I recommend you seek instruction and practice practice practice before attempting this skill in a stressful situation.
Enjoy your diving and good on you for taking safety seriously - it sounds like you're the sort of buddy diving needs more of!
Personally I feel Air 2s don't work so well for occasional divers. You've probably been trained to donate the reg in your mouth and then breathe off the Air 2. This can be a tricky proceedure to accomplish under stress - especially if you haven't practiced and dived for a while. And dumping air from you BCD while you have your Air 2 in your mouth can be very difficult if you haven't practiced. That said my GF used an Air 2 set up and loves it. She has successfully used it to bail me out in an OOS situation. But she dives frequently, is practiced and comfortable at primary donate and she can manage her buoyancy with the Air 2 reg in use.
People recommending deploying your safety sausage on a spool/reel are wrong and are giving dangerous advice. This is a complex skill to execute safely in a stressful situation and requires training and practice. The consequences of getting it wrong can be very serious. I have witnessed one uncontrolled ascent when a diver became entangled and have heard of many more. I recommend you seek instruction and practice practice practice before attempting this skill in a stressful situation.
Enjoy your diving and good on you for taking safety seriously - it sounds like you're the sort of buddy diving needs more of!
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