If you want to go to Bocas Del Toro, Bocas Water Sports (owner Chip Picard) runs an ok operation. Very laid back area. Diving is just alright. If you like macro, it's great for that, but no deep diving and no big critters.
Jose Saenz is a good contact in Panama for airport...
Depends. I have a jacket-style bc. Upon purchasing a back-zip drysuit, I found that while I could still get into it, it was much more hassle. I changed to a back-flotation for a much easier entry.
If you plan to dive in water less than 40F, I would say they absolutely are worth every penny you pay for them. If you can, try your wet gloves, then try some friend's dry gloves. I think you'll agree they're a good investment.
Like CWB, I, too, use military woolen glove liners in mine. Even if the glove leaks at all, the wool still offers protection.
And, like Arduous, when it's REALLY cold, I use the chemical handwarmers, too.
Bout time, Guy. As you say an SI @ 28F is BITTER!
You need room to handle the maximum undergarments you'd wear and still be able to move comfortably. When they're "a little tight" you're going to stress the seams, which can result in leakage and/or failure. A little tall...depends where...
I don't know what viz would be like. I've heard folks say you still need a south wind for any kind of viz. I, too, would like to hear what some of the winter river divers have to say.
As for diving wet? Yeah, you're crazy.
From one who lives north of Windsor (south of the border), I agree with Canuckdiver. Ice diving is great. We don't do a lot of underwater hockey, but night ice dives are particularly fun.
And/or, drive to Gilboa quarry, which doesn't freeze too often.
My wife and I learned the same time as a friend did. So we just started practicing diving together. Consequently, we all developed very similar styles, so for us to dive three is no big deal. We just always seem to know where each of us is.
It's the same story as who to take OW from. It's SOOO instructor dependent. I took SSI's stress & rescue. The instructor 'bout worked us to death. One of the hardest classes, if not THE hardest I ever took. But I can see where a lazy instructor could cut corners.
If you've taken classes...
You could also try a small self-stick bicycle tube patch, then paint the edges with aquaseal. I used that method to fix a dry glove, and it's still leak-proof dozens of dives later.
IF you're comfortable in cold water
and
IF you own a drysuit, or are familiar with use of same,
I'd recommend Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, Scotland.
Great diving on the remains of the World War I German high-seas fleet.
Do a search on Scapa Flow and you can find websites of the many...
My wife and I are both using viking x-tremes and have been very happy with them. They've proven tough and durable over the 100 odd dives since we purchased them. There are few seams (this is important to someone who had an oceanic flex with lots of --leaking-- seams). The valves have given me...
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