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My cave instructor teaches the standard config, but puts his own wing inflator on the left post (for many of these reasons). Said he’s been diving that way for 30+ years, before there really was a “standard.” And he likes the early roll-off warning…

I live in Florida; the springs are 72 year-round so on cold winter days getting in the water actually feels…warm. (It’s a lie, but it’s a pleasant lie). I bring hot water for after the dive, and boat coats, and try to get changed quickly out of wet stuff.

Thirty minutes to the closest diving (Devil's Den and Blue Grotto in Williston); about two hours to my fav dive sites (Buford/EN).

I'm your height and weight. I can dive HP100s, but vastly prefer double LP85s (I'm also in Florida though, where I can get cave fills). I won't go larger than that - if I need more air, I'd rather carry a stage than struggle with LP104s.

I personally count an entry and exit from the water as a dive, as long as it was in the spirit of doing a real dive. So deliberately hopping in for five minutes to up my dive count? No. A dive at Fanning Springs for an hour that technically never exceeds 15’? Yes. In psychology measurement...

How is the little habitat at Vortex anchored? It’s on the bottom of the basin

Ah, I misread 10,000 as 1000; I would not carry such a big light as a new diver. Instead, I'd focus on diving and photography/videography in areas with more natural light. A dark cenote with delicate decorations and a bottom that you want to avoid stirring up is very advanced camera/video, and...

The DGX 600 video light is a nice lightweight light for taking videos if you’re looking for a reliable light on a budget.

Co-signed!! My Swift transmitter recently stopped working; I thought it just needed a new battery but when I opened it up, water poured out. I sent photos to Shearwater and they sent me a brand new replacement literally within days. Incredible customer service.

The PADI Deep specialty is intended for divers with AOW, not sure where you’re getting the idea that it’s a class for OW students. It IS the “upgrade” you are looking for. “Adventure Diver” or AOW is a prerequisite to take Deep; you can’t enroll in it with just an open water cert. (“Adventure...

Orange Grove is clear, as is P1, was at both today. A little greenish and not sparking clear, but definitely diveable. I heard Cow is also clear (as of yesterday) with about 40’ vis, so hopefully Royal and Troy (and Little River) will be next to clear!

I’ll put in another plug for the north Florida springs - there’s a nice little map of the open water friendly ones here. While some of these are fairly well-known (Ginnie, Devil’s Den, Blue Grotto), some of my favorites (Morrison, Buford, Volusia Blue Springs) are not.

Thanks for the report! Was wondering what it looked like right now.

The Key Largo wrecks will give you depth and current, if that’s what you’re wanting.

A doubles wing will “taco” when used with a single tank - it will fold and wrap around the tank because it’s too big, which is very unfun to dive. You really should have separate wings for doubles and single tanks, it’s no problem to swap between them as needed.

I use a fairly low-end LM light for my primary; it’s totally fine and we have had great experiences with their customer service (we are close enough to drive to them). If you want the nicer light, by all means go for it, but you don’t need it strictly per se.

“Diving into the Darkness” is new and not widely available yet, but also one to check out!

I add about ten pounds in sidemount when I go from LP85s to AL80s in freshwater but ymmv.

It totally depends on the conditions. I surface with reg in mouth, but if it’s calm and the water is warm and I’m floating with buddies, I’ll drop the reg. If conditions are rough or sketchy, reg stays in. I always keep reg in from when I begin to approach the ladder until I’m all the way back...

Lots of folks just use shoes! I like the booties for the warmth and I feel like they handle drying/being wet better, but absolutely nothing wrong with Chuck Taylor’s.