Any advice for first time using a drysuit?

[brandnew]

DUI is having a demo locally. I figured why not go check it out and see how these things operate. any advice on how to dive with one of these?

Thank you in advance for any tips you can provide

 

[Doc Harry]

Just do it.

Dry diving is not as difficult as people make it out to be.

Even when you get too much air in your feet and get hung upside-down it is really easy to correct.

Specific tips:

1. "15 FOOT SQUEEZE" - Start by dumping all of the air out of your dry suit at the surface. Descend normally. You will start to feel a squeeze. When you get to about 15-20 feet, remember what it feels like. That's the amount of squeeze you want to maintain during the dive. As you get deeper, start adding air to your dry suit in bursts to maintain the feeling you had at 15-20 feet.

2. For fun, descend without adding air and see how painful the squeeze can get.

3. If you add too much air to your dry suit, you will have a big bubble of air that really throws of your trim.

4. Use the dry suit inflator to regulate the squeeze. Use the BC inflator to regulate your depth. Don't make it more complicated that it has to be. Some people (like PADI) will tell you to use your dry suit as your BC, but see #3 above.

Have fun!

 

[battles2a5]

Doc Harry summed it up well. In addition, if this is your first time see if you can borrow a bigger set of fins. DUI will probably have you in Rock Boots and they may not fit your fins. Also, make sure you have an open LP port on your 1st stage for the drysuit hose. If you are diving a BP/W, you will likely have to let some more material out in the shoulder straps and maybe lengthen the crotch strap. These are all things that you can do to prepare beforehand. Most importantly, don't let any of your friends bring a camera. Have fun. Diving dry is great.

 

[tstormdiver]

At the Demo, there will be a drysuit instructor with you to help you during your dive. Don't sweat it. Just enjoy being toasty warm as you dive!

 

[Randy43068]

The only thing I'd add to the Doc's advice is to keep your hand close to the DS inflater in case the suit gets a little too tight on decent. You will want to be in a position to add air if needed.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Anticipate needing to dump air on ascent. You will feel the bubble start to expand around your body and you will think "Oh ****", you need to start venting at "Oh".

DUI Demo days is a great place to get to try drysuits. It can take about an hour to fit you in your suit and get you ready to dive. You bring your regulator to the table and they will attach a drysuit hose then you go through sizing stations for seals, suit and undies. You will be escorted by an instructor on your dive, let them know you've never been in a drysuit so they can give you some extra tips.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[=C=]

Dive a automatic shoulder dump not a cuff dump... borrow a pair of gaiters for the firt dive... Thats about it.

 

[mwilding]

I'd recommend shaving your neck as well. Depending on the state of the neck seal, you may find your stubble contributing to a bit of leakage - nothing drastic, but a slow trickle of really cold water sucks.

Practice raising your right elbow. It is a vital skill.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Practice raising your right elbow. It is a vital skill.

Right elbow? Dump valves are on the left if I remember correctly
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Randy43068]

Right elbow? Dump valves are on the left if I remember correctly
Ber :lilbunny:

Mine is on the LEFT.. maybe not all are.

Good advice on dumping air before goin' up.