Well, my fears were totally unrealized! I had no problem with a feet first ascent, nor any issues relating to buoyancy at all... well except for one I'll detail later in this post.
I went down after finishing my pot of coffee. I timed it just right... all my friends were exiting the water as I finally got up the nerve to enter with the dry suit. I didn't want any witnesses underwater, especially if they might be carrying a camera to record things.
My legs felt warm and comfy as I entered the water. No problems getting over to the down line. I used it to descend although it really wasn't necessary. I started out over the forests of the exotic Japanese Sargassum and ended up diving deeper than expected... out past the wrecks. In fact I was outside the park in two different directions because I was looking down rather than out. Buoyancy was fine... I just floated about 2 ft above the bottom and did a longer dive than I expected to.
However, as I began my descent out past the kelp I felt a "trickle" of water that appeared to be going down my neck seal. Yes, Pete had suggested I have the seal inspected before diving, but I disregarded his wise advice.
As I continued my dive in deeper water, I discovered the "squeeze" that many dry suit divers talk about. No problem, I just used my dry suit inflator to add a little air.
The "trickle" of water continued until I could feel dampness from head to toe. Still I wanted to do a legitimate, logable dive despite the 57 degree water temp. Besides, I dive wet in colder water so this was nothing new.
The exotic Japanese Sargassum was so thick that I actually got lost in the dive park. Twice I had gone well outside the dive park boundaries because I was staring down, but corrected course easily to bring myself back inside. Fortunately my instincts were correct... I passed through the Sargassum entering the opening right at the drop down buoy by the stairs.
My ascent was controlled but it was very difficult to develop any forward inertia. I felt I was exerting far more effort than should be required to cross the 30 ft or so to the stairs. I finally landed on the stairs and tried to take my fins off. My legs were so full of water that it was hard to lift my foot up high enough to take the fins off, but I managed.
Walking up the stairs I realized I must have at least one and possibly two or more gallons of water inside the suit. It was hard to lift my feet to the next step. When I got to the Dr. Bill Mobile, I realized that there was so much water in each leg that the dry suit legs were "folded over" due to the weight. When I tried to drive the Dr. Bill Mobile, my foot was like lead on the accelerator. It was hard walking up the stairs to my condo. When I tried to take the dry suit off, the folding of the legs due to the water made it very difficult to remove the suit. I almost thought I'd have to drive back to the dive park to get someone to help me!
So if this is what "diving dry" is all about, I'll stay wet thank you (as I was today). Seriously, will have the dry suit leak tested at Scuba Luv to find out where the water might be coming in. After this first dry suit dive, there is only one way things can go... up (and hopefully not feet first).
Cinde, manager of CDS, did get a few shots of me after the dive so I;ll post them when she sends them to me. And to think, some folks actually thought I taught dry suit diving.
