But I do want to dive this way....

[Peter Guy]

Some of you might remember a mini-whine/rant post from June that was titled I don't want to dive this way -- which was about finally getting my DM but then being told I couldn't dive in my preferred gear.

Well, there has been a funny update to the story that I thought I'd pass along.

I've been helping out with an OW class with a different instructor than my DM instructor (but the same shop) and "my" DM instructor has also been helping with the class. The primary instructor was over for dinner a few nights ago and tried on my DSS Kydex b/p and looked at the DSS travel wing and became very interested in how light the combo was -- especially since he is getting ready to go on a long trip with some pretty strict weight limits. He asked me to bring the Kydex plate and the travel wing to the pool so that he could try them out. So I did.

WELL, as I'm demonstrating to him (and to the other two DM's) how easy it is to swap out wings (my 30 lb wing for the 17 lb travel wing) the OTHER instructor apparently gets his nose out of joint. I go off to change into my wetsuit and the OTHER instructor (the one who told me NOT to do the checkout dives in my BP/W) comments to the primary instructor that I was likely to get into big trouble with the shop owner for bringing the gear and trying to sell people on it.

Of course the primary instructor looks at him and says, "He wasn't trying to sell us on the gear -- he was doing what I asked him to do and bring it so that I could try it out. He also wants to convince the shop to sell the stuff!"

At the end of the class the primary instructor comes over and says, "This gear is great! Can I borrow it for my trip?"

I guess that maybe I CAN dive this way!

PS He also told my wife what a great handout I created for the class -- the handout was my "Gas Management Cheatsheet" and a list of my favorite diving related web sites (including SB).

 

[Drako]

Rock on man, great story.
thanks for posting up the cheat sheet Ill be passing it on to the GF who is getting her OW finshed up

 

[Blackwood]

good times. How did the OTHER instructor respond?

 

[Louma]

You're going to die using that stuff ........... only kidding! Good job!

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

It'll be interesting to see how the shop owner responds ... isn't the shop up the street (the one Lynne uses) a DSS dealer?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Dr Neil]

Great quick tip for gas management. You need to put your name on it so others who use it can give you credit.

 

[String]

You're going to die using that stuff ........... only kidding!

I got told that twice this weekend and the person telling me was serious.

 

[RiverRat]

That's too funny. I went through a lot of crap during OW-AOW for having "user modified gear" etc. etc. Anyway I worked through it and now DM for the shop every now and then. The owner says I can wear whatever I want (for the most part). I do have a jacket BC I wear for pool stuff every now and then. Now I'm in a new dive club related to the shop and lots of us are getting into technical. Backplates and wings all over the place. It takes time but we can change some of these old beliefs out there in the dive biz.

 

[String]

Most clubs here basic rule is:

Wing - you'll turn face down and die
Nitrox - you'll tox and die
Trimix - You'll shake and die
Twinset - You'll turn face down, sink then die.

---

The only safe diving is a single tank of air and a BCD. Maybe a pony if REALLY brave.

 

[Peter Guy]

Dr Neil -- Done! Just uploaded a revised version which includes my name, DM # and email addy.

GWND -- Yup -- another local shop does sell DSS gear, but at least according to the owner of DSS, there typically aren't any geographic restrictions on shops selling the gear. As far as he's concerned, the more the merrier.

I don't know how the "OTHER" instructor responded -- I wasn't there and he hasn't talked to me about it. The primary instructor and I did get a good laugh out of it.

And yes, having worn this gear, I think I can say with a very high rate of confidence that I will die. My dad is 91, his father died in his 90's -- I figure I have a few years left!