Cold water diving is a PITA

[jIM STEELE]

just got back from scuba night at rossi pool rex has been sick he is back now we had 17 divers in pool tonight great time

---------- Post added April 9th, 2013 at 11:12 AM ----------

rex phone at the sf rec dpt.415 203 2075

 

[billt4sf]

Considerable Improvement!

We went to a pool yesterday, Diver Dan’s in Santa Clara. There was a GUE diver there who is also an instructor, named Doug Simmons. I thought we were pretty close and needed just a bit of help – Doug ended up spending the better part of four hours with us! First we went through the adjustment of the webbing – again – and added the hoses we had been lacking to our new regs (we purchased HOG regs with long hoses). That took two hours. When I did my giant stride entry from poolside, I didn't have one of my feet quite at the edge of the pool so I twisted my foot (lesson earned the hard way). Still hurts but it will be fine.

As soon as I descended, I liked the BP/W ! I had no rolling, no control problems that weren’t due to the drysuit. We used AL tanks this time, maybe next time I should try the steel tanks again to see if I have problems with them like I did before. Also I ended up dropping 10 lbs of weight and then I was just barely able to descend. Doug said I would need to add that back on in the ocean. My new HOG reg was free-flowing so we had to set the small lever to the "non-dive" setting, not sure what's going on there.

Emily’s situation wasn't good, however. Her tank was shifting on her BP/W, it could roll to either side and could twist so it wasn't along her spine. We think she needs a Single Tank Adapter, and/or I could see that the tank straps did not go through the BP. So we’re going to fix those problems and try again.

The cost of using the pool was $25 per person – no, that’s not a typo. I think you can only be in the pool if an instructor is present though. We “rented” DUI drysuits, which have some advantages over the Whites Fusion we had been using – and boy did those make a HUGE difference! The DUI suits have removable neck seals and wrist seals, so they could be “sized” to us. No more choking neck seals! YAY!! We will definitely rent these babies instead of the Whites Fusion, which do not have the modular neck and wrist seals (although they can be adjusted for the individual, renters cannot do so). Since we didn't use the DS outside of the pool – no charge! NICE! Same with tanks – no charge for pool use! So we paid $50 total, plus the tip we gave to Doug. Diver Dan’s rentals are $75 for DS with thermals for a week! They are a large shop with quite a bit more equipment than we have seen at almost any other dive shop we have been in, including ones in Hawaii. They even had the Single Tank Adapter and a bungee for necklace! We didn't pay the shop much, but they did get two new customers.

Now I think we *are* really close to having our rigs working. I still need lots more practice with the DS to feel really comfortable. One more pool session should do it, then for the real test.

Thanks to Teresa for mentioning Divers Dan’s with Todd and Doug! And thanks to Jim Steele for mentioning the idea of a pool!

 

[fisheater]

Considerable Improvement!

We went to a pool yesterday, Diver Dan’s in Santa Clara. There was a GUE diver there who is also an instructor, named Doug Simmons. I thought we were pretty close and needed just a bit of help – Doug ended up spending the better part of four hours with us! First we went through the adjustment of the webbing – again – and added the hoses we had been lacking to our new regs (we purchased HOG regs with long hoses). That took two hours. When I did my giant stride entry from poolside, I didn't have one of my feet quite at the edge of the pool so I twisted my foot (lesson earned the hard way). Still hurts but it will be fine.

As soon as I descended, I liked the BP/W ! I had no rolling, no control problems that weren’t due to the drysuit. We used AL tanks this time, maybe next time I should try the steel tanks again to see if I have problems with them like I did before. Also I ended up dropping 10 lbs of weight and then I was just barely able to descend. Doug said I would need to add that back on in the ocean. My new HOG reg was free-flowing so we had to set the small lever to the "non-dive" setting, not sure what's going on there.

Emily’s situation wasn't good, however. Her tank was shifting on her BP/W, it could roll to either side and could twist so it wasn't along her spine. We think she needs a Single Tank Adapter, and/or I could see that the tank straps did not go through the BP. So we’re going to fix those problems and try again.

The cost of using the pool was $25 per person – no, that’s not a typo. I think you can only be in the pool if an instructor is present though. We “rented” DUI drysuits, which have some advantages over the Whites Fusion we had been using – and boy did those make a HUGE difference! The DUI suits have removable neck seals and wrist seals, so they could be “sized” to us. No more choking neck seals! YAY!! We will definitely rent these babies instead of the Whites Fusion, which do not have the modular neck and wrist seals (although they can be adjusted for the individual, renters cannot do so). Since we didn't use the DS outside of the pool – no charge! NICE! Same with tanks – no charge for pool use! So we paid $50 total, plus the tip we gave to Doug. Diver Dan’s rentals are $75 for DS with thermals for a week! They are a large shop with quite a bit more equipment than we have seen at almost any other dive shop we have been in, including ones in Hawaii. They even had the Single Tank Adapter and a bungee for necklace! We didn't pay the shop much, but they did get two new customers.

Now I think we *are* really close to having our rigs working. I still need lots more practice with the DS to feel really comfortable. One more pool session should do it, then for the real test.

Thanks to Teresa for mentioning Divers Dan’s with Todd and Doug! And thanks to Jim Steele for mentioning the idea of a pool!

Good to hear!!

 

[Peter_C]

Considerable Improvement!

YIPPY!!

My new HOG reg was free-flowing so we had to set the small lever to the "non-dive" setting, not sure what's going on there.

Instead of turning it to pre-dive, did you try turning the knob in half a turn? A primary that breathes a little "hot" is okay as it can be adjusted out with the knob. Any well tuned reg will free-flow when turned up, but in mouth shouldn't free flow.

Emily’s situation wasn't good, however. Her tank was shifting on her BP/W, it could roll to either side and could twist so it wasn't along her spine. We think she needs a Single Tank Adapter, and/or I could see that the tank straps did not go through the BP. So we’re going to fix those problems and try again.

The cam bands definitely need to go thru the plate. That Mach V wing has roll control pieces built into it. The two sex bolts might cause some looseness and could be removed, but it might make setup a little harder. An STA is an option and they even have weighted STA's. Not my preference, but I have a home built rail on my single tank setup.

They even had the Single Tank Adapter and a bungee for necklace! We didn't pay the shop much, but they did get two new customers.

Please tell me the bungee is actual bungee cord not one of the silicon Mantra deals that slip off the mouthpiece way to easy...Ask Fisheater ^ how he liked his so much I think it made it two dives, and went to real bungee cord.

Sounds like a store I need to stop into at some point in life just to see what they offer.

Now I think we *are* really close to having our rigs working. I still need lots more practice with the DS to feel really comfortable. One more pool session should do it, then for the real test.

It is amazing what time spent training can do not only for confidence, but simply in refinement. Did you two get a chance to work on fin kicks and trim? Another day in the pool would definitely add to your enjoyment for both warm and cold water.

FWIW if you ever decide to get your own drysuits the neck seals can be made removable on most any brand. DUI's are nice but pricey.

 

[Wineaux]

Bill, I am glad to hear things are getting better. As a new drysuit/new diver I have been following your story. I haven't tried another drysuit to have reference but I can agree that the rental I got from Diver Dan's was very good. I had been reading about struggles with drysuits and was surprised how easy it seemed for me. Hopefully that stays true next Monday when I use it for a deep dive class!

 

[jeffchandler1]

So, with regard to cold water diving in Monterey, what's wrong with a 7mm semi dry with attached hood? I've been out with the dry suit divers, and without exception you all futz around with the gear, duct taping leaks and screwing with bouyancy. I don't even like diving with you dry suitors cause you take too long to get in the water. There's just no advantage to the dry suit. Buy a good wetsuit and enjoy the ride.

 

[Wineaux]

My boyfriend and I just got semi-drys and on the one dive with them so far they seemed to work well. We both got water in them but are hoping having the seals fitted for us will help with that. We will definitely use them over the summer.

For me, I can just say that I really struggle with cold and have found it hard to stay warm enough between dives to enjoy or even go on a 2nd dive. In my Advanced/dry suit class I stayed warm and was able to make and enjoy my 2nd dive. My class next week will be deep dives so I want the added warmth of the dry suit.

 

[billt4sf]

YIPPY!!


Instead of turning it to pre-dive, did you try turning the knob in half a turn? A primary that breathes a little "hot" is okay as it can be adjusted out with the knob. Any well tuned reg will free-flow when turned up, but in mouth shouldn't free flow. .

Peter,

Yes, we tried this first. In the end, We had to set it to "pre-dive" *and* turn the knob half in.

- Bill

---------- Post added April 28th, 2013 at 01:07 PM ----------

Please tell me the bungee is actual bungee cord not one of the silicon Mantra deals that slip off the mouthpiece way to easy...Ask Fisheater ^ how he liked his so much I think it made it two dives, and went to real bungee cord. .

The bungee is an actual bungee. To begin the day we had some yellow giveaways from which the reg slipped on occasion I was glad to see that we could purchase the pre-made bungees, since I am not confident how to make them out of bungee cord. Still need to buy one more.

 

[Hepcat62]

I'm glad you guys were able to get the fit issues sorted out relatively quickly. Doug's a great guy, and an excellent diver.

Were the regs actually in a full free-flow, or just continuously "purging a bit", and do you have the hard front covers for the second stages or the soft rubber covers? When I got mine, I noticed that the stem in the back of the soft rubber cover (which actuates the purge) was a bit long and caused a continual light purge, and could lead to a fairly easy free-flow. Trimming the stem back just slightly cleared up the issue.

 

[Peter_C]

Were the regs actually in a full free-flow, or just continuously "purging a bit", and do you have the hard front covers for the second stages or the soft rubber covers? When I got mine, I noticed that the stem in the back of the soft rubber cover (which actuates the purge) was a bit long and caused a continual light purge, and could lead to a fairly easy free-flow. Trimming the stem back just slightly cleared up the issue.

Theirs have the hard covers. Sounds to me like it just needs a 1/8th turn. Kinda like my Scubapro regs needed, and my friends brand new Zeagle. A little tweak is not unusual.