Day 1 and 2 of my Dive Rite Choptima CCR class!

[Meka Nwoke]

Congrats. Sounds like you’ve got it well under control and thanks for your excellent write up. This gives noobs like me something to look forward to. I’ve gone with the BMCL Optima and will be going through the training soon.

thank you! Been learning every day! Looking forward to hearing about your experience.

 

[Meka Nwoke]

Out of curiosity, how do you use a hip mounted can light with the Choptima? I know you need a dring on both sides of your waist, so how do you attach your canister?
That's a general question, not just for the OP

i originally had mine on my right side, between the dring and my plate. I noticed that I was significantly right side heavy, because the O2 valve and first stage are on the right as well. I moved it to my left side, and its worked great thus far.

 

[Meka Nwoke]

Sorry. I should have said if you don’t have one of the qr loops. I hate those loops. Wonder how you’d do it without the qr.

I have not had any challenges with the loops yet tbh. what issues have you had with them?

 

[Meka Nwoke]

Day 5 with the Choptima was great. We enjoyed a leisure 72 min dive, during which we did a few skills. For the most part, we were just diving. We got to capture some nice pictures (All pictures were taken by Paul Heinerth on his GoPro).


I felt pretty comfortable on day 5 tbh. I had a fun dive planned with a CCR diver the afternoon of day 5, so I was hoping I performed satisfactorily and passed, so that I was able to fun dive.

After class, my buddy and I did a 90 minute dive at Buford (same location as class that morning), and it was of course my best CCR dive thus far. Will see if I can post videos.

I have my next dive planned with my JJ buddy for after work this Thursday.

 

[kensuf]

I picked up my Choptima last week and met briefly with my instructor last night. Because he and I have crazy schedules, the crossover won't be until June 28th, but soon. I'm already certified on the backmount Optima, so have a leg up on the unit.

 

[Meka Nwoke]

I picked up my Choptima last week and met briefly with my instructor last night. Because he and I have crazy schedules, the crossover won't be until June 28th, but soon. I'm already certified on the backmount Optima, so have a leg up on the unit.

That will be here before you know it! Sounds like you have a huge leg up. Would love to hear about your experience.