Do I Need A Drysuit Course?

[markfm]

Ooh, anything but ankle weights!

What should matter, end of the day, is whether you are comfortable with your gear, able to keep your trim clean, know how to handle "whoops" events. For me the course forced me to do disconnect/reconnect of the DS LP hose, practice the rolls to right myself if I start a feet-first, several other things, all valuable. I needed ankle weights at first, did get rid of them after about 10 DS dives, but don't see why anyone should care if a person uses them or not. I use my BC for buoyancy, but certainly have no reason to think that someone using their DS is doing anything wrong.

(Then again I'm undoubtedly going to Diver's Heck when I die, since I don't seem to fit anyone's idea of doing everything right, but I have fun )

 

[mdb]

Ooh, anything but ankle weights!

(Then again I'm undoubtedly going to Diver's Heck when I die, since I don't seem to fit anyone's idea of doing everything right, but I have fun )

Markfm: our Aussie and NZ divers might just say "spot on mate" the rigid folks now have their "following". Truth is, diving changes, day to day, ocean to ocean, there is no "right way".

 

[Jim Ernst]

i will be using a dry suit in WA over thanksgiving weekend, i took a intro course and i hope that is going to be enough for this trip, any comments - suggestions welcome

 

[dbg40]

Never fails,,, DIR, or die.
and the condescending attitude forever drips down on the "lesser, soon to die ,divers.
Tiny little tanks? bad bouancy? While I do agree that bouancy should be achieved with the bouancy compensator, the delivery stinks, as always. Try teaching, not beating.

 

[String]

I totally disagree with you about the drysuit course not serving any useful purpose.

Thats fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Thats what these things are for.

I've seen drysuit divers do out of control ascents many times. The course certainly would have served them a useful purpose don't you think?

So have i and ive had to chase and catch a fair few people its happened to as well. However, a lot of these people DID have a course. What they lack was the experience . They all knew the theory and had usually 2 shallow plops as part of their overpriced course. However they STILL lacked the practical experience in using the suit. The course was no help to them and absolutely nothing that cant be taught by an experienced suit user. Im not advocating just putting a suit on and jumping in but am totally against what i class as a ripoff - getting money for a very quick simple task which no useful real world purpose. Ive seen just as many drysuit incidents from people that have done a drysuit "speciality" as from people who havent. The course itself does not noticably reduce the chances of them having an incident (nor does it increase it). Ive also seen the syllabus of these courses and the lessons. Im of the opinion it doesnt help and certainly provides nothing an existing user cant provide.

That's it? I would love to think my students pay money for some tools that will serve them well

Quite possibly but having seen the syllabus for the drysuit courses you dont get a lot for your money at all. Its certainly nothing that an experienced user cant impart.

including the opportunity to ask questions about a topic without being made fun of which happens all to often with buddy teachers.

It does? Maybe they want to pick better people to ask or new buddys. Generally from my experience if someone asks a question or asks for help divers tend to respond sensible, truthfully and without looking down or ridicule.

 

[String]

Also, Soggy, you hit upon a difference. I am a much more of a "light weight", diving no deco only and single 80s only. And, yeah, I do use ankle weights.

I see no problem with that. Again, lots of propaganda out there, a lot spouted by zealots of a certain agency.

Ankle weights are just trim weights. Thats it. Nothing technical, nothing evil at all. If with ankle weights your trim is good and buoyancy is good there is absolutely no reason not to wear them. Other people mess with the tank height, V & P weights, weight pockets etc to try to adjust their trim or counter floating feet. This is no different to their techniques except you're putting the weight elsewhere. Its no different to the messing about on the BC/Wing other than the location.

If they work for you - great. Go diving and enjoy it.

 

[JeffG]

I needed ankle weights at first, did get rid of them after about 10 DS dives

Read what you wrote....You thought you needed them..but you didn't.

but don't see why anyone should care if a person uses them or not.

But if they are not needed...are we not doing them a service by saying so?

 

[JeffG]

Never fails,,, DIR, or die.
and the condescending attitude forever drips down on the "lesser, soon to die ,divers.
Tiny little tanks? bad bouancy? While I do agree that bouancy should be achieved with the bouancy compensator, the delivery stinks, as always. Try teaching, not beating.

NT

 

[markfm]

In my case the ankle weights were based on my overall need for beaucoup weight right at the very start, plus bad trim.

I've seen a person with decent experience use ankle weights in various situations, don't think it was bad. I know that it absolutely means more total energy expended for me, since I no longer need them, but it's a don't care if someone else needs them.

Kind of like the absolutely-must-have-minimum-weight approach. Sure I focused on dropping pounds, which directly correlated to my personal comfort and form. Now I'm purposefully adding some weight, compensating for total loss of air in my tank and pony plus a couple of extra lb for working with students. In other words I now dive at least 2, and often 4, pounds more than I really "need", in a minimum weight at 500 psi sense, yet am entirely happy doing so.

A given person probably won't need them after a while, depending on their gear and characteristics, especially if they're really new and working on that initial weight/trim curve, but if they choose to keep them, no biggie, it's not hurting me or anyone else. Certainly not something to be harsh about. At 5 dives I did need them, things weren't clean yet; at 20 I didn't need them, yet having them early on at least gave me a feel for what things were like when my trim was correct and I was horizontal.

Circumstances change -- just keep breathing, don't pet the electric rays

 

[Soggy]

Ankle weights are just trim weights. Thats it. Nothing technical, nothing evil at all. If with ankle weights your trim is good and buoyancy is good there is absolutely no reason not to wear them.

I would agree, yet I have not seen a single drysuit diver with ankle weights dive in good trim (or even close)....not one. The other problem is the fact that you have to overcome more inertia to kick with them on your ankles, thus everything is more work.