dry suit course?

[NAVY21]

I'd say that if there is one course you can go without, it is most likely the dry suit course. Try to get some pool or ocean (calm and somewhere you know) time in with someone who has had one for a while. The course consists of a (this is PADI) movie & book, a very short instrutional session, a pool and 2 ocean dives. The movie was pointless, it covered everything in the book just slower and with a vintage 80s feel to it (always a nice touch, i know). So the bulk of the cost is for you to go to a pool and dive site and go diving-you can do that for free with an experienced buddy. I just say this after taking my dry suit course and feeling like it was a waste of my time and money...it really isn't that hard to pick up at all.

 

[spectrum]

If I'd give one piece of advice it would be to get all of your items first then start diving dry. This will let you nail your configuration and go forward.

I started with my neoprene suit and just common sweats, got the configuration close.

Added a DUI weight & Trim and polypro undwerwear got the configuration close.

Not I have a T100 undergarmant I'm geting ready to christen and again I will need to sort out weights and positions. Hopefully this is it for a while.

I'm doing fine but I'm looking forward to a stable set-up so I can have time UW to move onto other goals.

I didn't bother with the course. Did some reading. Dove with other DS divers starting in confined coves. Took time to challenge the suit with some inversions. Making it habit to not run a bubble in the suit. IMO if you avoid running a bubble and only have enough air in there for loft you should not have many surprises as long as you pay attention to the dump valve.

Pete

 

[oly5050user]

I'd say that if there is one course you can go without, it is most likely the dry suit course. Try to get some pool or ocean (calm and somewhere you know) time in with someone who has had one for a while. The course consists of a (this is PADI) movie & book, a very short instrutional session, a pool and 2 ocean dives. The movie was pointless, it covered everything in the book just slower and with a vintage 80s feel to it (always a nice touch, i know). So the bulk of the cost is for you to go to a pool and dive site and go diving-you can do that for free with an experienced buddy. I just say this after taking my dry suit course and feeling like it was a waste of my time and money...it really isn't that hard to pick up at all.

sounds like it was the instructor not the course..Did you go over with instructor not just how to use suit but care / repairs? different materials used in construction? different undergarments/materials they are made of? Different weight systems that are available? Benefits and drawback of each?The acad presentation usually takes at least 3 evening sessions not including replace seal demo..
Yes there is a pool session and then the ow dives..
I find that after the course the diver is better informed on what type of suit/materials would best fit their needs. This is for a padi course..

 

[Diesel298]

sounds like it was the instructor not the course..Did you go over with instructor not just how to use suit but care / repairs? different materials used in construction? different undergarments/materials they are made of? Different weight systems that are available? Benefits and drawback of each?The acad presentation usually takes at least 3 evening sessions not including replace seal demo..
Yes there is a pool session and then the ow dives..
I find that after the course the diver is better informed on what type of suit/materials would best fit their needs. This is for a padi course..

that being the case should one take a special class if somone switches from a stab jacket to a BP/W?
all the stuff you said .. yes its important, but really a class to decide wjat undergarment to use?
that all ends up being a this is what i wanna sell ya lesson anyway

 

[N.E.Diver]

dont you have a friend who has a suit?
any respectable shop should teach that for free if ya got the suit from them other than that..... save your money
seriousley

I agree 100%. When I was looking into a suit the owner said if I bought it he would spend some time with me at the pool at his next pool session and teach me the basics. I would not spend the money anywhere else including the net because of things like this at my local shop. I am guessing if you asked for the same service you would get it.

 

[lakewinni]

I agree that it may not be the most important course you'll ever take but let me ask you some questions... Do you know how open you want to dive your drysuits dump valve? Did you know that you rarely ever need to push it down when ascending? How exactly do you control your bouyancy? Do you know how to easily and smoothly dump air while maintaining a smooth streamlined orientation in the water? Do you know how to exactly move to avoid a feet first ascent if your inflator sticks or you go feet up in shallow water? Do you know how to exactly install a pee valve? Do you know the advantages and disadvantages of rock boots verus soled socks? Do you know the differences between neoprene and trilaminate drysuits? Do you what a 300 polartec is and what a 400 B grade thinsulate is? Furthermore do you know which one maybe save your life if the suit floods in cold water? Do you know to use dry gloves and there drawbacks?
Alright I'm done. I'm just making the point that there is a lot to be learned in a high quality drysuit course. Its up to you to make your own decisions though and yes many very good divers take the course and are fine.

 

[Diesel298]

this thread ranks up there with mask on forhead no mask on forhead....

 

[DavidInNH]

I bought my first DS last year and did a few dives before taking the course. (The course was not originally offered by my shop when I bought the suit, but after I asked them for it, they allowed me to take it for no cost. This is frequently/usually(?) included along with the suit purchase.)

I'd definitely recommend taking the course. Even though I had used the suit before the course, the guidance and fine-tuning of buoyancy, etc. I got from the out-dives was worth the time.

 

[Diesel298]

any respectable shop should give that class for free when you buy a suit from them