Dry Suit Diving Questions

[WVMike]

I just got my first dry suit, a Henderson artic II, neoprene.
The PADI manual and the instructions with the suit, say to use the suit for bouyancy control and not the BC.

My instructor does not agree, and I think I have seen similar opinions expressed on the Board.

My first two dives I tried using just the suit, and I am thinking combo of a little air in suit and rest in BC would be better.

I am interested in the opinion of the experienced dry suit divers on the board on this and proper use of automatic exhaust valve. TIA

Mike

 

[Scuba Cowboy]

I just got my first dry suit, a Henderson artic II, neoprene.
The PADI manual and the instructions with the suit, say to use the suit for bouyancy control and not the BC.

My instructor does not agree, and I think I have seen similar opinions expressed on the Board.

My first two dives I tried using just the suit, and I am thinking combo of a little air in suit and rest in BC would be better.

I am interested in the opinion of the experienced dry suit divers on the board on this and proper use of automatic exhaust valve. TIA

Mike

Your instructor is correct, use the BC for bouyancy control & just enough air in suit to keep warm and offset squeeze. I have tried using just the suit, way to much air shifting around. I dive a neoprene drysuit, and with an automatic deflator valve you can leave it in the open position throughout the dive and it will dump upon ascent. Watch your ascent speed! It is possible to ascend faster than the valve can dump resulting in even faster ascent. Have fun and enjoy your new found warmth!

 

[ABQdiver]

If you use your DS for buoyancy control you often defeat the purpose. With a large amount of air in the suit it tends to move around, making your trim terrible. Plus with a BC you have at least two points to release air if needed upon ascent and with a DS you have only one.

A lot of the DS instruction booklets say to use the suit for buoyancy control, however I (and many others) find this to be outdated and even dangerous to the diver.

Keep minimum air in your suit, just enough to off set the squeeze. You will find that the suit will squeeze you some, just don't let it hurt. I tend to open the release valve all the way then back off two clicks and leave it that way through out the dive.

 

[WVMike]

Dale and Kevin,

Thanks for the advice, that was what I was hoping to hear. In just using the suit I did have a big bubble across my shoulders and alot of auto dumping and then refilling. I had to go through some contortions to dump enough air to stay at 15 feet for safety stop.

I did certainly enjoy the new found warmth, and dry surface interval.

Good Diving

Mike

 

[jumbo]

I believe that some dry suit manufacters are required tell you that for insurance reasons, they have no control over your other bouyancy deivices, i may be wrong, if any one knows for sure I would like to hear about it. but I definentally agree with the previous post(S).

 

[theskull]

Learn to use the suit as your buoyancy compensator. . . and then don't dive that way. Your suit is a redundant system, and you need to be capable of using it if needed.
Your instructor is correct to use the BC for buoyancy and just enough air in the suit to keep the squeeze off you (vent full open). The main reason new dry divers are taught to use the suit for buoyancy is so they can focus on one task. Most instructors/agencies think that 2 inflators and 2 dumps is too much for an inexperienced diver to control while learning. I disagree; if you keep very minimal air in the suit you will still be "controlling" 1 source of buoyancy--the BC. Also, if you do get in a little trouble while ascending you can dump air much faster from a BC than from the suit dump valve!

theskull

 

[SDAnderson]

Just one more vote for putting just enough gas into your drysuit to take the squeeze off and to maximize the R value of your underwear - that's what it's for.

Use your BC to control your bouyancy - that's what it's for.

As far as the valve does, I open on the surface when it's time to start the dive and don't close it until I'm on the surface again. It pretty much takes care of itself.

The recommendation to practice using your suit for bouyancy control is a good one. It is your back up and you should what to do if you need it.

 

[scubasean]

Use your BC to control your bouyancy - that's what it's for.

<snip>

The recommendation to practice using your suit for bouyancy control is a good one. It is your back up and you should what to do if you need it.

I second this, or third it...whichever is next.

 

[loosebits]

There are other ways to vent air from the suit. One is the Emergency Rapid Neck Dump Maneuver. This only works if you are in an upright position. The more drastic maneuver is the Economically Detreimental Material Seperation Maneuver but this requires that a dive knife be handy.

 

[Snowbear]

My instructor does not agree...

Looks like you found a good instructor