Dry Suit - Learning to dive dry

[TekDiveGirl]

OK - out of curiousity SubMariner - would you consider yourself a "right" instructor?

You sir owe me a new keyboard.

Kimber

 

[Greg D.]

I just got a drysuit for christmas, I didnt take the class, I went out with a buddy who had. and after I had read his book and watched the video, we did a few dives, practiced some skills. I made another dive later in with another buddy and I felt totaly comfortable the following day when I took it past 100ft. Dont worry about it, diving dry is not rocket science, but it sure is nice

 

[SubMariner]

OK - out of curiousity SubMariner - would you consider yourself a "right" instructor?

Wait... lemme see... gots my flippers, my garbage bag with the elastic bands around the wrists & ankles, my long johns, my oxygenz bottle to breeth offa...

Yeah, sure!

:froggy:

 

[peter_dorset]

I just got a drysuit for christmas, I didnt take the class, I went out with a buddy who had. and after I had read his book and watched the video, we did a few dives, practiced some skills.

Greg

Thanks for that, do you remember which book/video you used?

How did you rate the book and video?

Thanks
Peter

 

[GDI]

OK - out of curiousity SubMariner - would you consider yourself a "right" instructor?

now read

OK - out of curiousity (insert Instructor's name) - would you consider yourself a "right" instructor?

Yes I would and if for no other reason then I sell the class and dive in one. I'm an instructor I have to think that way. I have lots of dives in a DS (lots). Funny thing though I actually wear my DS more on a regular basis now living here in Florida then when I lived in Canada. Up north I would wear it continuously starting about end September until about March/April or depending on what type of dive I was doing or if I was doing a lot of dives in a week. My similar warmth wetsuit was/is a two piece farmer john 6mm and it worked fine for the other times. I had my old 6mm on just last week, it was a hoot as I had on all my old equipment diving down memory lane, retro GDI.

But let me say here. It is true That diving a DS is not rocket science. It is one of those classes which other then talking about maintenance, care, emergency situations and buoyancy techniques you have to coach the user through it's characteristics. the more you wear it the better you will adjust to it and be able to switch from wet to dry without any major adjustments. The DS should be looked at like the same way as a BCD. Most new divers get themselves into trouble on ascents because they never were taught or practised using their BCD correctly and thus caused rapid ascents (positive force) or major violations of depth (negative force). These same things can happen in a drysuit and that is where the training comes in. By the way IMO the suit should not be used for controlling buoyancy, use your BCD it will respond faster. I have worked it both ways and believe the BCD is the better method.

 

[RiverRat]

I'd like to comment as I just recently did the DS pool dives. Like was said before, not rocket science but there are some important topics covered. And my instructor firmly believes in using your BC for buoyancy control, not the DS. It was nice to practice blowing up the DS so your legs shoot up, then roll and deflate, in a shallow, safe environment. If I were to offer advise to someone trying to learn off of a video, I would say PRACTICE this stuff in a pool or shallow area, with a good DS diving buddy. DON'T just learn to dive in a DS without learning how to get out of trouble. Maybe it's just me, but heck $200.00 is not a lot of money to spend IF the instructor is good. If the instructor "is good" I always pick up some good pointers. I just hate it when they try to sell me Stab Jackets and Split Fins everytime I take a class

 

[Boogie711]

troll, troll, troll your boat...

I find it sad but amusing that you would accuse me of trolling, simply because it's obvious you're uncomfortable walking through a door YOU opened.

I would expect a more reasonable response. :06:

 

[Greg D.]

Greg

Thanks for that, do you remember which book/video you used?

How did you rate the book and video?

Thanks
Peter

Peter

I used the PADI Drysuit Diver Book and Manual, It was good, pretty basic stuff though, And most every thing is coverd in both the book and the video. I watched and read the set about three times in anticipation of my dry suit Then after I made my first dive I watched it again I think I took it even more seriously without an instructor.
But if you still want to spend that money come over to my house watch the video do the book I will hit you in the head with a 2x4 and take your money and you will walk out feeling the same way as you would at your LDS

 

[OneBrightGator]

Now Greg, let's be reasonable, we all know LDS's use a metal rod, not a 2x4 and they don't go anywhere near your head

 

[jbd]

.....I didnt take the class, I went out with a buddy who had. and after I had read his book and watched the video, we did a few dives, practiced some skills.

What skills did you practice? Did you practice the skills prior to the dives or after the dives?