Drysuit Certification Necessary?

[ppo2_diver]

You do need training to use a dry suit. A good instructor will put you into positions that can happen when diving dry (i.e. feet first ascent, stuck inflator, etc.).

You do not need a c-card. However, I do know some shops in my area that require the card to rent a suit. Find an independant instructor to do your class. It will only take about 4 hours on one day. It may also be cheaper that paying for the class from a LDS.

 

[RonFrank]

I really trust this guy, but I wanted to get others opinions. Do you think a 'drysuit certification' is necessary? :huh:

I dove dry about 6 dives before taking my *certification*. The ONLY reason I did the class was because a buddy who was already certified won the class in a LDS raffel drawing, and gave it to me.

I did not learn anything new in the class, but it was good practice to dive dry in a pool, and under the watchful eye of an instructor.

It also forced me to do some things I may not have normally done like doing toe stands on a platform (OW) and in the pool on the bottom.

I say that a certification is NOT necessary. I don't even feel an instructor is necessary if you have some friends who are experienced divers who dive dry.

The instructor is NOT going to prevent you from making mistakes. Just take it slow, and be careful of squeeze, and don't overfill the suit. If it's a neoprene suit based on what I've discussed with others, they are a bit easier to learn on. The shell suits are a bit easier to overfill, and that can definately put in in an ascent! I had one happen on about my 10th dive dry, I just was not paying attention, overfilled the suit, and next thing I knew I was heading North! I stopped the ascent, but not until I'd gone up 20 feet!

Another thing to work out that a class would help a bit with is your weighting. Make sure you have enough lead. IMO more is better than too little.

 

[eclipse785]

Thanks for everyone's quick (and thorough) responses. To be honest I am an intermediate diver and have perhaps 100 dives. I am well aware of the added complications of a drysuit and I want to make sure I get the right training without sacrificing safety. Although I am aware that there are divers out there who are 'self-taught' drysuit divers, I have absolutely no plans on taking that kind of risk. The only way I would even consider not getting the certification is by doing the two-tank dive with a knoweldgeable diver (hopefully an instructor).

ScubaPolly,.. you do raise a good point about the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I have submitted a voulenteer aplication, but apparently the list is long. But your right,.. If I ever try to dive there with a drysuit, they'll probably want a c-card.

** also I just noticed that there's a similar thread to this one on ScubaBoard. Sorry for not searching in advance.

 

[kidspot]

Sounds like you found a good shop - One option that was presented to me, after diving dry for a while was an instructor offered to combine it with another class I was taking, just so I would have the card... unfortunately he and I didn't discuss it till after the class was over, but it's a valid point - wait till you take Nitrox, or rescue and ask if they'll throw in the DS course for the cost of the cert.

As far as learning, I just had a friend go diving with me who used to dive dry (not too many dry divers over here) and he gave me a couple of pointers, but it was not a big learning curve, just a matter of paying attention and planning ahead I find. fwiw I had about 100 dives at the time as well.

Aloha, Tim

 

[dbulmer]

Eclipse,
4 bits of advice.
1) Find a good teacher
2) Make sure the suit is a good fit - ie point 1 find a good teacher
3) Don't be overweighted - it can bite you in the rear.
Work on proper weighting ie point 1 again.

4) Slow down your diving for a while and get used to drysuit diving. It takes some time to adjust - practice in shallow water ie 20 feet or less and then gradually increase the depth to your certification level.

 

[oly5050user]

thUOTE=eclipse785]Hi guys,
I just purchased a slightly used drysuit from a member on here and it looks to be perfect for me. This weekend I went to several LDS's to check out Drysuit certification courses and the prices varied widely (anywhere from $250 to $140). One shop owner even tried to talk me out of getting a certification and just pay an instructor that he'd hook me up with $80 to take me out on a two-tank "educational" dive. He contends that the books don't teach you anything that you won't learn diving with a credible instructor, and that it's stupid to pay up to $80 more just for a card that you will never use. My only concern about this is that what if I go somewhere on vacation and decide to rent a drysuit for a dive. He assured me that if I had even the slightest plans to dive, that I should just take my suit since I would be familiar with it and that rental suits have their own character and usually are quite abused.

I really trust this guy, but I wanted to get others opinions. Do you think a 'drysuit certification' is necessary? :huh:[/QUOTE]

is it necessary-maybe not..but the facility saying the "books" don;t teach you anything is wrong..the speciality course ,when taught properly will teach you not only how to dive the suit but care and maintence of it..emergency procedures ,repairs like seal replacement,leak repairs etc..well worth it especially if facility offers speciality free with purchase of suit..I charge $250. for course-free on new suit purchases..

 

[c555]

I got drysuit trained as part of the advanced course. It was just one of the five specialty sections. It only cost about $100 more for the rental, pool time, and 5 dives with an instructor. I didn't get a card or any other proof but so far i haven't needed it.

 

[K9trnr]

Thanks for everyone's quick (and thorough) responses. To be honest I am an intermediate diver and have perhaps 100 dives. I am well aware of the added complications of a drysuit and I want to make sure I get the right training without sacrificing safety. Although I am aware that there are divers out there who are 'self-taught' drysuit divers, I have absolutely no plans on taking that kind of risk. The only way I would even consider not getting the certification is by doing the two-tank dive with a knoweldgeable diver (hopefully an instructor).

Good for you. You don't necessarily need to take a formal course, but you do need to be aware of the additional considerations with drysuit diving. It sounds like you'll do well with whatever route you take since you're approaching it with the right attitude.

 

[victor]

My LDS in germany gave us a couple of dives as part of the deal when I bought my dry suit. You don't need a C card.
You need to have some one experienced with you when you first use them to show you the tricks of the trade.
It takes a bit of messing aroung to get your weights right and then sorting out your trim is very important.
Learn how to get out of a feet up situation on your first dive. It will happen and you feel like a complete fool when you are stuck with all the air in your ankles.
Have fun

 

[markfm]

I like "slow down" for the first handful of dives, and do believe that spending a bit of time with a pro can be smart. I combined DS and OW, have known other divers, pretty experienced, who bought their DS, used them for a bit, then took a class to get some one-on-one time to work the dumping and shallow water skills.

I went out for a funsie dive about a month back, my regular buddy and someone new to the area, but with about 60 dives. A popular shore dive wreck runs from about 35 - 55', with a return at about 25'. I noticed the new person was running slightly above me and my buddy, so kept an eye on him. A foot first ascent started on the return leg, fortunately near the flag tie-off where there's a nice chunk of steel that we tie the flags to. I was able to grab the diver, and the steel, motion my buddy over to lend a hand so I could rotate the person upright and get him to dump air.
Turned out his shoulder dump was closed most of the way, not open -- one of those little things you pick up working with an instructor...

(Could you learn it with any good mentor? Sure. Does spending a bit of focus time, reading a book, plus pool time, plus a DS-focused dive, help? Yes.)