Drysuit training resources

[burna]

Hey Everyone,

I've just ordered my first drysuit and would like to do as much reading about their use as possible before I get it.

At this stage I'm not planning to do a drysuit course but see if I can find someone who can go for a splash under a pier with me instead.

Failing that, even if I do end up doing a drysuit course, I'd still like to read up as much as possible.

I have found a couple of sites with some (what seems to be) good info.
http://www.dui-online.com/tech_myths.htm

http://www.skin-diver.com/departments/waterwork/coldwaterdivingdrysuit.asp

If anyone knows of any other/better online resources about using or learning to use a drysuit or where I could get some training notes or the like, I'd be most grateful.

Thanks in advance

 

[dave4868]

Those websites seem to be pretty good.

A Google search of "drysuit emergency" brings up the following useful preview from "Dry Suit Diving- A Guide to Diving Dry", by Barsky, Long, & Stinton.

Dry Suit Diving: A Guide to Diving Dry - Google Book Search

The book is an excellent guide, IMHO.

Dry Suit Diving Book - Scuba Diving Book from Hammerhead Press

For someone with good common sense, I'd say it could easily suffice as their primary resource for learning to use a drysuit. The knowledge it provides, combined with about 10 minutes of practice in the water, will probably get you started safely.

Dave C

 

[burna]

I found that book too but wasn't sure what it was like. I have read some mixed reviews of the DVD.

I might order myself a copy, I'm just surprised that somewhere out there in the WWW someone hasn't produced something similar on a website. There's pages and pages of just about everything else to do with diving.

Cheers

 

[CoralSeaMan]

Actually diving with a drysuit is really about practice. The knowledge that a thorough course can impart is about maintenance, problems, and general theories about keeping warm. The Hammerhead material is useful but not that different in content from the padi material and I assume other agencies'. I would encourage a class with the written material, but I am prone to want a very detailed approach to such things.

 

[helimvee]

I guess this is where the Brick and Motar dive shop comes in handy. I just ordered a drysuit through my LDS. Part of the deal is that they teach the drysuit course for free. I did have to purchase the PADI book and DVD for $60 +/-. Course is classroom - pool - openwater.

 

[burna]

I've ordered mine thru an LDS too, but I don't think I'll be getting a course thrown in as I've got them to price match another store which is several hundreds of dollars less than their "special sale" price.