Earned my OW referral, and now I have to wait for the ice to clear!

[Trance]

So, I am going to share my excitement this past weekend. I finally, after waiting my whole life, was able to take a scuba course, and had a total blast! I had a class of 6(one quit during pool sessions). Everything felt real natural to me and my instructor was great. Until May comes, I really cannot do anything but research about the hobby. I have been spending some time in my LDS and may be able to get some pool time schedule permitting if there are some small classes, so I hope that I can do that until my OW dives. I used my own BCD (AL Axiom i3) in the course, so I was familiar with it, and found that it was not really designed for use without an exposure suit/more weights, as it rode quite high on me when positively buoyant and pushed me forward. So, I am going to get myself a dedicated pool suit to combat that and work on my weighting/trimming. I have researched my upcoming gear purchases and come May, I should be set! I have not been this excited about anything in a very long time, and look forward to more training and seeing what I have never seen before!

-Trance

 

[Kay Wilson]

Congratulations!

 

[Capt Scotty]

Congratulations on finishing the ​

first step.....now head south to warmer weather finish up and get to diving.....lol

 

[lsorenson]

Nice job... gives you plenty of pool time to work on your trim and buoyancy... I can believe it might be a little tough finding a nice swimming hole up in your neck of the woods right about now...! Again, Congratulations!!! lee

 

[iluvtheocean]

congrats... but an exposure suit (wet or dry) adds to the buoyancy ... so the riding high and pitching forward sound like trim issues between the weights and how high/low the tank is sitting.. also whether or not the tank is AL or steel.

are you looking for doing warm tropical diving like down here in florida or just where you are? if you're staying up there, check with your local shop about what they recommend (??? mil wetsuit or drysuits - even with May weather in your area)

 

[Trance]

Thank you for the replies! The Axiom does not have a velcro belt, and when not wearing any exposure suit so I am not getting that bellysnugging, I am maxed out on my tightening options with trunks and an Underarmour shirt. I wear a Large BCD, the Med-Large was slightly too small, and my physical stats were at the M-L max. I had two different instructors size me and agree on how it fit. They both agreed that once I have a suit in place, that it will snug up properly, and I should have no problems then, plus adding weight will allow it to stay put a bit better. I was using a typical AL80, with the 1st stage at mid neck height from a Mares setup. Adding the 2x-1lbs to my trim pockets helped, but with 10lbs total weight, I really didn't feel like I needed more in the pool. Tho, as I got down to 700 psi I felt I likely could have used another lb or two perhaps. But I noticeably felt the difference between 8lbs and 10lbs.

I will mainly be diving in the Minnesota lakes, and eventually Lake Superior when I feel comfortable. I feel a 2pc 7mm is what I will be getting for my MN diving. I have been looking into some semi-dry suits, but I have no problem owning multiple suits. I'll get a dedicated 3mm pool and snorkeling with the wifey suit.


I would love to get someplace warm to dive, but I need to take my wife on a honeymoon still, and we plan on someplace tropical, for which I will dive It likely will not happen until late summer or later.

 

[rick00001967]

nice to see someone so excited about getting started. congratulations !!
i agree with one of the above posters......use the winter pool time to practice buoyancy control and dial in your trim. just remeber to wear full gear as if you were cold water diving if you want to get the set up right for spring.

 

[Oldbear]

Congrats Trance...your journey is just beginning. Hang on and enjoy the ride.

 

[spectrum]

Congratualtions!

To pass some winter time bring your mask, fins and snorkel to a big public pool and do snorkel laps. You will tone your legs and become cramp proof and if you pay attention become a naturally good kicker. You will also settle into a great deep deliberate breathing pattern that will serve you will on scuba.

After something like 20 minutes of laps slow down and let you body get mellow and work your way up to swimming the length underwater if you are not already there.

Pete

 

[DivemasterDennis]

While I know a number of "ice divers," and that activity is popular around here, I think the idea of waiting for the ice to clear is one I can wholeheartedly embrace. Wait for the ice to clear or go where there is no ice. Congratulations on you achievements up to this point. Debbie and I swim laps in mask and snorkel but no fins for cardio vascular workout, and if you do that you will get more and more comfortable with the mask and with mouth breathing. Fins optional for lap workouts, but if you wear them, be courteous about the wake you can create flying up and down faster than an olympian. And a couple of weeks before your open water dives, get into a pool and set up and use your gear to be sure you are familiar with it. If possible, do a little pool time in the exposure suit you will wear for open waters and get your weight set properly.
Happy Diving?
DivemasterDennis