First Boat Dive

[UnspokenGames112]

I had gotten certified about a year and a half ago and did not do any other diving besides the four open water dives and a warm-up pool session about a month ago. I am diving this Sunday off of a charter boat in New Jersey and I was hoping to get some advice. This is going to be a single tank dive that should be kept fairly shallow with a deepest depth of fifty feet or so. If there is any words of wisdom you would like to share, I'm willing to accept it. Some of the main questions I have are: What is the easiest way to set-up gear and preparation for the boat?

 

[cummings66]

Carry the gear onboard in a mesh bag or a soft bag at any rate so you can remove it in the order needed and then stow the bag out of the way.

There's nothing different about diving from a boat vs a shore or pool as far as setup of your gear goes. If it's a rough day you can set the gear up before you leave port, but that's about all I could say about it. Entries are different of course, as is the rolling motions. If you tend to get seasick stay towards the middle of the boat and look out towards the horizon.

Have fun, I think you're trying to make it more complex than it is. Don't sweat it.

 

[UnspokenGames112]

Carry the gear onboard in a mesh bag or a soft bag at any rate so you can remove it in the order needed and then stow the bag out of the way.

There's nothing different about diving from a boat vs a shore or pool as far as setup of your gear goes. If it's a rough day you can set the gear up before you leave port, but that's about all I could say about it. Entries are different of course, as is the rolling motions. If you tend to get seasick stay towards the middle of the boat and look out towards the horizon.

Have fun, I think you're trying to make it more complex than it is. Don't sweat it.

Yeah, I probably am overexxagerating a bit, but I did have some trouble putting on a wet-suit on the shore even. It took forever. So I was also thinking, should I put it on all the way before we arrive at the spot on the boat using a plastic bag or conditioning spray? It would be quicker and I would be ready when arriving at the spot.

 

[Firebrand]

Don't forget to tip the divemaster & captain! Also, if the conditions you are diving are giong to be rough, and if you have open-heel fins, put the straps on over your wrists as you are climbing back into the boat. If, for some reason, you fall back in the water and need your fins, you'll have them.

 

[piikki]

Yeah, I probably am overexxagerating a bit, but I did have some trouble putting on a wet-suit on the shore even. It took forever. So I was also thinking, should I put it on all the way before we arrive at the spot on the boat using a plastic bag or conditioning spray? It would be quicker and I would be ready when arriving at the spot.

Hi,

My sympathies! I was wary of boats too, and am still going on unkown ones. What kind of wetsuit do you have? And more importantly, do you use a dive-skin under it? What a worthwhile investment that was! It really helps getting the suit on, especially last hard bits when you tend to get sweaty and clammy. Consider if you don't have one, they run in all price groups. Way nicer than any sprays or having your buddy tug and pinch you.

Our regular boat captain really appreciates us having 'bottoms on' when we get on the boat. That means Farmer Johns pants on or if you have a jumpsuit like I do, pull lower body up, and have upper body dangle on your waist until it's time to get the rest of the gear on. Cuts the most unbalanced part of the suiting up from the limited deck space.

Hope this helps

 

[Wayward Son]

Pay attention to the briefing.

You can suit up at the dock, but if it's hot you may be miserable before getting to the dive site. The tanks need to be secured. There should be either bungees or some other means to hold them. If you aren't actually holding your tank, secure it. No failures. A falling tank on a boat is a problem.

They should give you a basic briefing on the boat, location of floats, etc, before you leave dock. Then they should also brief you at the dive site. Pay attention, sometimes those details can be extreemly important.

Enjoy the trip

 

[Dave Zimmerly]

If your prone to sea sickness, take some pills before you go (Triptone).
Nothing worse than watching your dive buddy heaving over the side of the boat.

And by the way, if you do have to heave, make sure you do down wind of the boat.

Bring some dry clothes, especially a hat, to ward of chills.

Bring a bottle of water.

Bring money to tip dive master and boat captain.

 

[ChrisA]

Yeah, I probably am overexxagerating a bit, but I did have some trouble putting on a wet-suit on the shore even. It took forever. So I was also thinking, should I put it on all the way before we arrive at the spot on the boat using a plastic bag or conditioning spray? It would be quicker and I would be ready when arriving at the spot.

You will find the everyone does this. The boat's crew should be able to tell you how long it will take to get to the dive site. And you should know how long it takes you to get you suit on and geared up. So you just keep track of the time. When you see th over tdivers starting to get ready that should be your clue.

You can attach your tank tothe BC in the parking lot and just wear the bc/tank/reg and weights over your cloths, that is the eassiest way to cary the gear from car to boat. Unless it is the custom in your area for the boats to provide tanks and weights (Here in So Cal the custom is BYO)

Unless it is freezing cold or rainning people will want to minimize wearing a wetsuit while out of the water.

Bring a jacket, it is always colder on the water then you think it will be

 

[RonFrank]

I had gotten certified about a year and a half ago and did not do any other diving besides the four open water dives and a warm-up pool session about a month ago. I am diving this Sunday off of a charter boat in New Jersey and I was hoping to get some advice. This is going to be a single tank dive that should be kept fairly shallow with a deepest depth of fifty feet or so. If there is any words of wisdom you would like to share, I'm willing to accept it. Some of the main questions I have are: What is the easiest way to set-up gear and preparation for the boat?

I did a lot of boat diving in FL not that long ago.

I had two bags, my mesh *wet* bag, and my reg bag which I treated as a dry bag. Have EVERYTHING you need to dive with maybe the exception of your computer/dive light in the wet bag. When you board throw the mess bag under the seat where your tanks are, and find a dry spot for your dry bag if it's NOT a true dry bag. This is generally in the cabin up front, or next to the front window on the lower deck. Keep you log book, change of cloths, and anything else you want dry in the dry bag somewhere besides below the seat, cause that area gets wet.

When ready (this could be on the trip out/at the dock/or when instructed) get your gear together. Attach the BCD and Reg to the tank, check your Pressure, pull you fins out and put them under the seat, get your mask together (defog/snorkel if you dive with one). Some like to put their mask in the rinse bucket, as it prevents them from getting stepped/sat on.

When you get about 10 minutes from the site, the DM should tell you to suit up. Now is when you put on everything, and get ready. Suit, booties, computer/dive watch, fins, and crawl into the BCD sitting down. Make sure you have everything you want to dive with before getting into the BCD.

Many people (myself included) put on the bottoms of the wetsuit, and booties prior to the 10 minute call. You may want to do that at the dock if you have problems getting in a wetsuit. When the 10 minute call is given, then you just have to get your top half in.

Pay close attention to the Dive Briefing. Make sure you and your buddy agree on the procedure if you get seperated. Generally one minute look about, and surface to hook back up.

Make sure to check air. Most DM do so as well, but don't count on that. Make sure your equipment is together before entering the water. IOW's fins straps tight, reg in mouth and breathing, BC Inflated, SPG hooked onto the BC, etc.

Common problems I saw when boat diving.. people forgetting to change out there tanks between dives. Air off (generally caught by DM), Loosing mask when entering, having loose gear hit them in the face when entering (loose 2nd in this case).

Don't rush, do a buddy check, and go over your basic UW signals with your buddy if needed. Stay calm, dive Safe, and Have fun!!

 

[mark99]

I did a lot of boat diving in FL not that long ago.

I had two bags, my mesh *wet* bag, and my reg bag which I treated as a dry bag. Have EVERYTHING you need to dive with maybe the exception of your computer/dive light in the wet bag. When you board throw the mess bag under the seat where your tanks are, and find a dry spot for your dry bag if it's NOT a true dry bag. This is generally in the cabin up front, or next to the front window on the lower deck. Keep you log book, change of cloths, and anything else you want dry in the dry bag somewhere besides below the seat, cause that area gets wet.

When ready (this could be on the trip out/at the dock/or when instructed) get your gear together. Attach the BCD and Reg to the tank, check your Pressure, pull you fins out and put them under the seat, get your mask together (defog/snorkel if you dive with one). Some like to put their mask in the rinse bucket, as it prevents them from getting stepped/sat on.

When you get about 10 minutes from the site, the DM should tell you to suit up. Now is when you put on everything, and get ready. Suit, booties, computer/dive watch, fins, and crawl into the BCD sitting down. Make sure you have everything you want to dive with before getting into the BCD.

Many people (myself included) put on the bottoms of the wetsuit, and booties prior to the 10 minute call. You may want to do that at the dock if you have problems getting in a wetsuit. When the 10 minute call is given, then you just have to get your top half in.

Pay close attention to the Dive Briefing. Make sure you and your buddy agree on the procedure if you get seperated. Generally one minute look about, and surface to hook back up.

Make sure to check air. Most DM do so as well, but don't count on that. Make sure your equipment is together before entering the water. IOW's fins straps tight, reg in mouth and breathing, BC Inflated, SPG hooked onto the BC, etc.

Common problems I saw when boat diving.. people forgetting to change out there tanks between dives. Air off (generally caught by DM), Loosing mask when entering, having loose gear hit them in the face when entering (loose 2nd in this case).

Don't rush, do a buddy check, and go over your basic UW signals with your buddy if needed. Stay calm, dive Safe, and Have fun!!

Excellent summary. The most intimidating part of the trip will be the first few minutes aboard, so here are a couple tips about that. When you first come aboard, locate the DM and ask if there is any particular spot you should set up. Most boats here in CA it is "take any open space". If you bring tanks, set the tank into the holder and strap it in. Be sure you lay your tank down if you don't immediately secure it. There will be papers to sign and they'll want to see your C-card. I'd recommend setting up your BC and Reg ASAP at the dock. It's common practice, and a lot easier than after you are underway. Don't forget to wet your BC strap before tightening, I've seen a couple of tanks come loose before. And ditto about the 2 bags- put anything you want to keep dry in one bag, stored in the cabin or other dry storage area. Only exception is your towel, because usually you are not allowed into the dry area once you have a wet wetsuit on. Keep the sunblock, lip block and sunglasses in the wet bag for between dives.

Only other thought is to pack everything ASAP as soon as you finish the last dive. Once the last diver is aboard, the boat heads full speed to the dock, and it is usually a bit rougher on the ride home to try to pack while underway.

Have fun!