first ow and weight

[The Kraken]

Horsemen,
All of the previous posters have touched just about every aspect of weighting and buoyancy.

I'd like to touch upon two things, if I may?

#1: When you do your open water dives (as opposed to the confined water(pool work) dives) be prepared to experience a rather quick loss of buoyancy at about 13-18 feet due to the loss buoyancy of your wet suit caused by the compression of the water. It can be rather startling!

#2: There are tradeoffs when wearing thick neoprene. The added insulation (thickness and resulting increase of mass and reduction of density) requires extra weight to overcome the inherent buoyancy. The weight needed to descend and to maintain a safety stop will, at depth, make you feel over weighted. As far as the laws of physics apply to buoyancy and submerged masses as we know them TODAY, there is nor remedy for this "overweighted" condition at depth. Actually you are not overweighted because this is the amount of weight that is required to enable you to both descend and to maintain a safety stop with neutral buoyancy with a depleted tank.

Sometimes it takes a little while and a little work, buy I'm sure you will accomplish your goals.

Safe dives . . .
. . . safer ascents

the K

 

[spectrum]

i know a few thing i need to work on from the pool like clearing the regulator. not to bad when i have air to blow it but with no air clearing i dont like the feel of the water in the mouth . and i know tomorrow at the beach dive the salt water taste will get me.

First off I hope all went well. Many classes I'm affraid have gaps, asking questiions here is a good way to revisit a topic. Read all of the responses since differing methods and viewpoints are not uncommon. Anything a dive shop tells you shoul be considered carefully. Most are good people but they are almost certain to speak in such a was as to position their product in the best light.

This is probably water over the dam by now but for the benefit of lurkers I'd like to speak to the regulator recovery without the benefit of a full breath.

This was not covered per se in our class so during "free time" I asked the instructor. Just replace the regulator in your mouth and pop the purge, voila. As always make that first breath tentative. Practice it so you will be confident. We did it starting in the shallow end where standin up was an option then I the deep end. Don't ask me why teaching this twist on the skill is not universal, after all I don't think someone kicking my regulator out of my moyj will be timing it to my respiration. Asking this question show that you're not following blindly.

As for the salt water... Get used to it, that's where the fun is. Seriously though any scuba student or future student can do themselves a world of good by getting out there skindiving before or during the course. It's an easy way to develop your basic kick, tone those legs to avoid cramps and get comfortable being on the surface. Do "mouth piece" recovery with your snorkel, you can even flood your mask and practice swimming with it off, all without needing pool time and you're in the real enviornment. As this month Dive Training Magazine features the surface portion of a dive and points out that this can be the most awkard part with all of the gear.

Good luck,

Pete