First Time With Drysuit

[bigk]

HELLO AND THANKS FOR THE ADVICE ON DRY SUIT SIZING. I AM GOING TO GET FITTED ON 2-1-03 AND SHOULD HAVE SUIT AROUND 2-22-03. OK HERES THE QUESTION, I HAVE READ A LITTLE ABOUT THE SUITS AND CHECKED OUT THE BOARD, BUT DOES ANYONE HAVE SOME ADVICE FOR A FIRST TIMER? I PLAN ON USING THE SUIT AS SOON AS I GET IT. I WILL LIMIT MY FIRST COUPLE OF DIVES TO 20-30 FEET DEEP UNTIL I GET SOME DRY TIME. SHOULD I LOOK INTO TAKING A DRY SUIT COARSE OR JUST FIGURE IT OUT. I DID READ ABOUT "THE SQUEEZE" AND ALSO HOW TO SWIM DOWN AND DO A SOMERSAULT IF NEEDED. PLEASE OFFER SOME ADVICE FOR A ROOKIE LIKE MYSELF I HAVE APPROXIMATLY 40 LOGGED OPEN WATER DIVES

 

[Dryglove]

bigk once bubbled...
HELLO AND THANKS FOR THE ADVICE ON DRY SUIT SIZING. I AM GOING TO GET FITTED ON 2-1-03 AND SHOULD HAVE SUIT AROUND 2-22-03. OK HERES THE QUESTION, I HAVE READ A LITTLE ABOUT THE SUITS AND CHECKED OUT THE BOARD, BUT DOES ANYONE HAVE SOME ADVICE FOR A FIRST TIMER? I PLAN ON USING THE SUIT AS SOON AS I GET IT. I WILL LIMIT MY FIRST COUPLE OF DIVES TO 20-30 FEET DEEP UNTIL I GET SOME DRY TIME. SHOULD I LOOK INTO TAKING A DRY SUIT COARSE OR JUST FIGURE IT OUT. I DID READ ABOUT "THE SQUEEZE" AND ALSO HOW TO SWIM DOWN AND DO A SOMERSAULT IF NEEDED. PLEASE OFFER SOME ADVICE FOR A ROOKIE LIKE MYSELF I HAVE APPROXIMATLY 40 LOGGED OPEN WATER DIVES

I would highly suggest you take a drysuit course unless you have a seasoned drysuit diver to show you the ropes.It is actually simple to learn a drysuit but if some things are not learned it could lead to you getting seriously hurt or even worse.

Here are some things to think about

What do you do if your inflator button sticks or is leaking air into the suit and you find yourself shooting to the surface

how to stop a run away ascent

Your exhaust valve wont vent

your in a feet first ascent

do you use your suit for buoyancy or your bc....i prefer the latter and add just enough air to eliminate squeeze.

These are the things a class is gonna help you become proficient in.

 

[Dectek]

get some quality time with a Dry suit diver. One local shop near me will " Escort" guide you on your first two dives after purchasing a suit from him. That is if you are booking through his shop. He also offers the escort with Drysuit rentals for a small fee.
Please seek some sort of education of the drysuit use before going at it on your own.

BTW.. Typing in ALL CAPITAL letters on a message board is like yelling when talking.