For Women: My stupid question of the day . . .

[TSandM]

I was 51 when I got certified. I'm 5'4" and 120 lbs, and have never remotely approached athletic. When I did my OW class, I couldn't climb out of the pool with an Al63 on my back.

Nowadays, I dive doubled steel tanks, sometimes with a deco bottle or a 35 lb scooter. What made the difference? Hauling dive gear. Yeah, I hit the gym a little bit now and then (but really a little bit and only now and then). What made the difference was . . . hauling scuba gear. I think you'll be amazed at how rapidly you build strength if you just make yourself do it.

That said, I'm a believer in hand trucks, and also in the portable plastic work tables they sell at Lowes or Home Depot. And tall, strong, gallant dive buddies aren't bad, either. (I'll never ask, but I never say no when they offer )

Somebody's already suggested breaking the weight into pieces -- I think weight-integrated BCs are very difficult, and personally way prefer a weight belt. I also use, as Doc Intrepid suggested, a backplate setup and steel tanks, to minimize the ballast I have to carry. I don't assemble my rig until I am ready to put it on, so I add anything that's heavy as late as I can. Having a lot of arthritis in my hands, I also make sure the handles on things are broad and flat and padded if possible (eg. gear bags) or make into backpacks.

I wear a one-piece swimsuit under my wetsuit. It may not fit perfectly, but it's good enough for diving.

As far as fitting in and being "one of the boys", I got myself badly hurt in April by doing that. I was trying too hard to be completely independent. As far as I can tell, my male dive buddies don't mind at all pitching in on the tasks that are quite reasonably difficult for me and easier for them. Or, to give an example: After our cave class last May, I told my favorite dive buddy I was going to come home and hit the gym. He asked me why. I told him it was so that I wouldn't need help with my gear. He rolled his eyes and shook his head and said, "Oh, don't be ridiculous. We don't mind helping with your gear."

"Why don't you go swim laps so you can keep UP with us!"

So there you have it.

 

[spectrum]

I am new to diving and have a few 'stupid questions of the day'.

1. Suggestions on how best to handle the 'weight' of diving - gearing up is much heavier then I anticipated. I have a bad back but am fiercely independent, so I am looking for hints on how to carry my own tanks, plus how to manage gearing up and finally getting up the ladder or dingy. I'm a whopping 5'2. I did fine in class but recovery took a few days!

2. What are the best kinds of suits or 'cloths' to wear under wet suits? I typically where 2 piece suits as I have a short torso and 1 pieces are not comfortable. Yet, I know diving is predominately male and I don't want to be the chick flashing everyone while gearing up etc. Anything I should avoid? I tried 'swim trunk shorts' with a full coverage top but the shorts were not comfortable in the suit.

3. Thinking back to your early diving days, was there anything as a woman you had to change to either dive safely or 'be one of the boys?" I can only imagine what some of the old timers think of female divers to begin with, but newbie female divers must have a special place in their hearts! Any pitfalls I can avoid?

Thanks for your help. I know we newbies are annoying as heck!

Speaking for my wife who is not a ScubaBoard poster...

1. Break things down so they are manageable when possible. A lot of it's like dancing, as you do it often you will learn body mechanics and it will get easier. Working out never hurts.

2. Tankini

3. Dive with a spirit of continuous improvement and you will be consistently welcomed by divers of all experience and ability levels. It's a rare seasoned diver who does not welcome the chance to mentor. The caveat is to not impose on "special dives". If a diver has paid to go dive a wreck they will want to get their moneys worth from the charter fee. On the other hand that same diver will gladly spend a dive or 2 at a free shore dive site. Most us see it as unfortunate that there are so many ladies missing out on diving so we tend to be very accommodating. I know from my experience diving with my wife and other ladies that they tend to have a better eye for detail and spot lots of neat stuff I would have missed otherwise.

Dive safe,
Pete

 

[drl]

I feel your pain! I'm 5' 2" and 110#, and started diving at 46, so the weight of gear was an issue, but you will get stronger. Also, don't let anybody rush you. Arrive early so you have time to gear up slowly and deliberately. You're less likely to forget something, and less likely to injure yourself with heavy gear if you move slowly and don't hurry. I don't know what your air consumption is like, but if it is good, when you buy your own tanks you might consider smaller ones. Or go with high pressure steel, which are shorter even though they hold more air. I can't carry an AL80 without hunching up my shoulders to keep them off the ground, but my HP steel 100s I can carry at arm's length. There's no shame in using tools--a rolling cart for tanks or a rolling gear bag for everything but tanks (XS Scuba makes a rolling mesh bag that collapses completely to fit under the boat seat) can be a lifesaver. What would be most useful depends on the type of diving you expect to do.

Tankinis work well under wetsuits (as long as they don't have a lot of lumpy hardware). There are also athletic style 2-piece suits made by Speedo and Tyr that have higher-cut bottoms and tops styled like a sports bra. They work well, lots of support on top and more coverage on the bottom than a bikini, but more convenient in the head than a 1-piece.

Don't worry about diving with men. As a Great Lakes wreck diver, I'm quite often the only woman on the boat, and it's rarely been an issue. It probably helps that I usually dive with my husband, but I have sometimes dived with other buddies. As far as "old timers" are concerned, inexperience is more likely to be an issue than gender. Willingness to learn goes a long way. Of course there are a few jerks around, but that is not unique to diving! The biggest gender-related issue for me is boats without heads; female plumbing is less convenient for that.

Good luck!

 

[TSandM]

The biggest gender-related issue for me is boats without heads; female plumbing is less convenient for that.

That's why we have She-Ps!

 

[Sas]

That's why we have She-Ps!

Yep, +1. Can't recommend them enough!

 

[ScubaSam]

Welcome to SB, Betty. There are NO stupid questions only the ones that do not get asked. This is just my personal belief/experience as I am a newbie and it's not meant to take away from any of the posters and their comments and experience.

1). I'm 5'4" and am fortunate not to have any back problems so will defer to the others for their experiences. I do hit the gym as much as I can to build strength in my muscles and work on cardio.

2). Tankini under my wetsuit and a boat coat during surface intervals on boat dives, if it's a tropical locale, then just shorts over the tankini during surface interval.

3). I carry and handle my own gear and NEVER ask for help because I do not want to appear the weaker sex or a burden to my male dive buddies. The men do always offer to help, some have even grabbed my gear from me out of frustration of not being allowed to help me, bless their sweet hearts. I politely decline saying, "No, thanks because if I can't handle my own gear, I should not be in the sport." Every now and then, when I'm very tired, I'll let them help if they offered.

It's important to me to have the respect of my fellow male divers so that is why I carry, setup and handle my own gear. I also make it a point to keep up with training and with skills. I never want to be a burden and would rather be self-sufficient and safe diver. There is a frat boy mentality when you're surrounded by that much testosterone so having a good sense of humor and being able to laugh at yourself is key.

The first time I screwed up a navigational dive, they gave me so much grief and ribbed me for weeks, but the next time I nailed a navigational dive in 3 ft viz there were high praises and admiration in their eyes.

Was told yesterday by some regular male dive buddies that I have cojones and they would challenge anyone who said diffferently. I guess it's their way of saying that I fit in and am like one of the guys so I'll take it.

 

[BettyRubble]

Thank you all for the great advice. The more 'issues' I can solve while on land the better!

 

[down4fun]

First off...Welcome to the sport of diving. I hope you will love it half as much as I do. And Second...there are no stupid questions so ask away.

1) There are many ways to deal with the wt of the gear. Most of which have been covered here. The more you dive the easier the gear will be to handle and move. Some of it is heavy. Do not be afraid to ask for help especially if you have a history of back trouble. Although I know for myself this is easier said then done. I am 5'3 and have progressed to diving doubles. They are heavy. One of the ways I deal with it is to get to the boat early. Kind of like at the airport when they are boarding and call for those needing a little extra time to board...that's me and my doubles. Coming up the ladder i may need a boost to make that final step. And I have accepted this is ok. At first I thought I had to be all macho and not ask for help. Then on another forum it was pointed out to me that when reboarding after a deep dive I am still in a window for DCS by straining myself I increase that risk. The smarter and safer thing to do is ask for help.

2) Bathing suits. Wear whatever you want. I wear a bikini somedays and a two piece with boy shorts others. I have seen men wearing smaller bottoms than mine so no worries.

3)As in any group there will be a few jerks. They are usually loud and arrogant and I try to stay away from them. But for the most part I have been accepted as one of the boys. If you mention you are a new diver they will be a little more gentle with you. I have met some great mentors along the way who have taught me a lot. As my diving progresses to a more technical aspect, there seems to be even less macho attitude which is funny because it is exactly opposite of what I thought I would run into.


Have fun and be safe!

 

[DOkie]

The other ladies are correct. The best way to deal with your gear is to haul it. It is difficult at first and now I find myself scaling cliffs with my gear on to get to the water. I'm 5'2, 102 lbs. You'll find what's comfortable for you. The only thing I can recommend is not to bend over while walking. You're off balance and it will kill your back.

The skin suit is a great idea. I use one when diving wet. It makes getting your suit on and off a breeze and gives you that extra coverage when you're not feeling comfortable walking around in a bikini. (But hey, there is NOTHING wrong with self-confindence!)

As far as "dealing with the guys"... Humor is the best policy. Like someone said, if you can laugh when they tell you you've got snot running you'll be fine. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it and don't be afraid to pee off the boat. The guys are going to ask you to "turn around" at one point in time or another. Being that 99.9% of the time I dive with guys, they're easy. It's when there's other women on the boats that I run into problems!! Best advice? Just have fun. It's what you started diving for....

 

[kimbalabala]

I know I'm a year late weighing in on this topic - but I just joined yesterday and it's a great thread for me!

I'll be 50 next week, I'm 5' 0" and weigh 112 and when I did my OW cert in April in 43 degree water and a dry suit there was NO END to my whining about how heavy everything was!!! The worst part was having to walk the 5 miles to the quarry. Ok, it was only about 25 yards, but it FELT like 5 miles!

TSandM - you're my hero! I guess it's just a matter of "doing it". I've had to quit whining, accept help, ASK for help, and even the guys seem to appreciate it when I offer to help them!

I wear a one piece so my wetsuit goes on more smoothly without revealing things that nobody (especially me) wants to see!!

I haven't noticed a difference in attitudes from men versus women. Scuba folks seem to be a different breed entirely. I've enjoyed it so much already.

Love this site!