It's a real reality check, isn't it? Slowed me way down, too.
Future plans for doubles and lots of questions
- Thread starter Lukiedukie
- Start date
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It's a real reality check, isn't it? Slowed me way down, too.
limeyx
Guest
Lukiedukie:
I would say "Slow down"
Honestly, I think trying to go so fast might be a mistake.Take one thing at a time and get comfy with it.
If you have a class in mind, talking to the instructor will always help.
Generally if you're diving double 104's, you are going to use a drysuit. So that might be a good place to start, but start with *just that* and get happy with it, then think about the next thing (maybe the light, and get used to diving with it, stowing it, signaling with it, holding it during OOA drills etc)
then when you are comfy with that, maybe move to doubles or whatever comes next.
Some of this stuff takes time to sink in.
I would consider also (depending on your dive experience) a good "intro to tech/fundamentals" class that will drill into you S-Drills (Out of gas), mask on/off, good trim, good kicks (so as not to stir up silt).
If you dont have those basics down (and it's really easy to think you have until you see yourself on video -- I have been there
then moving on is going to be tricky.just my 2c.
Mark Vlahos
Contributor
If you are looking at getting LP 104's at a great price that is one thing, but if the price is close I would suggest the E8-130 or equivalent. It is a remarkably similar cylinder that you will have few concerns filling to pressures approaching 3500 PSI.Lukiedukie:
For a plate a lightweight plate will do better in fresh water, and a steel plate should offer you better options in salt water. This relationship will go further if the fresh water is relatively warm and the salt water is more on the cool to cold side.
I have a Sartek light, but the Salvo lights look really good, make your choice on the ergonomics of the particular lights you are considering.
I dive a 55 pound wing in both fresh and salt water wet or dry, it seems to be able to handle all of the situations. Choosing the appropriate plate helps keep some weight off my rig, so this has an effect on wing size. When I dive in a wet suit I always use a double bladder wing, redundant lift with steel doubles is a major safety concern, this would be a bad place to try to save money.
As far as I can tell the only reason to specifically choose a DUI drysuit over all other brands is ZipSeals. If you want these then DUI is the only game in town. If you do not feel locked into a DUI suit, then get a suit that fits you best while still being affordable. If the Bare suit fits better and you are not locked into the DUI, then get a Bare. Consider other brands as well, there are many high quality dry suits to choose from.
Probably the best piece of advice I can give you is when you add all of these things to your rig, ONLY ADD ONE NEW PIECE OF GEAR AT A TIME. If your first dive in doubles is also your first dive in a dry suit, and you are dealing with a canister light and light head, you will just be overwhelmed by it all. That is a recipe for disaster. Be smart about adding new gear, learn how to manage one small set of new problems at a time.
Good luck with your new challenges.
Mark Vlahos
OP
Lukiedukie
Guest
Thank you all for your comments I think I am lucky to have a mentor of sorts that is willing to take me under his wing and get me sorted out. Right now in my near future will be a drysuit. Later will come the doubles unless I find a great deal on them. I am not a little guy by any standert. (6'3" 250lbs) I am considering a set of al80s but the rest of the group I am diving with is diving 104s at the smallest. I have zero time in doulbes but have talked with a few people who are more then willing to let me borrow a set in a local quarry. One of them is possibly the instructor I am wanting to take my future training though. I am in no rush that is for sure. If anything I am suffering from sticker shock but it just made me realize I need to put the brakes on. Things will move along and I will progress though each step only after my mentors say I am ready to take the next step. I have in the past made too many equipment changes at one time and learned that is not the way to go. Thank you all your input is greatly appreciated.
As for the DIR-F class I think it would be a great expeirence if they would only come to my area. I do not mind travleing for my cavern or above class but I think it would be hard to get approval from my fiancail director for a class that could be taught right here in my area. GUE has came to DFW before but from my understanding they have not returned to the area and several people still have the provisonal pass from 2 years ago. Maybe not enough interest.
I am a firm beliver in learning new things to open my eyes and mind and shut my mouth. So please keep the comments comming.
As for the DIR-F class I think it would be a great expeirence if they would only come to my area. I do not mind travleing for my cavern or above class but I think it would be hard to get approval from my fiancail director for a class that could be taught right here in my area. GUE has came to DFW before but from my understanding they have not returned to the area and several people still have the provisonal pass from 2 years ago. Maybe not enough interest.
I am a firm beliver in learning new things to open my eyes and mind and shut my mouth. So please keep the comments comming.
PerroneFord
Contributor
Lukiedukie:
GUE is a TINY organization. They don't have 1000 instructors or even 100. I'd guess around 30-40 active, worldwide. Getting them to come do training is hard. That said, traveling to take the class is not that big a deal. It's a $350 class and in my opinion, will do more to make you a better diver than any other class I can think of. If you can't get them and you can't travel, try to get Andy G or one of the 5thDx crew. From what I can tell the class is equivalent.
Good that you have mentors. That can be worth it's weight in gold as you move to technical diving. I know I am quite pleased to have the ones I do.
Oh and on the 104s. If that's what others in your dive group are diving, probably makes sense for you to go there or to the 130s.
Best of luck to you.
OP
Lukiedukie
Guest
I have considered the 130s jsut so my SAC rate would not hold back the group but I think that would be overkill. Besides I am getting my butt back in shape and that will drop my SAC rate anyway. I got nothing but time no money but lots of time.
Lukiedukie:
There never is no such as thing as too much gas,only too little gas is a problem;but 130s are way overkill. Fitness is important,and I will never discourage you,but diving frequently and getting comfortable with the gear is maybe even more important. I dive with someone who runs in triathalons,and I beat him consistently in gas consumption.
Dive,dive,dive,dive.....
OP
Lukiedukie
Guest
karstdvr:
Dive dive dive is not a problem with me I am in the water atleast every two weeks and if I can not make a trip out to a quarry or lake I hit a pool either in my nieghbors back yard or a LDS that is nice enough to let me go play if they do not have a class or something going on for free. My goal is to be over 100 dives by the end of summer and around 200 by spring. (I do not count the pool sessions as dives)
ianr33
Contributor
Lukiedukie:
Using 130's might not give you more bottom time on technical dives if you are planning them correctly. You need to calculate a Rock Bottom turn pressure that has sufficient gas to get both divers back to the surface or,the first gas switch, in the event of a total backgas failure.
If you and your buddy need ,say,80 cu ft of gas to reach "safety" it makes no difference how big your tank is if you have just snapped your manifold in half !
Standard advice for cave diving is that the heaviest breather takes the smallest tanks.Seems counterintuitive until you really think about it.
OP
Lukiedukie
Guest
ianr33:
Yes it is but in a weird way it is smart thinking as it provide makes sure that you ahve enough gas to get out safely. Thanks
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