Racer_X
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So I went with the family in August of 2024 on a cruise. I packed the scuba extras (computer, lights), but didn't end up diving because it was a family thing. Snorkeled a lot, and the really really bad current snorkel ended up being me and a the dive guide as the only ones that made it through the fun part - everyone else bailed to the boat. OTOH, the school of eagle rays was amazing.
But....Wolf and Darwin. Yeah....Wolf and Darwin. So I'm planning a 2028 just me liveaboard trip. For those that have done it, looking for some validation on what to do to get ready.
Background:
Local <sigh> lake - max depth around 50ft, but as a bonus, the max water temp is 73F. So perfect for practice in the temp. with 7mm full wetsuit. Not to mention the 5ft vis. Practiced with DSMB a fair bit, that's going to continue. Man, I hate cold water.
Gear:
Going BP/W. Getting a Resqulink and marine radio with DiveFob for Xmas. Understand the need for kevlar gloves, which I hate because I hate gloves when diving, but I'd rather end the dive with skin still on my hands.
Plan:
October - liveaboard practice. Bahamas/Caribbean just to get used to it. Dial-in dives for the gear in salt water. Packing practice for gear to stay in carry-on.
March 2026- Drift dive/current practice: Cozumel. Just got back last week after learning drift dives. Figure another week-long trip for practice. Maybe give Barracuda Reef a try.
Practice wing maintenance/repairs.
Sometime 2026 - tacking on some dives in South Africa to our safari. prolly Aliwal/Sodwana.
Beg the LDS to let me observe regulator servicing so I can practice repairs as needed so I don't bring 2 full sets of gear to the Galapagos.
March 2027 - Back to Coz, live at barracuda reef.
August 2027 - Do a long liveaboard to practice dealing with long liveaboard issues.
August 2028 - do the thing.
Any recommendations on other things to work on? Any other prep-sites worth hitting? Figure my top priorities are covered - strong current, cold water <sigh>, low vis, close quarters. Really don't want to dive dry - that'll be a commitment I'll have to live with for a very very long time to justify the expense, and I don't want to dive in cold water that much.
But....Wolf and Darwin. Yeah....Wolf and Darwin. So I'm planning a 2028 just me liveaboard trip. For those that have done it, looking for some validation on what to do to get ready.
Background:
Local <sigh> lake - max depth around 50ft, but as a bonus, the max water temp is 73F. So perfect for practice in the temp. with 7mm full wetsuit. Not to mention the 5ft vis. Practiced with DSMB a fair bit, that's going to continue. Man, I hate cold water.
Gear:
Going BP/W. Getting a Resqulink and marine radio with DiveFob for Xmas. Understand the need for kevlar gloves, which I hate because I hate gloves when diving, but I'd rather end the dive with skin still on my hands.
Plan:
October - liveaboard practice. Bahamas/Caribbean just to get used to it. Dial-in dives for the gear in salt water. Packing practice for gear to stay in carry-on.
March 2026- Drift dive/current practice: Cozumel. Just got back last week after learning drift dives. Figure another week-long trip for practice. Maybe give Barracuda Reef a try.
Practice wing maintenance/repairs.
Sometime 2026 - tacking on some dives in South Africa to our safari. prolly Aliwal/Sodwana.
Beg the LDS to let me observe regulator servicing so I can practice repairs as needed so I don't bring 2 full sets of gear to the Galapagos.
March 2027 - Back to Coz, live at barracuda reef.
August 2027 - Do a long liveaboard to practice dealing with long liveaboard issues.
August 2028 - do the thing.
Any recommendations on other things to work on? Any other prep-sites worth hitting? Figure my top priorities are covered - strong current, cold water <sigh>, low vis, close quarters. Really don't want to dive dry - that'll be a commitment I'll have to live with for a very very long time to justify the expense, and I don't want to dive in cold water that much.