Going from OW ocean dive to quarry dive

[Colliam7]

OH...and the hood wasn't THAT tight. It was just really uncomfortable and I have never worn one. And by the time I put my hood on I was so frustrated that everything bugged me.

A thread growing on SB over the past year has addressed the issue of why people dive in quarries, lakes and mud holes, in the first place. You might want to use the Search function and read some of the posts. Quarries take some getting used to. I did my OW check-outs in Ft. Lauderdale, didn't dive for several months, and then went to a quarry in VA (where vis is actually quite good by quarry standards). I wore a LOT of neoprene, to deal with the water temp, and I felt claustrophobic to say the least, particularly with a heavy hood. I simply could not descend - between my buddy and I we had not brought enough weight - until I picked up a couple of rocks from the bottom to stuff in my BC pockets. By the end of the day I was so frustrated that I never wanted to dive again, in a quarry or in the ocean! Fortunately, I got over it.

I echo several of the comments about wetsuits. A custom fit exposure suit, wetsuit or drysuit, is absolutely one of the best investments you can make! A DS is somewhat costly. A custom fit wetsuit, while not inexpensive, is much less costly, and well worth the money - don't accept a westuit that does not fit you comfortably, just because it is $100 cheaper.

I bought a drysuit after a year of diving, so I could dive local quarries throughout the winter, and maintain and improve my skills. That was probably the most useful investment in scuba gear I have made. Now, I am used to cold, dark and low vis and enjoy it, or at least don't notice it. Hang in there! I bet you will find over time that quarries have their place in your diving adventures.

 

[Soundtracklover]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I'll keep diving and try the quarries again. Nice to know that other people had the same problem and got over it with time and proper equipment.

 

[sberanek]

As for wetsuits for the busty... I have a Henderson shortie (for the warm, clear places) that is like wearing nothing at all. I have for the quarries a 3mm NeoSport (got it from Leisurepro) that fits quite nicely, a 6.5mm TILOS that has a front zipper in addition to the back zipper that makes for opening up some chest room (it is more of a relief flap that doesn't actually open the suit to the water... got it from an ebay dealer called Unreal Find), and a 7mm farmer john that makes it feel like I can't breath when I'm on land.

I avoid hoods as much as possible because I don't like the necks on most of them. I usually leave mine unzipped from the base of my skull down. I like to wear my beanie (looks like a swim cap made out of thin neoprene) to keep my head warm and my hair out of my mask. The beanie is good for me for water around 60d then I have to switch.

--Shannon

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I think you just figured out why some people will say cold water diving and warm water diving could almost be two completely different sports My general rule of thumb is to try something three times before I decide I really don't like it. You've had your first experience and know what you need to change for your second one to make it better. Trying your second quarry dive once you get gear that fits you will probably be a completely different experience since you know what to expect as far as the basic quarry environment is concerned. Do your third quarry dive with an open mind and an intention to have fun, you might be surprised to find diving the quarry starting to grow on you

I've had those "I don't care if we have to swim 5 miles we're going UP!" days and they aren't much fun. You tried diving a new environment under pretty stressful circumstances and you kept your head, kudos to you! Just having that experience is a great learning tool, we learn more from the "dives that suck" than we do from the dives we had the most fun on

Don't get discouraged, we've all been there!
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[muddiver]

I second everyone on the "get a custom suit" advice. I all but puked on a dive off the Laguna coast in very small surf all because I had out grown my wet suit. After that I spent the $100 and get a custom 5 mil titanium lined wet suit and I've been comfortable ever since.

15' visability, hmmmm sounds like the L.A. harbor at high tide.

 

[gmhicks5867]

I would second the thoughts on the custom suit. Yes it will cost more but in comparison to your safety and enjoyment, what is a bit of extra money.

Also kudos for not panicking when you were stressed as well as knowing when to call it versus pushing a bad situation/dive

 

[RJP]

If all you've done is dive in the ocean or other clear water, I don't recommend diving in a quarry unless you have all your own gear or at least gear that fits very well.

I will say this...I said yesterday that I would never dive a quarry again, but I've had time to think about it. I will dive a quarry again, but not until I have my own gear that fits and that I'm comfortable with. If I don't have to worry about my stuff, I can focus on the environment more and maybe enjoy the game of hide and seek instead of being scared of it.

You've got it nailed! A dive ANYWHERE with ill-fitting, uncomfortable gear is going to SUCK. Of course if the water is 80F and there's lots of pretty fishies, the margin for error is a bit wider.



Don't be discouraged!

 

[ronbeau]

15 foot vis is a quarry is excellent.

Conditions won't get much better.

Tell Santa about needing gear!

Actually, I have seen over 30 foot visibility at Dutch Springs.

 

[spectrum]

Soundtracklover,

It sounds like you had a great introduction to cold water/quarry diving. yes it's a lot different than warm water diving but you don't need to wait for vacation to enjoy it. Don't expect it to be the same sort of experience you will trade the colorful fish and visibility for another type of adventure. Becoming an active local cold water diver will also catapult your abilities.

No doubt the ill fitting exposure protection was at the root of your misery. Additional rental gear that you were not accustomed to and confident about just added to the stress.

My wife and I certified here in Maine in cold water. Fairly early on we got to dive in a llocal quarry and I will say that it is a demanding environment. Give yourself a pat on the back for keeping your wits and executing the dive, even if abbreviated.

I like to say that a good dive is one where nobody got hurt, all of the gear came back and you learned something. You did good!

Take some time this winter to educate yourself on good cold water gear. You will find that high pressure steel cylinders can lessen your overall weight and the amount of lead you need to wear.

If you are buxom to where an off the rack suit will not be comfortable then by all means pursue a custom suit. They are a great solution. Modern exposure protection is amazing stuff but above all things it must fit right.

It's great to see that you have a supportive spouse.

Pete

 

[BTravlin]

If I were you I'd save my money for a nice set of warm water gear and then head south as much as possible.