Hello from Maine

[wgw04024]

8mm I believe.

 

[TheSherpa]

Well, once I complete my OW dives I should have a good idea of my comfort level. I need to talk to NEAQ about their volunteer dive programs to see if I need my own gear, or if they provide it.

 

[wgw04024]

"
Apply Now for Limited Weekday Openings

Time commitment: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. one morning per week for a period of 6 months

Summary: Volunteer divers will assist the Marine Mammal Department staff in the underwater care and maintenance of various marine mammal exhibits and holding areas that feature our Atlantic harbor seals, northern fur seals, and California sea lions.

NOTE: Candidates MUST be SCUBA certified from a nationally recognized dive training program at the time of application.

Responsibilities:

• Maintenance work includes window washing, scrubbing, and vacuuming of exhibit rock work, walls, and floors with brushes, scrub pads and/or motorized scrubbers, and soft mesh material.
• Divers must be able to communicate clearly with all staff as well as follow written or verbal instructions.
• Dives may or may not take place while animals are on exhibit.
• Volunteer divers may dive solo on exhibit with a surface tender or with another diver.

Qualifications:

• SCUBA certification by a nationally recognized dive training program.
• Must have logged a minimum of fifteen (15) open water dives, at least five (5) of which must have taken place in the last twelve (12) months. These dives are in addition to certification checkout dives
• Medical clearance to dive based on requirements outlined in NEAq Medical Dive Forms.
• Completion of a Giant Ocean Tank checkout dive under the supervision of the NEAq Dive Safety Officer.
• Ability to work in various climates throughout the year.
• Ability to walk on wet, slippery surfaces in full scuba gear and must be able to list forty (40) pounds unassisted.
• Physical demands may also include bending, stooping, repetitive motion, lifting, reaching, climbing and swimming."

One morning a week for 6 months is a big commitment for me.

 

[TheSherpa]

That's the one, however the one I usually see isn't a set schedule on weekdays like the current posting. I wish the post indicated a person to contact with questions so I could make a phone call or send an email.

 

[Compressor]

Welcome to ScubaBoard. A great place to be during surface intervals. Good to have you onboard.
Best wishes in your course.

 

[TheSherpa]

Thanks! Once I sell my second vehicle I am looking at the deep6 signature and nx ghost for first purchases. When I do my OW dives I hope to figure out if I'll need a dry or if I can be comfortable in a semi-dry.

 

[DBPacific]

Hi Sherpa! I'm not a Mainer but this summer I'm research diving from York to Downeast. The coldest water I've run into so far has been about 47-48F, and I've been fine in a 7mm wetsuit with an additional 7mm hooded vest on top. Might be overkill, but it's let me do two 45-60 minute long dives in a work day. Drysuits are very likely the way to go if you can, but that's my set-up. I find that in thick wetsuits and gear as well, the less my BCD wraps around me the better for not feeling claustrophobic or choked when I'm waiting to splash and then undress. Good luck on your OW!

 

[TheSherpa]

Thanks for the extra info! What sort of break do you take between dives of that length? I don't have to worry about a tight BCD since I am looking at a bpw instead of jacket.

 

[DBPacific]

Thanks for the extra info! What sort of break do you take between dives of that length? I don't have to worry about a tight BCD since I am looking at a bpw instead of jacket.

We usually take hour to hour and a half long breaks. Typically the surface interval is spent eating lunch and going to the next site, so it can vary, but a minimum of an hour.

When I bought my own BCD I got a really basic BPW that came unassembled so I could make sure it was loose enough and I could put D-rings where I could actually reach them. I took classes on a rental BPW that was too tight and I couldn't adjust it as much and it gave me a lot of panicked moments on the surface trying to get things on or off. If there's a dive shop near you, they're usually pretty friendly and you can spend some time just trying on different BPW rigs. Some will also let you try them in a pool if they have one.

 

[TheSherpa]

Thanks again for the extra info. I'm fairly small at 5'6" 145ish. I'm not worried about a pre-assembled BCD being too small at this point. The few people on here that have the one I looked at seem to enjoy it and I found good reviews for both warm and cold water.