Thought I has my weighting dialed in after 30 drysuit dives. Was always feeling just a little floaty at the end.
Then yesterday I managed to not clip in my BCD weight pouch correctly and lost it mid dive. Didn't notice it until it was too late to find it.
I was quite worried about my ability to hold the safety stop at the but with a bit of assistance from te ascent rope managed a few gyrations to get enough air out of the suit to hold 5m with 400psi in the tank.
Next dive I put a few extra pounds or lead in the BCD pocket an was fine holding 5m and even 2m (nice shallow swim around a small island back tot he boat) with a near empty tank.
The good - I now no I can dive with 7 lbs less lead.
The bad - I'm out the cost of a replacement weight pouch and some lead.
This was only my second time out on a boat in my drysuit.
Lessons learned:
1) do all my usual pre-dive suit up routine - don't feel rushed as the boat is nearing the dive location and the pre-dive briefing is ending.
2) as part of above make sue I hear a nice loud click as the pouch retention clip engages
3) Do a pre-departure checklist - left my light in the van.
4) keep working on my dry suit air dumping technique
5) remember there is always more to learn and practice
6) figure out a better way to double check the pouches are secure
Landau
Then yesterday I managed to not clip in my BCD weight pouch correctly and lost it mid dive. Didn't notice it until it was too late to find it.
I was quite worried about my ability to hold the safety stop at the but with a bit of assistance from te ascent rope managed a few gyrations to get enough air out of the suit to hold 5m with 400psi in the tank.
Next dive I put a few extra pounds or lead in the BCD pocket an was fine holding 5m and even 2m (nice shallow swim around a small island back tot he boat) with a near empty tank.
The good - I now no I can dive with 7 lbs less lead.
The bad - I'm out the cost of a replacement weight pouch and some lead.
This was only my second time out on a boat in my drysuit.
Lessons learned:
1) do all my usual pre-dive suit up routine - don't feel rushed as the boat is nearing the dive location and the pre-dive briefing is ending.
2) as part of above make sue I hear a nice loud click as the pouch retention clip engages
3) Do a pre-departure checklist - left my light in the van.
4) keep working on my dry suit air dumping technique
5) remember there is always more to learn and practice
6) figure out a better way to double check the pouches are secure
Landau
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