Is there a resource I can read up on to learn the basics of diving with a drysuit? Just purchased one and want to try it out in shallow water before I take any courses.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Learn to Dive Dry?
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Mustard Dave
Contributor
I would not recommend diving in a drysuit at all without supervision - no matter how shallow. You don't necessarily need to do a course either if you can get somebody with sufficient experience to teach you.
Diving dry is not dificult once used to it. I just open the auto dump all the way, put in enough air to take off the squeeze and use the wing/BCD for buoyancy. Some will tell you (including PADI) to use the suit for buoyancy underwater and the BCD on the surface. Both ways are simple enough but you need to learn the drills for dealing with scenarios such as feet-first ascent and stuck inflater button. You will also need to sort out your weighting again as you'll need more lead
The PADI Drysuit manual and the Adventures in Diving Manuals have some good basic reading.
Diving dry is not dificult once used to it. I just open the auto dump all the way, put in enough air to take off the squeeze and use the wing/BCD for buoyancy. Some will tell you (including PADI) to use the suit for buoyancy underwater and the BCD on the surface. Both ways are simple enough but you need to learn the drills for dealing with scenarios such as feet-first ascent and stuck inflater button. You will also need to sort out your weighting again as you'll need more lead
The PADI Drysuit manual and the Adventures in Diving Manuals have some good basic reading.
Define shallow.
5ft
8ft
20ft
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5ft
8ft
20ft
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3D diver
Contributor
My only training was 'go to the deep end, get inverted, and figure out what to do about it'.
There was an instructor there and I assume he was keeping an eye on me...
By all means read up and have someone there...definitely don't get yourself killed 'cause of my flippant advice...but it really is just a matter of putting in some time, figuring out your weight and trim, getting used to the air moving around, and learning how to get the air out of the suit.
There was an instructor there and I assume he was keeping an eye on me...
By all means read up and have someone there...definitely don't get yourself killed 'cause of my flippant advice...but it really is just a matter of putting in some time, figuring out your weight and trim, getting used to the air moving around, and learning how to get the air out of the suit.
DUI used to have a book that IMHO was an excellent resource..... not sure if it is still offered.
[h=2]ISBN: 096743050X (google search)[/h]
Found one here: Dry Suit Diving 3rd Edition | Rent 9780967430508 | 096743050X
[h=2]ISBN: 096743050X (google search)[/h]
Found one here: Dry Suit Diving 3rd Edition | Rent 9780967430508 | 096743050X
Last edited:
Just noticed you are a lawyer. The examples I gave were to choose from. 20ft is not shallow to start with. 8ft in a swimming pool is.
Find a swimming pool and a buddy who dives dry, put your gear on and jump in.
Seriously don't be dumb and try to do a 90ft wreck dive.
Just play in the pool, even go to blue heron bridge if you are near enough and play in the shallow sandy areas.
If you feel wonky and uncomfortable stop, get out and call a lds for a class.
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Find a swimming pool and a buddy who dives dry, put your gear on and jump in.
Seriously don't be dumb and try to do a 90ft wreck dive.
Just play in the pool, even go to blue heron bridge if you are near enough and play in the shallow sandy areas.
If you feel wonky and uncomfortable stop, get out and call a lds for a class.
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I read the drysuit course book from SDI and went out and dived with my suit down to about 25 feet and then 60 feet in my first two dives with it. I did have some experienced (15-20 dry dives) "mentors" with me, but they really only helped me with getting my neck seal sorted out and helping figure out the "dial in" process for my exhaust valve. (Different people like differing levels of exhaust from their valves) Other than that, 2 chapters of the 10 chapter book were all I needed to understand what to do and when. (The rest of the chapters were extraneous information about purchasing a suit and suit history etc etc. Nice to know but not helpful for the actual diving of the suit.)
Practice inverting and make sure you know how to deal with air in your feet. Getting truly accustomed to the suit and deciding whether to use the suit or your BC for buoyancy are the big factors. I had more squeeze than I should have during my first dive... made my boys a bit uncomfortable, but that's part of learning the suit.
I did have a runaway ascent on my second dive because my exhaust valve wasn't dialed in, yet, though. (Having mentors to help figure this one out was helpful.) Remember the golden rule (always keep breathing) and find someone with some experience in dry suit diving to be your buddy for the first couple of dives and you should be okay.
Practice inverting and make sure you know how to deal with air in your feet. Getting truly accustomed to the suit and deciding whether to use the suit or your BC for buoyancy are the big factors. I had more squeeze than I should have during my first dive... made my boys a bit uncomfortable, but that's part of learning the suit.
I did have a runaway ascent on my second dive because my exhaust valve wasn't dialed in, yet, though. (Having mentors to help figure this one out was helpful.) Remember the golden rule (always keep breathing) and find someone with some experience in dry suit diving to be your buddy for the first couple of dives and you should be okay.
jIM STEELE
Contributor
If you are going to take the class just go do it first its a short easy cheep class takes about 10 min of info and 1 to 2 hrs in pool better than trying on tour owen
I think, if you bought the written materials for anybody's dry suit class, there'd be some well-organized information there.
Dry suits aren't rocket science, and you are not a new diver. The big things about diving a dry suit are avoiding feet-first ascents, and developing a rapid and sensitive awareness of the need to adjust buoyancy, because you simply can't do it as fast, or from as many positions in a dry suit as you can when diving wet. Some of that can't be taught, but simply has to be learned; even if you took a class, it would be wise to keep your first dozen or so dry suit dives relatively shallow, in case you lose control. Classes teach recovery procedures, but I have to say that, in my unfortunately not insignificant experience with feet-first ascents, you simply don't have time to execute them in most cases. Avoidance is a far better strategy!
In addition, there are things to learn about dry suit care and handling, most of which I think you can find in SB threads -- rinsing, seal care, zipper care and appropriate products have all been discussed here.
I don't think learning to use a dry suit is beyond the scope of someone who is experienced diving wet, and has good buoyancy control. An instructor might be able to shorten the process, but you can do it yourself.
Dry suits aren't rocket science, and you are not a new diver. The big things about diving a dry suit are avoiding feet-first ascents, and developing a rapid and sensitive awareness of the need to adjust buoyancy, because you simply can't do it as fast, or from as many positions in a dry suit as you can when diving wet. Some of that can't be taught, but simply has to be learned; even if you took a class, it would be wise to keep your first dozen or so dry suit dives relatively shallow, in case you lose control. Classes teach recovery procedures, but I have to say that, in my unfortunately not insignificant experience with feet-first ascents, you simply don't have time to execute them in most cases. Avoidance is a far better strategy!
In addition, there are things to learn about dry suit care and handling, most of which I think you can find in SB threads -- rinsing, seal care, zipper care and appropriate products have all been discussed here.
I don't think learning to use a dry suit is beyond the scope of someone who is experienced diving wet, and has good buoyancy control. An instructor might be able to shorten the process, but you can do it yourself.
Research, find a mentor, read, read, read. I was fortunate and a kind soul gave me the PADI book (jax) and dvd. Irishsquid dove with me and advised me. I have moved the book forward otherwise I would offer it. After a signed and notorized release mind you. LOL
Maybe that person will offer to share it.
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Maybe that person will offer to share it.
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