Learning to dive ... again.

[BioLogic]

Two years ago I learned to dive.
Last year I got in about a hundred dives.

And this weekend I get to learn how all over again.

I'm taking a cavern diving class in May, so I got the long hose and swapped the snorkel for a pocket snorkel.
The water's still under 60, so I'm diving dry -- I got the suit late last fall and got only a few real dives and a bunch of pool ones before I got medically sidelined.
Since I needed new fins to fit the drysuit boots anyway, I got some BatFins (wanted something with a little more maneuverability in tight spots than my splits allow).
The medical issues made me swap out the vest BC for a backplate and wing, with a bungied second instead of the Air2.
And to top it off, the surgeons rearranged *me* a little bit too.

All of a sudden the only old equipment I'm diving with is mask and weights.

I'm sure glad I've got a few weekends in the quarry to get comfortable with all this stuff!

Since I need to learn a bunch of new habits anyway, does it it make it harder or easier to swap out the whole lot at once? I could transition a little slower, such as keeping split fins for a bit. (And if I don't get comfortable fast enough, I can always go to Plan B on the cavern class.)

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I bet the only thing that takes a little getting used to is the long-hose primary reg and necklaced backup. Practice air-sharing with your buddy on every dive, and it will feel comfortable in no time.

I noticed so much "improvement" in a BP/W on my first dive in that configuration that no adjustment period was required at all.

I'm not sure what BatFins are. I transitioned from split fins to paddle fins very quickly. My maximum speed decreased but I gained much more maneuverability. YMMV.

 

[jstamets]

I just swapped almost the same things you did. Went from a back inflate to a BPW, added a 7 foot hose, switched from splits to paddles, and dropped my SS1 (Air2) for a bungeed second. Just did my first pool today and it felt... Better! So much less stuff. I do need to figure out where to connect the computer and I didn't have the bungee for the second during the "dive", so that was a bit annoying (just hanging there). I was a little concerned that the 7 foot hose would require some getting used to, especially since I went from a swivel T2 to a non-swivel M1, but it was very comfortable. I would like to practice sharing though. The BPW is heavier than my BCD, so I was neutral with no weight at all.

Really, it was very anti-climactic.

 

[gbray]

Glad to see you are back in the saddle again.I told Sabbath I saw your BP/W in the LDS before you picked it up. It is a cute little thing. I don't think you will have any trouble at all. It feels a little different at first but you will be amazed at how you will come to love it. Last weekend I thought I would try my back inflate BC again just because it has been a while since I used it. It was not good at all. I was soooo glad to be back in my BP/W on the second dive. I have read how some say they will never go back to a BCD. I thought they were crazy. Now I am one of the crazies and I bet you will be also.

Good luck and if you are out this weekend I may run into you.

 

[sabbath999]

I'm not sure what BatFins are.

BatFins are local slang for the Hollis F1 fins... since the locals think they look like something that Batman would SCUBA with.

I've been using them for six months.

 

[The Chairman]

You'll have a great time!

The best thing to work on before you get to class is your ability to hover motionless a foot above the bottom. In order to achieve this, you have to master your trim and buoyancy. Here's a fun exercise:

After you have gotten comfortable, settle about 12" over a point on the bottom and try to stay there. Once you get stable, close your eyes for 30 seconds. Open them and see where you are.

Adjust your weight forwards or backwards a tiny bit and repeat. Keep at it until you can close your eyes for more than a minute with very little movement.

 

[BioLogic]

You'll have a great time!

The best thing to work on before you get to class is your ability to hover motionless a foot above the bottom. In order to achieve this, you have to master your trim and buoyancy. Here's a fun exercise:

After you have gotten comfortable, settle about 12" over a point on the bottom and try to stay there. Once you get stable, close your eyes for 30 seconds. Open them and see where you are.

Adjust your weight forwards or backwards a tiny bit and repeat. Keep at it until you can close your eyes for more than a minute with very little movement.

It does sound like fun...and rather like the games I usually play while Sabbath takes pics. But how do I stop those nasty bluegill from sneaking in for a bite?

 

[The Chairman]

Kentucky Piranha (aka bluegill) just make it more interesting.