Casarez
Contributor
Just got back from my third dive trip to Florida Springs with my dive shop. This trip was a bit disappointing for various reasons. Most of those were out of anyone's control though. I did manage to get four dives in so it was not completely disappointing. Got to see some nice sized Bass and Gar in the river. 
Weight
- The first two dives were drift dives in Rainbow river. It was a bit shallow so we were asked to be slightly over weighted. I decided to stay at the weight I used for salt water (10lbs). That worked fine although I think I probably should have gone down to 8lbs.
Gear
- I am still using the same gear I had for the St. Thomas. I am getting a lot more comfortable with it and do not think I will be replacing any of it anytime soon. There are a few minor grips I have which mainly have to do with length/bulk and packing it all up. I would prefer fins smaller than what I have length wise more than anything but I like my bright ones.
Misc
- The most important thing I feel I learned is to call a dive when I am just not feeling it. By Saturday the temps were very low and the water was warmer than the air by 20-25 degrees or so at 72F. After the first two dives I was getting cold even in the water. So instead of doing the last two dives of the day I called it and sat out warming myself back up in the sun instead. Honestly, I have no regrets doing that at all.
The reason I say I finally learned this is related to my first dive trip. On that one after dive ten or so my nose would bleed a bit coming out of the water but would dry back up and be fine a few minutes later. I thought about sitting out some dives but kept going instead. I ended the trip with what the doc told me was a sinus infection which made the flight home not so great. I do not think diving so much did this, me not listening to my body was the reason since I did have some warning.
Weight
- The first two dives were drift dives in Rainbow river. It was a bit shallow so we were asked to be slightly over weighted. I decided to stay at the weight I used for salt water (10lbs). That worked fine although I think I probably should have gone down to 8lbs.
Gear
- I am still using the same gear I had for the St. Thomas. I am getting a lot more comfortable with it and do not think I will be replacing any of it anytime soon. There are a few minor grips I have which mainly have to do with length/bulk and packing it all up. I would prefer fins smaller than what I have length wise more than anything but I like my bright ones.
Misc
- The most important thing I feel I learned is to call a dive when I am just not feeling it. By Saturday the temps were very low and the water was warmer than the air by 20-25 degrees or so at 72F. After the first two dives I was getting cold even in the water. So instead of doing the last two dives of the day I called it and sat out warming myself back up in the sun instead. Honestly, I have no regrets doing that at all.
The reason I say I finally learned this is related to my first dive trip. On that one after dive ten or so my nose would bleed a bit coming out of the water but would dry back up and be fine a few minutes later. I thought about sitting out some dives but kept going instead. I ended the trip with what the doc told me was a sinus infection which made the flight home not so great. I do not think diving so much did this, me not listening to my body was the reason since I did have some warning.
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