laikabear
Contributor
I'm not Jim, but I have done a lot of pool practice for developing my own skills, plus some pool time in classes.
YMMV, but I like to take all my usual gear into the pool and wear my usual undergarment layers and dry gloves. Yes it looks ridiculous and I get a bunch of stares and questions. But, I struggled a LOT with my valve drill. I used the pool to practice that, and it's easier with fewer undergarments, without gloves, and if you're using thinner tanks (like the 72s I use for shore dives) vs the 100s I use for boat diving, because the 72s are just that much closer to my back. So I always gear up for the pool just like I do for the ocean. Because it makes sense to practice something how you need to be able to do it, if it's possible.
It made for some very sweaty dives this summer at the indoor pool that's 80 degrees and humid. But I generally tolerate heat better than cold, and I got through it, and after a lot of practice, I got that valve drill down. It also helps to wear the type of gloves you'll use in the class. It's way easier to clip things on and off with no gloves on, but realistically in the ocean around here, I'll always have dry gloves on, so yep, wool liners and dry gloves in the pool, too.
Just my 2c. I've found pool training to really be helpful for me personally. I practice skills on ocean dives too sometimes (ok, maybe lots of times), but nothing beats a solid hour of just working on whatever you're weak on in the pool when you are trying to acquire and refine new skills.
Can you believe we're on Page 11 and we haven't even gotten in the pool yet? @Marie13 sure does know how to post a thread that's popular!
YMMV, but I like to take all my usual gear into the pool and wear my usual undergarment layers and dry gloves. Yes it looks ridiculous and I get a bunch of stares and questions. But, I struggled a LOT with my valve drill. I used the pool to practice that, and it's easier with fewer undergarments, without gloves, and if you're using thinner tanks (like the 72s I use for shore dives) vs the 100s I use for boat diving, because the 72s are just that much closer to my back. So I always gear up for the pool just like I do for the ocean. Because it makes sense to practice something how you need to be able to do it, if it's possible.
It made for some very sweaty dives this summer at the indoor pool that's 80 degrees and humid. But I generally tolerate heat better than cold, and I got through it, and after a lot of practice, I got that valve drill down. It also helps to wear the type of gloves you'll use in the class. It's way easier to clip things on and off with no gloves on, but realistically in the ocean around here, I'll always have dry gloves on, so yep, wool liners and dry gloves in the pool, too.
Just my 2c. I've found pool training to really be helpful for me personally. I practice skills on ocean dives too sometimes (ok, maybe lots of times), but nothing beats a solid hour of just working on whatever you're weak on in the pool when you are trying to acquire and refine new skills.
Can you believe we're on Page 11 and we haven't even gotten in the pool yet? @Marie13 sure does know how to post a thread that's popular!