This weekend I took the in-water portion of the NAUI NTEC class, I guess this is somewhat equivalent to a DIR-F or intro to tech type class. Its all about the "uniform", how its worn and operated, and basic water skills including trim, buoyancy, propulsion, air sharing, valve shutdowns, shooting a bag, clipping, carrying and upclipping stages.
It was an utter disaster for me from the moment I got to the quarry. I was running 30 mins late and was feeling hurried when I arrived. I was even more hurried - four divers waiting on me - when I discovered a leaking reg and had to swap out a 2nd stage even though I tested the night before.
Finally got into the water and was having buoyancy issues with my new D/S and undergarments - first dive with these (I had planned to dive on New Years day, but bailed under pressure from the spouse).
Started to set my buoyancy in the suit and almost immediately got severe leg cramps - suffered from these all day long just about anytime I started to demonstrate a skill and had to abort and stretch. I take a good multi-vitamin + 1100mg potassium gluconate every day but that is only 5% RDA.
I was also having problems with my new hood filling with air, pushing on my regulator and causing mask issues as well as affecting my buoyancy.
My D/S buoyancy problems prevented me from achieving proper trim - possibly because I was not used to the different feel rather than any actual issues, but every time I bent my knees I felt my feet heading to the surface.
I found it next to impossible to reach my valves to perform the valve shutdowns. Even in a vertical, head down position, waist and crotch strap loose, it was extremely difficult. This is where I almost drowned myself. I finally managed to shut off the isolator and right post when simulating a free flowing primary reg, but when I went to switch to my backup, my hood which didn't fit properly slid up over my mouth preventing me from putting in the reg. I thought I was gonna breath water before I finally managed to get it in.
I was also getting frustrated as I had thought there would be more instruction in how to perform the tasks, instead it was more just me attempting to demonstrate capability.
I thumbed the last dive, what a nightmare.
Now some time has passed and I've thought about it, it has boiled down to several issues:
1) diving with new, untested, unfamiliar gear - DOH!. I have now trimmed my hood and enlarged the hole on top. I've switched to a steel backplate. I was about neutrally buoyant at 1,600 psi. The Worthington X8 are 119 cu ft at 3442, so 28.924 psi/cu ft or 14.462 psi / cu ft for doubles. 1,600 psi is therefore 110 cu ft which weighs 9 lbs. The steel backplate is about 6 lbs heavier than the AL, so I'll add 2x 2lbs on a weight belt which might also help the "feet floatiness" problem.
2) leg cramps. no clue. I was well hydrated. I was not cold - quite the opposite. I have a reasonable diet. Plenty of sleep the night before, no alcohol for several days prior, the afore mentioned dietary supplements....I have picked up 30lbs of fat in the last three years - going from 6 pack abs to blubber man - guess its a sign to get my butt back in shape again. stretching and weights started today (at 6am groan).
3) reaching valves. no idea here. Some additional air in the d/s might help, as I was pinched a bit to avoid the buoyancy problems noted above. but honestly I'm not sure that will really help much, need suggestions here.
4) I cannot for the life of me fin backwards. frog, modified frog, helicopter turns, etc all no prob (well, when I don't have all the other issues) but I was finning my fat butt off and not moving an inch in any direction.
I think the answer to 3 and 4 is some (more) instruction.
I WILL be successful at this, but darn that was a bad start to it.
Seriously, I may take you up on it, but I was uncomfortably hot in a shell suit w/o any undergarments, with my undergarments on I think it could be dangerous. However, if its OK, I will bring my 11yo daughter over I need to work with her a bit as she needs to brush up on some skills. when is the pool open?
