Need local saltwater boyancy checkout

[Likes2Cruise]

Screw it. We'll take the 15 minutes or so on our first dive in Grand Cayman to get the weights right. I'd be more concerned about getting run over by the jet skis at Ben T than the bacteria. Plus I think I'd have to swim 1/2 way to St. Pete to find deep water.

Anyway, we'll have the whole day at Cayman, so a little time getting weighted won't kill us. I'm just getting eager to get to the reefs. But we are new and need to take it slow anyway.

Once we get back, tha I'll start bugging everyone here about local-ish shore dives. May not compare to the dives from the cruise, but it's all about the bottom time.

Brian

 

[deepstops]

If you know your weighting in freshwater, it's easy to switch to salt. Just add 2.5% to what you and your gear weigh. So, if you and all your gear weigh 300 lbs. combined, you need to add 7.5 lbs. to the weight you're diving with in fresh.

 

[427Dave]

The dive shops at your destinations will usually help you out with the weight. They all usually have a nice shallow easy dive that is great for getting to feel more comfortable in the water and adjusting weight. These dives will even have resort course divers trying scuba for the first time on them. I usually always do one of these dives as my first dive when I go to a new location just to get the feel on how the dive shop operates and it always is a long dive with a lot of bottom time and good photo chances, expecially with new divers, I usually add 6 lbs going to salty water. You do not need to be in a hurry, take your time and enjoy the check out.

Have fun on your trip...

 

[DiveBandit]

Once we get back, tha I'll start bugging everyone here about local-ish shore dives. May not compare to the dives from the cruise, but it's all about the bottom time.

Brian

Nothing to wonder about, gulf diving is ka ka compared to Cayman.

If your going on Carnival, and your on the "Inspiration", try to get the dinning room with an indian matradee named Baboo, the guy is a rip and will have you in stitches every night. Especially when he tells you how he sends cards from the town of Hell in Grand Cayman to his mother in-law simply saying, "Wish you were here".

 

[Likes2Cruise]

Going on the Carnival Legend, leaving Sunday. No Baboo for me.

 

[giles45shop]

Have a great time!

I tried the "add 6#" recommendation, and it didn't work for me for cold water. Diving a 7mm full suit & hooded vest, I needed 21# in Redondo Beach. Yesterday, with the exact same set-up, I used 6# in fresh water at the Haigh Quarry in Kankakee, IL. Got to love that cold (54F) water

Another benefit to the check out dive is equipment check. I did the Skyway Bridge check out just before CA in January. Although I had used the gear a couple weeks, before, I found a small leak in my SPG hose that I was able to fix before going.

John

 

[Missdirected]

Screw it. We'll take the 15 minutes or so on our first dive in Grand Cayman to get the weights right. I'd be more concerned about getting run over by the jet skis at Ben T than the bacteria. Plus I think I'd have to swim 1/2 way to St. Pete to find deep water.

Now that is a plan Stan. Be sure to let the DM's know what you are doing before you do it, just in case :14: Oh and don't forget to bring back pics.

 

[Fox-Cousteau]

Bradenton has 2 good shore dives called the sugar barge and the regina. Sea trek divers is right across the street. Its like 15ft and is a wreck with some life..Let me know if you want any mor einfo on this..Well there is a ton of offshore wrecks with no boat traffic..Egmont key has a shollow wreck/rubble..Let me know if ya want any more info.

I"d be interested in this information. I posted a thread about dive info for 10-8 please post your response there. Thanks ahead of time....