filmguy123
Contributor
I have an OWW under my belt. I did well.
Wondering about doing a group trip with a number of instructors and DMs to a 3000' altitude dive for a weekend trip next weekend (10 days from now). It sounds like a great and responsible/knowledgeable group going.
It would also be my first actual diving post course.
In addition, I would be switching from BC jacket and wetsuit to BP/W and drysuit for this next weekend in 10 days. In the interim, I would go to a pool to dial in my BP/W settings in board shorts in the pool. Then I would be taking my drysuit cert in the pool. And then I would be doing 2x check out dives my drysuit before this dive. However, the checkout dives would be at elevation also - 1500' - on the way to the altitude lake the group is diving.
So basically, OWW, 3 pool dives (1x BP/W focused, 2x Drysuit + BP/W focused with private instructor, 2x 1500' elevation dives with drysuit for checkout dives, and then the weekend diving trip for the 3000' altitude dives).
Any red flags about this? I understand the margin for error is less with altitude dives. I understand I am new with very limited experience. I understand I would be adding drysuit into the mix, as well as BP/W. On the other hand, I am with a good group of instructors and DMs to help guide me, and would be preparing as best as possible in the week preceding with training, etc. and felt pretty comfortable at OW.
What say ye? I'd love to do the trip, it would be a great experience, great people, and great diving (certainly better visibility than anything else up here in PNW) and I am anxious to get out there! On the other hand, safety first.
I would be diving in a USIA Techniflex drysuit, DSS SS backplate w/35lbs Taurus wing, Hollis F1 fins, Apeks XTX50/DST regs, Shearwater Perdix which as I understand compensates automatically for altitude (I would also do my homework on altitude diving beforehand, and request to work with the knowledge portion of this with my drysuit instructor).
Opinions, wisdom, reality checks, insights... GO! I am open to whatever. I want to have fun, but I want to be safe.
Wondering about doing a group trip with a number of instructors and DMs to a 3000' altitude dive for a weekend trip next weekend (10 days from now). It sounds like a great and responsible/knowledgeable group going.
It would also be my first actual diving post course.
In addition, I would be switching from BC jacket and wetsuit to BP/W and drysuit for this next weekend in 10 days. In the interim, I would go to a pool to dial in my BP/W settings in board shorts in the pool. Then I would be taking my drysuit cert in the pool. And then I would be doing 2x check out dives my drysuit before this dive. However, the checkout dives would be at elevation also - 1500' - on the way to the altitude lake the group is diving.
So basically, OWW, 3 pool dives (1x BP/W focused, 2x Drysuit + BP/W focused with private instructor, 2x 1500' elevation dives with drysuit for checkout dives, and then the weekend diving trip for the 3000' altitude dives).
Any red flags about this? I understand the margin for error is less with altitude dives. I understand I am new with very limited experience. I understand I would be adding drysuit into the mix, as well as BP/W. On the other hand, I am with a good group of instructors and DMs to help guide me, and would be preparing as best as possible in the week preceding with training, etc. and felt pretty comfortable at OW.
What say ye? I'd love to do the trip, it would be a great experience, great people, and great diving (certainly better visibility than anything else up here in PNW) and I am anxious to get out there! On the other hand, safety first.
I would be diving in a USIA Techniflex drysuit, DSS SS backplate w/35lbs Taurus wing, Hollis F1 fins, Apeks XTX50/DST regs, Shearwater Perdix which as I understand compensates automatically for altitude (I would also do my homework on altitude diving beforehand, and request to work with the knowledge portion of this with my drysuit instructor).
Opinions, wisdom, reality checks, insights... GO! I am open to whatever. I want to have fun, but I want to be safe.
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