New Monterey diver looking for guidance

[w84me2dive]

After my certification, I swore I would never dive in Monterey again (so cold and the weights were so heavy!).. .But now, surprise--just a few dives later, I'm hooked...!

My sister works as a divemaster in Monterey, and I enjoy going down with her to dive on the weekends. . . I do a lot of waiting around on the wall at Breakwater while she's in the water with students. I think it's time for me to start making some new friends to dive with.

Being so new to cold water, I'm still having some problems with my buoyancy. For example, I just started wearing a 1mm under a 7mm suit (with a core warmer), and I still haven't figured out how much weight to wear! I am a woman who weighs between 125-130, 5ft 7in and tried 36 lbs last time . . . it didn't feel quite right.

My sister is divemastering a class next weekend and I'm looking for someone to help me master my buoyancy with this gear and exposure suit. Anyone up to helping a newbie?

 

[Kevrumbo]

Once a month, the Instructors at 5thd-x have a free, informal practice "Tweek" session for past, present & future students: http://www.breakthrudiving.com/index2.html
There's one today March 4, Sat. meeting first at the Breakwater at 9am (get there early and look for any divers carrying a lot spools & reels and other Tech gear, then ask them where to meet up with Instructor Joe Talavera). . .

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

36 pounds is a BUNCH for a guy your size. I used 32 or 34 when I dove a wetsuit and
AL80 tank. I'm 6'5". 205, and the wetsuit was three 7mm layers (hooded vest, farmer
john, and beaver tail jacket.), so I should need a good deal more weight than you.

Which tank you use affects how much lead you need. An AL80 needs about five
pounds more lead than a Pressed Steel HP100.

You can get a dive float and start taking lead off until you are neutral with an
empty BC and relaxed (relaxed is important). If you do this a the beginning of the
dive, put 5-6 pounds back on to compensate for the air you will breathe.

Once you get your weighting and buoyancy control wired, you will be amazed how
much easier diving is.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Hey Chuck, you missed part of the post, W84 is a woman

I agree, that's a lot of lead, I fit your description and I only wear 28lbs with my drysuit and I have thick insulation and keep quite a bit of air in it. My 1/4 inch wetsuit required 14-16 pounds. You are on the right track looking for someone to help with your buoyancy. You may not be exhaling all the way since you are new, that's actually pretty common. If you are subconsciously reserving extra air in your lungs (not holding your breath but not exhaling completely) it adds quite a bit of buoyancy.

Good luck, you'll get it sorted out! Welcome to the wonderful world of cold water diving! See, it can be fun--really, we're not crazy!
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[boomx5]

One of my recommendations would be to get out with someone who can help work with you on some of the issues you are having. There are a number of locals here in Sac that would be glad to help....myself included. In fact, we have a great group of divers that get out and practice from time to time in the local lakes from Folsom all the way to Tahoe. Sometime we even get out in the afternoons after work for a quick dip in the lake since Monterey is so far away. If you would like a little bit of info or would like to get out and join us sometime, don't hesitate to PM me and I'd be happy to get you the info. Oh, and welcome to Scubaboard.

 

[Ben_ca]

Welcome to Scubaboard,
Like Scott was saying there's often chances to dive closer to home... Also there's mentors out there that will take you under their wing if you are willing to learn.

Also that is a lot of lead... so take it easy and try to do a weight check next time.

 

[coreypenrose]

http://divewithcecil.com/

 

[Divmstr223]

w84me2dive,

I'm not a resident Northern Californian, but I will be up in Monterey to dive at Pt. Lobos the 14th and 15th. There was originally supposed to be 3 of us diving those two days....now there is only 2 of us and we have 2 reservations (4 divers). If you would like to come down and dive with us, My friend Anna and I would be happy to help you out. 36lbs is way too much weight and I'm sure you could get rid of some of that quickly.

Let me know if you want to come down and do some dives...it's March 14th and 15th....Tues and Wed......

And if anyone else would like to come on down (2 spots open), please email me.....We're just going to have some fun and take lots of pictures....

Steve

 

[ae3753]

Hurray, another Monterey diver!

The weekend of the 11th, I'll be at Breakwater assisting with classes as well. During our classes, certified divers can come dive if they want to sort things out or hang out. While the students are with the instructors doing skills, you can work on weighting and buoyancy.

Of course, this will be more of a skills dive than a fun dive. But, that's still better than being on land

PM me if you're interested.

 

[Wristshot]

Please note Chuck's comment about "relax". That is very important. A tense person often has a lot more air in their lungs, and is therefore more bouyant. As you get more comfortable, you will get more relaxed and you will discover that you don't need as much weight.

While no one can say what is the "right" amount of lead for any other person, 36 pounds does sound like a lot for a small person such as yourself. However, once you get yourself acclimated and relaxed, and get your bouyancy dialed in, don't sweat the actual number. Each person needs what they need. Period. Remember INAC "It's Not A Competition".

Note also that some instructors tend to overweight their students in the beginning. There are a number of reasons for this, and I am not going to debate the validity of those reasons. Now that you are getting more experienced, you can do some honest assessment of whether you are wearing too much lead.

Welcome to the big fraternity (sorority doesn't sound right), and welcome to Monterey Bay diving.

Dive Safe and Enjoy!

Wristshot