New OW certified diver, silly question about pool diving

[tenover]

I got my OW certification in July 2011 and made only a couple dives after that on rental equipment. I've since purchased a new tank (steel HP100) and USED reg, octo, etc...My reg/octo/dive computer are currently at my local dive shop getting serviced, and once that's done, I want to go for a "test" dive in a friends pool before going out into the ocean (shore diving at La Jolla shores)......Yeah, I guess I'm a little paranoid! Anyways, if I'm diving in a 12' pool for 30 minutes or so, are there any issues with practicing skills and resurfacing constantly? I plan to have the pools owner there and watching just as a precaution.....I'm a sucker for safety.

 

[fisheater]

Sounds like a plan

While you're at it, perfect your weighting.

Once you're done with a your skills practice, purge your tank down to about 500 psi and empty your BCD (& drysuit). Take out weights (placing them on the pool bottom), until you can float just over the bottom of the pool and gently rise and fall as your exhale and inhale. What you have remaining on you is right amount for fresh water.

Then, once you're out of the pool, weigh yourself and all your gear. Multiply that by 2.5%. That's the amount of extra lead that you'll need for salt water.




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[Bob DBF]

Come up slowly and keep your airway open and your good. I do this with my gear after any work on it, wish I had a pool that deep to do it in.



Bob
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I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.

 

[TSandM]

Just remember that the proportional pressure changes are greatest in the most shallow water, so the instruction against holding your breath on ascent is very important in pools! Also, repeated ascents and descents can be very hard on your ears, so be very careful to equalize early and gently.

If you have someone watching who freedive to the bottom of the pool, there is very little risk involved in doing what you propose. And it's a very good idea to make sure all your equipment is working, and that you know how to use it, before you get in the ocean.

 

[tenover]

Awesome....Thanks to all I love this board. The correct weighting is something I thought about, but since it would be so much different in cold (60-70F) salt water, with a new 7mil. wetsuit, I thought I would do that on my first ocean dive.....no?

 

[Jax]

Awesome....Thanks to all I love this board. The correct weighting is something I thought about, but since it would be so much different in cold (60-70F) salt water, with a new 7mil. wetsuit, I thought I would do that on my first ocean dive.....no?

Good for you, tenover!!

What fisheater said will work, tenover. How about you try that, and then check it in the ocean?


I don't get near to water nearly often enough, and I will do at least one day a month in a pool -- more if I can! I feel so much more confident when I practice my skills, and I use video to assess how I'm doing. Some people gave me a rash of over it, but I just :mooner:. The truth is, when you dunk for the first time in six months, and you feel and ARE ready for anything life throws at you, it's awesome!

 

[Teller]

Exhale and have fun.

 

[Sheri SGR]

Practice safe ascent skills and no problem, a good plan especially with new gear.

 

[Dr Dog]

If this weather keeps up in my area I might dive my dads pool next week.

I think it is a great idea to play in pool right before you go, right before I went on my dive vacation this past winter, I went and got certified, so I had all sorts of hours in the pool and lake, so I was ready for the ocean.

 

[Crush]

Excellent!

If you can maintain good buoyancy control at 10 feet (where the buoyancy of your suit and BCD will change significantly within +/- 4 feet), you will be a master at 60 feet (where the buoyancy of your suit and BCD will change minimally within +/- 4 feet).

TSandM had a good point - watch the ears at 10 feet (where the air volume will change significantly within +/- 4 feet). After a day of diving I use a "prescription" that my MD gave me - ear drops made of 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 water, and 1/3 rubbing alcohol to dry and sterilize the ears, making the small tears which you may have caused less prone to infection.