OP
Daryl Morse
Contributor
Thanks everyone for your constructive replies. I'll try to respond to all the comments/questions that were raised.
Regarding my size and body type, I'm 5'10", 155 lbs and relatively lean. As was pointed out, since I was able to descend, I really don't think I need more weight.
Regarding the garments under the drysuit, I had only one layer on my legs and arms so I wouldn't want to wear any less. However, the fleece I wore on my top half may have had a few wrinkles that trapped excess air. I'll try wearing something less bulky next time. I'm still thinking that the BCD straps may have been too tight as well. I'll try loosening them a just bit next time.
Regarding a buoyancy check, we didn't do one. I'll try it next time. I read in another post that it's preferable to do it at 15 feet with 500 psi in the tank. Comments?
Regarding why I was hovering cross-legged, after seeing the picture in the PADI book and watching the instructors doing it, I just did the same thing. (I'll admit it, now I feel stupid.) It was relatively easy to hover upright in the pool with no drysuit. However, when I was doing it with a drysuit, it seemed very awkward and even more so now in retrospect. I feel much more in control in a prone position. For obvious reasons, I guess it should be that way.
Regarding the dump valve, I'll ask the dive shop to check why it was leaking. I didn't have any difficulty reaching it manually, but perhaps if it was partly open, more air would have worked out of the suit on its own. Actually, just to clarify, one of my instructors recommended closing it one turn, but not all the way. (The other said leave it completely open.) I started out with the valve partly closed until water leaked in, which is why I fully closed it.
Regarding using the drysuit for buoyancy, just to be clear, I was not told to do that. I was told to put air into drysuit for warmth and to use the BCD for buoyancy, which is what I attempted (albeit not entirely successfully) to do.
Regarding the water in the BCD, I should have been more clear. That was at the end of the day after two dives with the usual puttering around up and down and on the bottom to demonstrate OW skills. I'll check how much water comes out between dives next time.
Thanks again for the constructive feedback. I really appreciate it.
Regarding my size and body type, I'm 5'10", 155 lbs and relatively lean. As was pointed out, since I was able to descend, I really don't think I need more weight.
Regarding the garments under the drysuit, I had only one layer on my legs and arms so I wouldn't want to wear any less. However, the fleece I wore on my top half may have had a few wrinkles that trapped excess air. I'll try wearing something less bulky next time. I'm still thinking that the BCD straps may have been too tight as well. I'll try loosening them a just bit next time.
Regarding a buoyancy check, we didn't do one. I'll try it next time. I read in another post that it's preferable to do it at 15 feet with 500 psi in the tank. Comments?
Regarding why I was hovering cross-legged, after seeing the picture in the PADI book and watching the instructors doing it, I just did the same thing. (I'll admit it, now I feel stupid.) It was relatively easy to hover upright in the pool with no drysuit. However, when I was doing it with a drysuit, it seemed very awkward and even more so now in retrospect. I feel much more in control in a prone position. For obvious reasons, I guess it should be that way.
Regarding the dump valve, I'll ask the dive shop to check why it was leaking. I didn't have any difficulty reaching it manually, but perhaps if it was partly open, more air would have worked out of the suit on its own. Actually, just to clarify, one of my instructors recommended closing it one turn, but not all the way. (The other said leave it completely open.) I started out with the valve partly closed until water leaked in, which is why I fully closed it.
Regarding using the drysuit for buoyancy, just to be clear, I was not told to do that. I was told to put air into drysuit for warmth and to use the BCD for buoyancy, which is what I attempted (albeit not entirely successfully) to do.
Regarding the water in the BCD, I should have been more clear. That was at the end of the day after two dives with the usual puttering around up and down and on the bottom to demonstrate OW skills. I'll check how much water comes out between dives next time.
Thanks again for the constructive feedback. I really appreciate it.
