Ok - I bit the bullet

[Pyromaniac]

After posting a few times on here and reading far too much to take in, yesterday I booked myself in for a combined Open Water and Adventure dive course in not so sunny Portland (UK)

Had a good chat with the guys at Undersea Explorers and got my gear for the course, (mask fins snorkel boots) and got everything to fit in the shop before buying.

I didnt need to buy fins as they are supplied with the course, but I had already decided to get my own, as then I can use them before the course and afterwards and will get used to my own gear. I got Scubapro jets for the fins, and a Halcyon mask, the mask was a great fit straight off the shelf - didnt need to inhale to get it to stick, just pushed it on, stuck the snorkel in my mouth and could not shake it off at all.

SO now have a bit of reading up to do - course is not for 12 weeks or so - and I have a pool to use that I can practice clearing and getting used to the fins and mask etc.

I fitted spring straps to the fins, they dont appear loose, but I noticed they (fins) do want to try and pull the boot off.

Does this mean my boots are too loose fitting? my straps are too loose? or both ? They said if the straps were too loose ( I was sort of between M and L sizes ) they would change them for me.

It feels like if the boots had a strap on them around the ankle or something that they would be ok. (6mm side zip neoprene Beaver boots)

Is there such a thing available ? I didnt get the boots from Undersea Explorers - already had them................

 

[Trinigordo]

Good news is you now get to experience something incredible, bad news is you are now going to be poor. Hope your certs go well and you have fun.

 

[dbulmer]

Pyro,
Sounds like the boots are a little too big. See if you can borrow a size smaller from them. If they then fit buy the boots. It might be better not to muck around with the fins - will you be learning in a wetsuit or drysuit?

 

[dbulmer]

Pyro, A bit of advice - in the pool try breathing through your snorkel without your mask on. If you get uncomfy doing this in the pool, then try sticking your face in a sink and breathe through the snorkel. Use warm water to start with and then start dropping the temperature a little bit. You'll find this might help in mask removal and getting used to cold water. In 3 months the water will be a lot warmer (but still cool)

And well done ! PS I also have a Halcyon mask and Jetfins - I suspect you'll be looking at Backplate and Wing in the not too distant future

 

[Pyromaniac]

Thanks guys, i havent yet used the boots in water, just to try the fins for fit in the shop - so I can still return them if need be. I will try a pair of 7's next time I am in the shop to see if it makes a difference at all.

UE provides wetsuits for the course, but the norm from what I see around here is for drysuits or semi dry suits.

Am I right in thinking that semi dry suits are basically wetsuits with seals? ie they let water in but it stays in - your not constantly flushing out the warmed up water like a wetsuit? and that they dont have to be constantly regulated as there is no air inside them?

If so - are semi dry suits ok for UK use? and do they run cheaper than dry suits?

I wouldnt want to restrict myself to summer only diving in the UK as I live minutes away from the dive boats and Portland Harbour !

It would be nice to learn in my own suit, but I have forced myself so far to only get the things I need for the course, but tried to get items that will last for a while and not require replacing in a years time, hence the Halcbyon mask and Jetfins.

As regards the backplate and wings - i'm already leaning towards the long hose route before setting foot in the water - not due to the school involved but just from trawling these forums. I'm not prepared to invest in that gear though - even though it would be good to learn in it - until I know that divings the thing for me !

The pool I have use of belongs to my boss - I work at a private house and maintain it)

not a huge pool but it goes from shallow to around 6 foot, so ideal for me to practise in and get used to the mask and gear.

So - todays questions

Semi dry or dry - and differences....... use - costs etc
Semi dry ok for UK use year round?

Any local bods want to come and play in the pool while my boss is away on hols just pm me sometime......................

 

[KOMPRESSOR]

Semis would be ok in UK in the summer, I suppose...
But I will not hesitate to advice you to get a dry suit as your first suit. I'm just waiting for the day I'll be able to visit Scapa Flow! -And dive dry...

Anyway, welcome to a great hobby! Consentrate more on the diving than on buying gear at first, because then you'll make up yuor own mind instead of just buying what they tell you to at the dive centre.

Here are pictures from my latest dive trip: http://www.turut.no/hitra_februar2006.htm

-So if you ever fell like crossing over to Norway for diving, let me know!

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Congratulations! I also commend you for hanging out here and asking great questions. That'll go a long way and serve you well. It also looks like you've selected an excellent dive center to work with.

You've begun an exciting journey. I'm also very early on that journey and after being certified last fall I am very anxious for this next diving season to start. It's like being a kid again!

Good Luck.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Congratulations, Pyro! You've already received some excellent advice, here. Have a BLAST!! There is nothing, NOTHING, that compares to diving...

 

[Pyromaniac]

Well - there is for me - but as it involves copious amounts of gasoline and black powder and lots of things the non trained public shouldnt know about - I'll keep it to myself

 

[JMcD]

...
It would be nice to learn in my own suit, but I have forced myself so far to only get the things I need for the course, but tried to get items that will last for a while and not require replacing in a years time, hence the Halcbyon mask and Jetfins.
......................

In my opinion, this is a good call, I quickly purchased gear for my local diving after my course, but it is not uncommon for people to go all out and buy gear to find they do NOT like breathing underwater (I really can't imagine why, but it happens ) and promptly sell it. A dry suit isn't a small investment, so I wouldn't suggest you buy one unless you know that you are going to keep with the hobby - Just my opinion on how to approach a fairly significant purchase. Sounds like you generally agree with this given your comment below...

...
As regards the backplate and wings - i'm already leaning towards the long hose route before setting foot in the water - not due to the school involved but just from trawling these forums. I'm not prepared to invest in that gear though - even though it would be good to learn in it - until I know that divings the thing for me !
................

Just a small comment here (No flames please). Remember that this board, and any board on the net, will have its own biases. While many here will recommend a long hose/DIR/Hogarthian/whatever set up, remember that there are a lot of opinions out there. My own opinion: take a diligent approach to diving well and safely. Then figure out the gear that meets your needs and approach. It isn't that any of these configurations are "right" or "wrong" by their nature (Again, no flames... lets realize that there are options here) just more or less suited to specific environments and needs. Some are more widely known and recognized, some are more versatile etc... just remember that every board will have its biases and opinions may be worth the money you pay for them...


PS: Welcome to Diving! I hope you love it as much as many of us maniacs here...