pool practice

[fjpatrum]

Being a brand new diver with used but "new to me" gear, I'm considering a couple of options.

I have a trip to Hawaii coming up in just over a month. I'm trying to wrangle some time to do a dive or two locally to practice and get familiar with my gear, but that's looking less and less likely.

I'm wondering what you fine folks with more experience think of the option of pool practice (mostly for trim and buoyancy control-such as I will be able to practice in a pool) and whether it will be of any real use.

I'm comfortable with the breathing and don't seem to be a ridiculous gas hog from what I can tell from my pool sessions and OW dives. I'm mostly thinking about the possibility of being in a pool by myself to test my gear while my daughter or wife are at the surface watching to make sure nothing crazy happens. I don't have any local buddies who are certified that I can do this with or I'd probably get them to go too. Will it be worth the time and effort of renting a tank and getting to a pool? Anyone know of any issues (other than making sure the pool management is okay with me using the pool for such activities) I am not thinking of that I should be?

My other options are to do a couple of shore dives before my charters to get acquainted with my gear, which I will probably do either way, but again, I have no-one local to do this with so my options are hire a DM for a couple hours or do a solo at shallow depths. Obviously the "hire a pro" option is the appropriate choice for that. I'd be interested, however in hearing folks experiences as to when (and why) they started solo diving. Personally, I like the camaraderie and comfort of other people in the water with me, but I can see doing solos in the future as well.

 

[ClarkKent]

You could try going to a LDS and getting into a OW Refresher. Explain to them you want to brush up and test new gear. Doing this will give you the comfort of other people and a DM/Instructor to help you with your new gear and trim.

I know my LDS's offer refreshers for around $65 and they are usually done in a pool.

 

[Scuba.com]

A bit of practice in the pool is never a bad thing. While a very controlled situation it is still a change to put on your gear, get comfy with it and be underwate with it all. It will help a bit with learning buoyancy control and such as well, but remember when you go to the ocean, the buoyancy characteristics will change. You'll be more buoyant in the salt water than in the pool.

Stopping by your LDS isn't a bad idea as well. Often you'll be able to meet other local divers who are looking for new dive buddies as well.

 

[spectrum]

It will certainly be of good use. If you take a refresher or have someone that can mentor you you will get more from it than just messing around. Anything you can do to get neutral and familiar with the gear will help.

Be sure to run through the basic skills too.

Here is a page that has some thoughts about sorting out weights, trim and that transition to salt water.

Pete

 

[herman]

Pool practice is never a bad thing but why not take a weekend and head over to Rawlings quarry for a little better OW experience. I would bet if you post here you might just find a buddy or 2 to meet you there.

 

[fjpatrum]

herman, that's the best case option but, as I said, it's rapidly becoming non-viable due to scheduling of so many other things in life. An hour or two at a pool a couple of different days is far more realistic, though I'm still trying to do some quarry dives. I'm significantly closer to millbrook than rawlings but either way the situation still holds.

I can do a pool dive on an evening after work, whereas the quarry I have to do on the weekend (or during work hours) and it will take a much longer amount of time away from everything else.

 

[spectrum]

herman, that's the best case option but, as I said, it's rapidly becoming non-viable due to scheduling of so many other things in life. An hour or two at a pool a couple of different days is far more realistic, though I'm still trying to do some quarry dives. I'm significantly closer to millbrook than rawlings but either way the situation still holds.

I can do a pool dive on an evening after work, whereas the quarry I have to do on the weekend (or during work hours) and it will take a much longer amount of time away from everything else.

What about those reflecting pools I see when I fly into DCA?

 

[TSandM]

No time spent underwater is wasted. A pool is a fine place to practice buoyancy control, adjust your weighting and trim, or working on kicking. Doing it by yourself is not optimal, mostly because you won't get any worthwhile feedback except the kind you can give yourself. I spent a lot of time in my own backyard pool (max depth 9') in the first year I was diving, working on skills. I even did some of it with nobody around (gasp!)

You might make an appeal here for somebody to do the pool dives with you -- you never know; there might be somebody who would like to do that.