Rescue Diver and Dry Suit

[Hal]

Will be taking both Rescue Diver and Dry Suit courses (PADI) towards the end of the month. For Rescue Diver, is the DVD/video essential or should the book be sufficient?

And for the dry suit course, does the book offer theory that will make a difference above and beyond what one would hear in the class and do in the practical (in-water) sessions?

Would appreciate any thoughts.

Hal

 

[RIDIVER501]

Will be taking both Rescue Diver and Dry Suit courses (PADI) towards the end of the month. For Rescue Diver, is the DVD/video essential or should the book be sufficient?

And for the dry suit course, does the book offer theory that will make a difference above and beyond what one would hear in the class and do in the practical (in-water) sessions?

Would appreciate any thoughts.

Hal

the DVD/VHS is an excellent learning tool that will definitely enhance your training and proficiency. Plus it is a good reference to go back too after you are certified

 

[MSilvia]

I won't say it isn't a helpful tool, but in my experience with PADI course materials, the video isn't likely to present anything that isn't in the book. I've foregone the dvd purchase for my own training, but have watched them in class. I think it comes down to whether you feel that repetition and non-written format will help you learn the material better, and whether or not you want a copy for review.

I think the dry-suit book is a good idea though (even if I don't agree with everything it teaches), and I'm a bit suprised to hear it's optional for you.

 

[RIDIVER501]

The DVD that goes with the new rescue diver course is excellent compared to the video for the older course. I recommend it becuase after you are a certified rescue diver are you going to go and retake the rescue diver course every few years as things get a bit fuzzy? of course not, the DVD provides you with an excellent review tool to keep your skills up to par

 

[opiniongirl]

the rescue dvd is useful as it does demonstrations on technique (hard to visualize with a book) Why do you have to buy? Dosen't the store own a copy that you can view as part of tuition?

As for the DSS - it should be mandatory - there are knowledge reviews in it that should be collected by the instructor. It goes through maintenance which is quite helpful, and contains info to become a more informed buyer.

 

[RIDIVER501]

Actually at the shop I work for and for the class I teach it is mandatory and is already included in the price of the course. At NDC we don't do the...ok signed up for the class. now you got to buy X,Y and Z and that is extra.

 

[mempilot]

For Rescue Diver, is the DVD/video essential or should the book be sufficient?

When I took the class, I didn't have the video. I watched it in the classroom. I kind of wish I had a DVD to go back and review, since carrying around a book when I travel isn't going to happen(weight and space).

And for the dry suit course, does the book offer theory that will make a difference above and beyond what one would hear in the class and do in the practical (in-water) sessions?

There are two theories on bouyancy control with a drysuit. A search will bring you more than you probably want to know, since those threads end up in an A vs. B heated argument. I'll present both objectively and tell you, I'm a believer in the second.

Theory A:

Use the drysuit for bouyancy control. This group feels that it is easier to only put air in one device. Managing air in a bc and drysuit over complicates things. The benefits are that there is one less piece of equipment to manage underwater. The disadvantage is that you have to manage a larger air mass distributed across the entire body.

Theory B:

Use the BC for bouyancy control and only put air in the suit to eliminate squeeze. This group feels that putting too much air in the suit can cause dynamic instability in the diver. They feel the bc was designed for bouyancy since it keeps the center of lift over the center of mass. The air in the suit is kept to a minimum for elimination of squeeze only so that it can't potentially cause a runaway ascent. The advantages are that your peak bouyancy is controlled the same way that you learned it in class - with the bc. The disadvantage is that you have to dump air from two sources on ascent.

Summary:

Both are acceptable ways of utilizing the drysuit. You should experiment with both and choose for yourself. You will learn the proper way to deal with an uncontrolled ascent in the class. Remember, the more air in the suit, the more you will have to be proficient at dealing with this quickly. Also remember, on shallow dives, it isn't much a problem. You're not adding much air to begin with. As you go deeper and take more mass with you, you will need more air in your bcd's to counter that mass. As you ascend, there will be a lot more expansion to deal with.

 

[Hal]

Thank you all for your thoughts. Ok, definately will buy both books. May hold off on the Rescue Diver DVD until the class to see if we use it there. If not, may get it afterwords.

Its not that these books aren't required. I'm taking the courses in Argentina and, since I'll be taking these in a fairly compressed period, would like to prepare in advance. Am thinking that this will make the actual class time move faster and be more productive.

Now, here's a thought, what would your recommendations be -- take dry suit first then rescue diver or otherway around. If drysuit first, do the rescue class in a drysuit?

Hal

 

[mempilot]

Don't look at the two courses as prereq's for each other. Take the ds class based on the conditions you'll be diving in. Take the Rescue class for the skill and knowledge. Doing the Rescue in the ds will be more of a challenge, so if you do the ds course first, you may want to make sure you have really honed those skills before doing the rescue.

A lot of the rescue course is surface work, but you will need to be able to manage an assisted ascent from depth, so bouyancy management should be a consideration.

 

[Hal]

Thanks. Was not thinking of one as prerequisite for the other. But your point about the bouyancy is a good one. Since I'll be doing both in a pretty tight schedule, it may make sense to do rescue and then ds.

Hal