Solo Diving Cert: Should I get new BC or stay with old one?

[tizzylish27]

I'll be going end of June for my Advanced OW & solo diving certs; I have an Oceanic Excursion BC that I've had difficulty releasing air from; I have to twist all the way sideways & yank like hell. My biggest problem to date has been uncontrolled ascents which I think came from early issues of being overweighted (12-16 lbs. for a 130-lb. women) & my difficulty to release aire. My more recent dives have been 6 lbs. plus using trim weights, & I've had no problems, but I'm still anxious. Uncontrolled from 60 isn't the same as uncontrolled from 100. First, should I even be introducing new equipment, i.e. devil you know vs. the one you don't. Second, I've been looking at the Zeagle Lazer but for solo diving with a pony tank, do I need a different rig? This is probably a stupid question, but is a pony tank a '2nd tank' or is a '2nd tank' a full-sized cylinder? Thanks for any replies...

 

[grantwiscour]

Keep getting some experience with your current gear. I'm not sure why the difficulty in releasing air from your BC. I would recommend taking your BC to the LDS and making sure everything is functioning properly and that you are properly using the gear.

For your weighting, make sure you do a weight check before your dives. This will ensure that your not over-weighted and help control your ascents.

IMO, keep logging dives with a buddy for awhile and keep getting more comfortable in the water before going solo.

 

[ianr33]

IMO, keep logging dives with a buddy for awhile and keep getting more comfortable in the water before going solo.

Totally agree.

If you're still working on the mechanics of diving, throwing solo into the mix is not the best idea.

 

[drrich2]

A 2'nd tank can be a pony bottle, or it can be a full-sized cylinder (as in doubles, side-mount or, with a stage harness, clipped to your BCD front D-rings on one side).

I'd want a comfortable BCD for the solo course. Taking your mask off, changing out with one in your BCD pocket, and you can't see well because of the water in your face & eyes, it's not a good time for poor buoyancy.

Now, if you've worked out the problems with your BCD, and it's now comfortable, fine. I'm just saying that the solo course I did with SDI can challenge your buoyancy a bit at time.

Richard.

 

[Nemrod]

I will just say it, if you are having buoyancy skill issues and uncontrolled ascents then you are not ready for solo diving, regardless of any certifications.

N

 

[redacted]

There are 3 valve for dumping air on your BCD. You need to master the operation of all three of them before you consider solo diving.

 

[tizzylish27]

Thank you for the quick replies...I'll stick with my BC; I'll have 6-8 dives the first couple days in Bonaire, I would expect my instructor to tell me whether I should take the solo exercises or not. I guess it's because I'm taking trips by myself now since I'm on the East Coast, most trips have 'couples'. This is my first trip with a group as opposed to friends, I just don't want to bother them. But all your points are well-taken....and I haven't had buoyancy issues in my last few trips, it's a 'hangover' anxiety during my first 0-30 dives.

---------- Post added June 1st, 2013 at 12:40 PM ----------

My BC only has two dumps but I will definitely practice on the bladder pull on the trip...thank you...

 

[ianr33]

I would expect my instructor to tell me whether I should take the solo exercises or not. .

Why not get an independent opinion, from an instructor that does not have have a financial stake as to whether you are ready or not?

 

[tizzylish27]

Hmmm......I wouldn't know how to go about that. I know that the instructor who certified me in Florida just checked the boxes. I had done my pool work, but the weekend for the open water dives in Key West, the weather was awful, the waves were nearing 5 feet & I could barely do anything because of the circumstance but he certified me anyway. I knew it was BS. Since then, I've tried to practice each time I go on a trip, but it has been with friends, not instructors & they aren't accomplished divers.

 

[spectrum]

I agree with others

1) Your BC is a real product and can work. Some have a trick or 2 for 100% venting. Find a mentor an instructor that deals in that brand to go in the water with you.

2) If you were to change BC I'd want to see you train and certify in the same gear you would practice solo diving in.

3) From the issues you describe you are nowhere ready to consider solo diving. Go work on basic buoyancy competency.

4) All you need is a BC that fits you, you have mastered and has a shoulder and hip D ring. I suppose a tank mount would even relax the ring requirement though IMO back mount is not the way to go.

Pete