jfoutz
Guest
I just started diving dry with a Diving Concepts 2 mm compressed neoprene suit and a Weezle Extreme Undersuit. My problem? The usual - floaty feet. And I cant blame the suit because it fits PERFECTLY. But as a dry diving newbie (15 dives) I could really use some advice.
Reef and wreck diving are no problem, I just keep gas from migrating to my legs, and even if it does go there I can always just flip up and get it out of there. In cave diving however this is a BIG problem. Theres usually no choice but to descend head down and feet up. I dont add enough air to be totally comfortable, but only add enough so that Im not terribly uncomfortable and then use my wing for buoyancy. (Can I do valve shut downs like this? No way.) I use XL Dive-Rite fins with springs, which though not quite as hefty as Jetfins, still weigh a bit. (Im not changing fins, so please dont suggest going to Jetfins.) Also, I have my weights mounted as far down on my body as they can go. I dont have problems with runaway ascents BTW, just with positioning.
My cave instructor has very strongly discouraged me from considering ankle weights and doesnt think that gaiters are a good idea since my suit fits well. He basically thinks that I just need to work on my skulling techniques... And though hes never steered me wrong, at this point Im pretty desperate. My skulling just doesnt seem to be working.
Heres how I see my options:
a) Try gaiters and then ankle weights if that doesnt work.
b) Try ankle weights and then gaiters if the weights dont work.
c) Play around with both.
d) Suck it up, work on my skulling, and stop whining.
e) Anything else anyone can think of
I dont know if this matters in the decision any, but I have a very slim build 511, 140 pounds.
I dont mind biting the bullet on buying some ankle weights - theyre cheap. Gaiters are another issue however; Im reluctant to plop down $80 just to play with something that may not be any help.
If you do suggest the gaiters route, which ones? Halcyon? Dive-Rite? OMS? (I mention OMS only because theyre really cheap from LP...)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Reef and wreck diving are no problem, I just keep gas from migrating to my legs, and even if it does go there I can always just flip up and get it out of there. In cave diving however this is a BIG problem. Theres usually no choice but to descend head down and feet up. I dont add enough air to be totally comfortable, but only add enough so that Im not terribly uncomfortable and then use my wing for buoyancy. (Can I do valve shut downs like this? No way.) I use XL Dive-Rite fins with springs, which though not quite as hefty as Jetfins, still weigh a bit. (Im not changing fins, so please dont suggest going to Jetfins.) Also, I have my weights mounted as far down on my body as they can go. I dont have problems with runaway ascents BTW, just with positioning.
My cave instructor has very strongly discouraged me from considering ankle weights and doesnt think that gaiters are a good idea since my suit fits well. He basically thinks that I just need to work on my skulling techniques... And though hes never steered me wrong, at this point Im pretty desperate. My skulling just doesnt seem to be working.
Heres how I see my options:
a) Try gaiters and then ankle weights if that doesnt work.
b) Try ankle weights and then gaiters if the weights dont work.
c) Play around with both.
d) Suck it up, work on my skulling, and stop whining.
e) Anything else anyone can think of
I dont know if this matters in the decision any, but I have a very slim build 511, 140 pounds.
I dont mind biting the bullet on buying some ankle weights - theyre cheap. Gaiters are another issue however; Im reluctant to plop down $80 just to play with something that may not be any help.
If you do suggest the gaiters route, which ones? Halcyon? Dive-Rite? OMS? (I mention OMS only because theyre really cheap from LP...)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
