Today I learned....

[northernone]

Catch all thread for the little bits of knowledge we pick up during our daily diving and learning and would like to share. Might not be revolutionary thoughts but I'd love to hear them and see what discussion results.

Mine comes from sitting here looking at a pile dive gear pulling together a body ravaged by a nasty flu. Without our health the nicest gear in the world (which mine isn't) doesn't result in the ability to dive. I'd like decades more diving, I need to develop/maintain a body which will allow for this.

Thoughts on gear, techniques, fun facts, observations, a dive limerick.... Feel free.

Regards,
Cameron

 

[Bubblesong]

You did say “limericks”, wrote this a while ago for a poster you may recognize.

Spoiler: Respecting yer elders

Machodiver is presuming a slight,

posturing for Divebabes on this site

Stop Picking on me

'Cause I'm not 23!

Done me wrong while boasting Do It Right!

 

[wheeledgoat]

Up until my trip to Florida last month, all of my diving the past 2 years had been great lakes, smaller lakes, mines, and quarries. I hadn't really thought about it, but my gear and BCD setup reflects this. My gear suits my regular diving perfectly, and I'm quite happy with it, and it's at least similar to other midwest divers' gear. But it is in stark contrast to the minimalist setup of my warmwater divemaster. He even commented on how over-geared I was for the dive I was about to do, and he was a very seasoned, very diplomatic fellow.

Of course, he was right, and I thanked him for saying so. I should have put some thought into adjusting my gear for the dive I was going to be doing.

But it made me realize that what we take for granted as an absolute truth is, in reality, just a product of our environment and culture. It's such a big world out there.

 

[MargaritaMike]

Thoughts on gear, techniques, fun facts, observations, a dive limerick.... Feel free.

There once was a fellow I knew,
Who loved to dive the deep blue.
Cameron had all the gear
To dive all the year.
Until ravaged by a nasty flu!

Just made this up - obviously!
- M²

 

[stuartv]

My gear suits my regular diving perfectly, and I'm quite happy with it, and it's at least similar to other midwest divers' gear. But it is in stark contrast to the minimalist setup of my warmwater divemaster. He even commented on how over-geared I was for the dive I was about to do

What about your setup was "over" geared? Other than too much exposure protection or too big a wing, I can't think of what I use in quarry diving that would be over the top for a Cozumel dive. Maybe I would only carry 1 light, instead of 2.

 

[wheeledgoat]

What about your setup was "over" geared? Other than too much exposure protection or too big a wing, I can't think of what I use in quarry diving that would be over the top for a Cozumel dive. Maybe I would only carry 1 light, instead of 2.

With the relatively shallow dive we were doing and bright florida sun, apparently NO light is the standard. (My standard setup has one strapped on my right shoulder strap by innertube.) SMB & spool were considered unnecessary too as they give you a flag. The camera wasn't typical equipment for this particular dive since your hands are busy looking for shark teeth and there's not a lot to take pics of anyway (nevermind the awesome fish/crab encounter we witnessed, that I wish I had taken my camera for!). And one knife was OK, but having backup shears is unusual down there.

Additionally, the captain and dm were all like; "wear a 3mil, the jellies are out!" and we were like "HELL no, we're in florida, we wear 7mm all the time, a few stings are WORTH going sans wetsuit!"

Again, I find it interesting to note the differences in culture; cold vs warm water, tech vs rec, seasoned vs vacation, etc...

 

[wildbill9]

Today I learned.....I love it when my dive gear wears out from usage. Just back from Bonaire and it's time to buy new booties, that shore can be brutal but at least they didn't dry rot.

 

[Bob DBF]

Additionally, the captain and dm were all like; "wear a 3mil, the jellies are out!" and we were like "HELL no, we're in florida, we wear 7mm all the time, a few stings are WORTH going sans wetsuit!"

Although I'm a Cal North Coast diver, in those conditions, I would opt for the 3mm codpiece.


Bob

 

[MargaritaMike]

Although I'm a Cal North Coast diver, in those conditions, I would opt for the 3mm codpiece.
Bob

Good point.
Hey, Bob. I'm curious. Are you an old Navy guy: Diesel Boats Forever?

- M²

 

[Bob DBF]

Yeah, I served on Nukes, but rode on a number of diesel boats and loved them. They smell like history.


Bob