Using pools to try out equipment

[Tha Bizness]

I was wondering - when trying new equipment in a pool do you guys just go to your local YMCA/local public pool or do you have pools in your back yard?

Has anyone had problems with pool operators not wanting scuba gear in the pool?

 

[dutch-scuba-kid]

Our dive club rents the pool for 2 hours a week in one of the public pools in our city.
The know we are a diving club, so they have no problem with the equipment.
1 hour a week is training + underwaterhockey.
The other hour is entirely up to you how you want to spend it. But I don't know how that works with divers who aren't a member of any club.

 

[diver_paula]

I've run into two problems with public pools.

a) One didn't want tanks that didn't have a plastic or rubber boot on them. Supposedly without one the tanks would scratch or mar the pool.

b) The other issue I ran across was when trying to swim laps at a local pool. I couldn't find my swim goggles so I decided to bring my mask and snorkel. Better than nothing as I wear contacts. The lifeguards wouldn't let me use it as my nose was covered up! Oh well.

I typically use a local lake or quarry to test my gear. Some of the local dive stores have their own pools. & some dive shops will let you come to the pool they've rented when teaching their classes as long as you don't get in the way.

Paula

 

[scubafool]

Well, it's kinda in my backyard (only 20 minutes away), and it's kinda a pool. depts from 6" to 27'. Conditions from no current to current that will push the purge on your regulator.

Ok, ok, so it's a spring, not a pool. But it is a great place to test gear, practice skills, or just do a lazy dive.

 

[Firediver]

The problem the public pools have around here are the full masks breaking. They have had kids throwing the masks on to the side of the pool and the glass shattering in and around the pool. Also they have a problem with tanks damaging the tile. Also the pool here charged $65.00/h to rent.. but the deepend is 15' deep

 

[cortez]

The shop that I work at allows customers to come to the pool whenever we have classes going on. Kind of a win-win. We have to pay for the pool anyways, better to make full use of it. The only time we may not allow it is if we have a number of classes going and the pool is relatively full.

 

[Paco]

Guess I'm lucky. I teach at a school with a pool and have a key to it.

 

[diverbob]

I tried using a pool to get my weight adjusted right, but since the deep end was only 12 foot (I think), it was hard to get a good feel for it. Also, if I started to float up, I was at the surface before I had a chance to get it back under control.

 

[Prepare]

i just use my pool at home, better then nothing

 

[DA Aquamaster]

i just use my pool at home, better then nothing

My heart really bleeds for you having to suffer and use your very own pool.

For the rest of the world there are still other options.

Our dive club will rent the pool at the YMCA for occassional equipment and skills sessions and this follows the same process used to rent the pool for scuba istruction.

For individuals the availability during open swim sessions depends on the pool management. I have seldom had a problem using scuba equipment in a public pool as long as I clear it in advance with the management and follow any guidelines they may have (no hard weights, certain times of day, etc) and use courtesy and common sense.

We have also on occassion rented a room for a pool party at the local Holiday Inn and used their pool. Again courtesy and common sense go a long way toward overcoming any concerns.