Utter Disaster + Pinnacle D/S Undergarments

[Web Monkey]

This class was also my first dive with my brand new Pinnacle Evo II D/S and the toasty warm Pinnacle Merino wool lined undergarments. (Yes, I know it should not have been my first dive with new equipment and that is part of the problem). Until recently I've been diving with a DUI TLS 350 on rental with the thin DUI thinsulate pajamas plus a dry weave running shirt and a thinsulate running jacket. Diving an AL backplate and twin steel HP 119's my buoyancy and trim were great (except for

The Pinnacle is very warm, but also very buoyant (physics is a harsh mistress .

I wear 14 lbs with a Weezle Compact, 20 pounds with a Bare CT200, but need 30+ pounds with the Pinnacle.

OTOH, it's worth every ounce and I've never been cold or even a little chilly with it.

Terry

 

[dkatchalov]

Flightlead - please post what you did (or didn't do in your classes). I am very interested to hear and I'm sure others will benefit from your experience too. Thanks.

 

[texdiveguy]

OP...for 'most' of us that have completed technical diving programs, 'humble pie' is a standard item on the menu.

 

[Flightlead]

Thanks everyone. I really didn't expect that I would need that much additional weight. I do have a steel backplate and and going to switch to that. I had that and 30lbs of lead with me, but at that point I was so task load and frustrated that I bailed out. I'll try it this weekend hopefully and see.

 

[fppf]

Where are you diving?
I would not break out a marino garment until water temps hit the 40's

 

[Flightlead]

Quarry in Alabama. water in the low 50's.

 

[David P]

C'mon Robert chime in here. RArak and I went diving on new years day. He too has a shiny new Evo DS. He had 20(18?) lbs of lead, and looking at him I thought that was way too much. We agreed we would do a weight check at the end of the dive. So we're about ready to get out, on the surface talking, "lets drop down, and you can start handing me weights" "OK" we/I descend to the bottom, ~8' bellow, he is struggling to get down, I kinda have my way with him, gently pull him own a few feet, spin him around squeeze any extra air out of his wing, make sure theres no air pockets in his DS, and we decide he's actually about 2 lbs light! Mind you, Robert is not a real big guy! So last night he stops by my place and we hop in my pool so he can try his doubles for the first time (46F'n degrees!!!!) In double LP 85 (right?) he is bobbing on the surface and cant descend! I had to give him 10 lbs of lead so he could get his head wet! I'm thinking those Pinnacle drysuits double as life vests with their buoyancy characteristics.

 

[rjack321]

OP...for 'most' of us that have completed technical diving programs, 'humble pie' is a standard item on the menu.

I agree. Other than not taking new gear to a class (if at all possible), don't beat yourself up. The class isn't meant to be a validation of perfection already attained, its to show you the bar and what you need to do to get there. No shame in eating humble pie.

 

[Flightlead]

I agree. Other than not taking new gear to a class (if at all possible), don't beat yourself up. The class isn't meant to be a validation of perfection already attained, its to show you the bar and what you need to do to get there. No shame in eating humble pie.

yeah....and I knew better than to do the class with the new gear. I had actually planned some dives before this with the new gear but life got in the way.
ah well, I'm going to play in the pool tomorrow. lets see, 238 cu ft of air at .5 cu ft/min SAC, planned depth 9' FFW......I have about 6 hours to practice

 

[MBH]

We'll get it worked out. I'll bet on it.