What computers are you using for tech dives?

[EFX]

This sport gets expensive quick, and sadly there's a bunch of misinformation on gear from people that don't really have a lot of technical diving experience. Example, the entire sidemount craze -- I'm a firm believer in starting with a basic backmounted twin cylinder configuration as the basis for technical diving and then moving to sidemount or CCR if you find you are doing dives that need those tools.

A few of years ago I decided if I continue to expand my diving horizons it would be through technical rather than professional diving. I bought some used equipment and configured a set of single 80's into a set of doubles. I bought a BP and a wing and proceeded to dive with a buddy proficient in back mounted doubles. I quickly found out how difficult it was reaching the valves to do even the simplest of drills. I'm in my 60's and no matter how much stretching I did could not get limber enough to reach the valves without contortions. Compounding this limitation I have a gimpy hand. After trying I no longer feel confident to dive back doubles and if I ever get into technical diving I would start with sidemount doubles.

Well, if you do the class in sidemount, this is no longer much of an obstacle. You still have to do the valve shutdown drill--many times with some agencies--but the skill is much easier when the valves are by your armpits rather than behind your neck. You also do not have a manifold to deal with. I have never had a sidemount student have a problem with this drill.

 

[PfcAJ]

Imo a lot of problem with reaching valves is because of improperly adjusted equipment or poorly fitting exposure suits.

If you've got a shoulder injury ok fine, might have some trouble. Otherwise I'd really examine other possibilities. Most people can touch their shoulders and the back of their neck, and the valves are right next to those points.

 

[EFX]

Imo a lot of problem with reaching valves is because of improperly adjusted equipment or poorly fitting exposure suits.

If you've got a shoulder injury ok fine, might have some trouble. Otherwise I'd really examine other possibilities. Most people can touch their shoulders and the back of their neck, and the valves are right next to those points.

I was able to reach the isolation valve but had the most trouble reaching the regulator valve with the same side hand. This makes sense since I can't touch my shoulder with the same side hand. Oh well. However, I can touch my nose with one finger while standing on one foot with my eyes closed.

 

[PfcAJ]

I was able to reach the isolation valve but had the most trouble reaching the regulator valve with the same side hand. This makes sense since I can't touch my shoulder with the same side hand. Oh well. However, I can touch my nose with one finger while standing on one foot with my eyes closed.

There's some technique to it.

Keep the elbow close to your head, look up/forward, be flat or a touch head down so there is no gas at the top of the wing.

And really it might take some time stretching. Hard work pays off.

 

[KevinNM]

I have a screwed up shoulder left shoulder from a ski wreck 15+ years ago, where I put the end of humerus through the scapula.

I'm thinking about having a seamstress open the left armpit on my midlayer (4th element arctic) and put elastic there, as I'm thinking that is why I can do a valve drill in the DS with just the base layer and pretty much not with the arctic on. I can barely reach the valve after walking my fingers to it but I'm having to lever the bottom of the tanks off my back (I'm pulling towards me on the valve with two fingers - which makes the bottom rise away from me) which both requires a loose waist belt and ridiculous finger strength.

 

[211ratsbud]

I poor fitting harness is in there with equipment. You don't need to be NASA launch tight. Big difference for me was leaving a couple inches of waist strap slack and letting the wing find home. I could reach everything then! And it was just more comfortable

Imo a lot of problem with reaching valves is because of improperly adjusted equipment or poorly fitting exposure suits.

If you've got a shoulder injury ok fine, might have some trouble. Otherwise I'd really examine other possibilities. Most people can touch their shoulders and the back of their neck, and the valves are right next to those points.

 

[AJ]

Imo a lot of problem with reaching valves is because of improperly adjusted equipment or poorly fitting exposure suits.

The most important thing my GUE Fundamentals teacher tought me was to 'set my suit' (don't know the right English term). By setting my drysuit I mean closing the deflator and pump some air in. Next go head down under water, legs above water and start streching and wiggling. This way your suit will give more room while doing a valve drill. Even with thick undersuits this trick works.

Before I believed I would never be able to do a valve drill because of limitations in my shoulders and neck, now find it as easy as can be. Even during the dive I routinely check my valves before checking my gauge. Also (back) kicking bcame more easy.

 

[PfcAJ]

The most important thing my GUE Fundamentals teacher tought me was to 'set my suit' (don't know the right English term). By setting my drysuit I mean closing the deflator and pump some air in. Next go head down under water, legs above water and start streching and wiggling. This way your suit will give more room while doing a valve drill. Even with thick undersuits this trick works.

Before I believed I would never be able to do a valve drill because of limitations in my shoulders and neck, now find it as easy as can be. Even during the dive I routinely check my valves before checking my gauge. Also (back) kicking bcame more easy.

That's a real thing, 100% agree.

 

[divad]

The most important thing my GUE Fundamentals teacher tought me was to 'set my suit' (don't know the right English term). By setting my drysuit I mean closing the deflator and pump some air in. Next go head down under water, legs above water and start streching and wiggling. This way your suit will give more room while doing a valve drill. Even with thick undersuits this trick works.

Before I believed I would never be able to do a valve drill because of limitations in my shoulders and neck, now find it as easy as can be. Even during the dive I routinely check my valves before checking my gauge. Also (back) kicking bcame more easy.

Agree 110%. I don't care if people think I am drowning, the results are dramatic.

 

[211ratsbud]

Been. Getting funny looks for a year now doing that lol