Darcimus
Contributor
Hey guys. Several parts to this question, so I might as well begin with the background: Flatlander (Saskatchewan) looking to do some wreck diving in BC. HMCS Saskatchewan is kind of a bucket list item for me, just because. Not interested in stopping there, though.....
Newer diver, just got OW in January of 2017. Working through PADI Advanced right now, just need check out dives this year. Going to Mexico in December and I'll probably be on the coast again in February/March 2019.
Been watching some videos of wreck dives. Seems like a lot of people dive doubles, which is probably a good idea seeing as most of the wrecks seem to be about 100 feet deep. Could I dive with a bigger steel single? I'm sort of a big breather. An AL80 will last me about an hour in a 13 foot deep pool doing work on skills (deploying a DSMB or mask clearing, fartin' around, etc.) so I'm wondering if tech (doubles) training is the way to go or if I should just go nitrox on a big single. Any advice? The big single (especially SS) would come in handy around here....just sayin....but so would doubles (a lot of guys do Diefenbaker in doubles).
Also been thinking about a BP/W rig, not because it's what the cool kids get, but because it's modular. I do some tropical diving, and I'm planning on doing more, so a SS backplate and 18# wing seems to be what I'll be going for. For wreck diving in BC, what'd the best option? AL/SS? How big of a wing should I be looking at if i'm about 240#? I'd like to get rid of this jacket-style BC (AquaLung Axiom i3) for a few reasons: (1) it makes it hard to breathe when I'm on the surface, and (2) I've knocked the LP hose off inadvertently without knowing, which made one lake dive very interesting when I got a cramp towards the end of the dive).
Been to the local dive site and it's pretty silty so visibility sucks a fat one, but my weighting in a 7/8 Pinnacle suit is 30 lbs. Unless my computer is drunk, I've been in 32 degree water with that suit, and (1) I never felt a temperature change when I passed through the thermocline, and (b) I dove for about 38 minutes below the line and didn't feel anything. I'm a bit of a furnace, yeah. It's been mentioned that I may need a dry suit for BC diving, but I'm not sure about that. My current heavy suit seems to be doing the trick.
I know I'm new, but please no rude comments. I'm tryign to learn and everywhere I turn there's tons of information and no real consensus. Hoping the BC divers can help.
Newer diver, just got OW in January of 2017. Working through PADI Advanced right now, just need check out dives this year. Going to Mexico in December and I'll probably be on the coast again in February/March 2019.
Been watching some videos of wreck dives. Seems like a lot of people dive doubles, which is probably a good idea seeing as most of the wrecks seem to be about 100 feet deep. Could I dive with a bigger steel single? I'm sort of a big breather. An AL80 will last me about an hour in a 13 foot deep pool doing work on skills (deploying a DSMB or mask clearing, fartin' around, etc.) so I'm wondering if tech (doubles) training is the way to go or if I should just go nitrox on a big single. Any advice? The big single (especially SS) would come in handy around here....just sayin....but so would doubles (a lot of guys do Diefenbaker in doubles).
Also been thinking about a BP/W rig, not because it's what the cool kids get, but because it's modular. I do some tropical diving, and I'm planning on doing more, so a SS backplate and 18# wing seems to be what I'll be going for. For wreck diving in BC, what'd the best option? AL/SS? How big of a wing should I be looking at if i'm about 240#? I'd like to get rid of this jacket-style BC (AquaLung Axiom i3) for a few reasons: (1) it makes it hard to breathe when I'm on the surface, and (2) I've knocked the LP hose off inadvertently without knowing, which made one lake dive very interesting when I got a cramp towards the end of the dive).
Been to the local dive site and it's pretty silty so visibility sucks a fat one, but my weighting in a 7/8 Pinnacle suit is 30 lbs. Unless my computer is drunk, I've been in 32 degree water with that suit, and (1) I never felt a temperature change when I passed through the thermocline, and (b) I dove for about 38 minutes below the line and didn't feel anything. I'm a bit of a furnace, yeah. It's been mentioned that I may need a dry suit for BC diving, but I'm not sure about that. My current heavy suit seems to be doing the trick.
I know I'm new, but please no rude comments. I'm tryign to learn and everywhere I turn there's tons of information and no real consensus. Hoping the BC divers can help.