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Posted: 5/18/2017 3:45:38 PM EDT
[#1]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dan_Gray:
IDC cures it, but you get Ebola there. 
My biggest regret in diving is becoming a DM. I didn't (and don't) have IDC plans. I did it for the wrong reasons and it almost ruined diving for me. In the end, it benefited me, and made me a better diver, but I won't do the work. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dan_Gray:
Originally Posted By Birddog1911:
I hope there's a cure!
If plans hold, I'll be starting IDC at the end of August.
My biggest regret in diving is becoming a DM. I didn't (and don't) have IDC plans. I did it for the wrong reasons and it almost ruined diving for me. In the end, it benefited me, and made me a better diver, but I won't do the work. |
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Posted: 5/18/2017 4:10:13 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Birddog1911:
You mind if I ask specifically what it was about becoming a DM did that for you? |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/18/2017 4:23:42 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dan_Gray:
IDC cures it, but you get Ebola there.
My biggest regret in diving is becoming a DM. I didn't (and don't) have IDC plans. I did it for the wrong reasons and it almost ruined diving for me. In the end, it benefited me, and made me a better diver, but I won't do the work. |
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Posted: 5/18/2017 4:38:44 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jerrwhy01:
Almost everyone I have known who became a DM or instructor ended regretting it. A lot of those individuals were very passionate divers and quite a few ended up hanging up their fins over it. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/18/2017 8:12:13 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dan_Gray:
I was closer than I'll admit to myself. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dan_Gray:
Originally Posted By jerrwhy01:
Almost everyone I have known who became a DM or instructor ended regretting it. A lot of those individuals were very passionate divers and quite a few ended up hanging up their fins over it. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/19/2017 5:07:00 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By devildog12210:
I have no interest in chasing down the DM and Instructor training. You guys are far from the first that I have heard that from. I am enjoying diving way too much to try and do anything other than what I am doing now, which is just enjoying the dive for myself. |
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Posted: 5/19/2017 5:36:00 PM EDT
[#7]
I can't really imagine why someone would want to do it. I'll just use my instructors as an example. They're a couple (guy/gal), early 50s, who each have been diving for over 20 years. They have very good professional jobs that are high stress and lots of hours. They both tell me it's actually relaxing to teach. I just can't get my mind around that. It's not like being a firearms instructor. You're teaching people in a sport that can very easily go south. You're responsible, in a life and death manner, for these people's lives. And it's relaxing? God love 'em, I could never do it. I'm not a patient person and I'd be apt to want to drown the stupid people.
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Posted: 5/19/2017 10:43:10 PM EDT
[#8]
Wreck class is scheduled for late August on Lake Michigan.
 3 dives - 3rd is limited penetration.
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Posted: 5/19/2017 11:09:11 PM EDT
[#9]
Anyone care to share tips on packing my gear for boat diving? I'll be diving off the Sun Dog, one of DRIS' boats, 36', 6 pack. Deep class is next month.
Link I have one of the big gear duffles (not mesh) that can hold my fins, BP/W, hood, drysuit gloves/boots, hood, mask, and drysuit undies. Reg bag does in an outside pocket (although I'll have to check to see if smaller reg bag will also hold pony reg). I have a small duffle for save-a-dive kit, logbook, and a bunch of smaller items. Drysuit is in a separate (non-waterproof) bag. I'll have 2 AL80s and a 30 cft pony. I'll have to fit my snacks in small duffle. Boat provides water and fruit. I'll also have 24 lbs of weights I need to figure out some way to carry. When the big duffle is fully packed, I can barely lift it. I heft it into my collapsible cart in my living room and then lug it into the backseat of my car. My weights live in my trunk. I'm used to making multiple trips to/from the car at the quarry to the picnic table where we set up with my cart. I feel like I've got a ton of crap, but part of that is probably just because I dive dry. I don't think the Lake will be warm enough even at the end of August (wreck class) for me to wear my new 3mm. |
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Posted: 5/19/2017 11:51:04 PM EDT
[#10]
Got 5 dives today. My 2 buddies, who are trying to bump their number, managed 10. Bourbon was more important to me tonight.
Appreciate the info on DM/OWSI. I will keep it in mind. If I don't enjoy teaching, I'll stick to diving for fun. |
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Posted: 5/20/2017 12:26:50 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Birddog1911:
Got 5 dives today. My 2 buddies, who are trying to bump their number, managed 10. Bourbon was more important to me tonight. Appreciate the info on DM/OWSI. I will keep it in mind. If I don't enjoy teaching, I'll stick to diving for fun. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/20/2017 6:08:01 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Marie:
I feel like I've got a ton of crap, but part of that is probably just because I dive dry. I don't think the Lake will be warm enough even at the end of August (wreck class) for me to wear my new 3mm. |
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Posted: 5/20/2017 7:50:34 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Marie:
Holy crap, 5 dives in one day? I'd be flat on my back after that! |
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Posted: 5/20/2017 7:53:22 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jerrwhy01:
It will never be warm enough so you might as well forget even thinking about wearing it until you hit a warm water destination.
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Posted: 5/20/2017 8:19:33 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jerrwhy01:
It will never be warm enough so you might as well forget even thinking about wearing it until you hit a warm water destination. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jerrwhy01:
Originally Posted By Marie:
I feel like I've got a ton of crap, but part of that is probably just because I dive dry. I don't think the Lake will be warm enough even at the end of August (wreck class) for me to wear my new 3mm. |
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Posted: 5/20/2017 9:09:06 PM EDT
[#16]
Buddy and I worked out diving schedule - we're diving every week for the next month. That includes both Sat & Sun of Memorial Day weekend.
I'm going to have 40 dives pretty quickly (at 27 now). |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/20/2017 9:23:42 PM EDT
[#17]
I'm jealous. My Key Largo trip was blown out this weekend. We are going to try and hit it again weekend after next.
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Posted: 5/20/2017 9:46:03 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Marie]
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By devildog12210:
I'm jealous. My Key Largo trip was blown out this weekend. We are going to try and hit it again weekend after next. First boat dives are Father's Day on the big Lake. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/21/2017 6:59:18 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By devildog12210:
I'm jealous. My Key Largo trip was blown out this weekend. We are going to try and hit it again weekend after next. 
Not Me. |
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Posted: 5/21/2017 7:25:29 PM EDT
[#20]
I survived nav. Holy fuck, that was tough.
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Posted: 5/21/2017 9:31:14 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Birddog1911:
I hope there's a cure!
If plans hold, I'll be starting IDC at the end of August. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Birddog1911:
Originally Posted By Dan_Gray:
You get aids when you become a DM
If plans hold, I'll be starting IDC at the end of August.
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Posted: 5/21/2017 9:49:25 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By devildog12210:
I have no interest in chasing down the DM and Instructor training. You guys are far from the first that I have heard that from. I am enjoying diving way too much to try and do anything other than what I am doing now, which is just enjoying the dive for myself. |
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Posted: 5/21/2017 9:52:06 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TailHunter]
[#23]
Double tap
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Posted: 5/21/2017 10:01:58 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Marie:
Anyone care to share tips on packing my gear for boat diving? I'll be diving off the Sun Dog, one of DRIS' boats, 36', 6 pack. Deep class is next month. . I have a backpack style gear bag. I pack wetsuit in first because it's the last thing I set up/ put on. Next is regs in a coil. Mask in the coil. Bc on top. Fins are against the back of the gear bag. Weight pouches are in a separate weight bag with extra weights. Spare gear/tool kit is in a second backpack. |
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Posted: 5/21/2017 10:15:17 PM EDT
[#25]
Nav class details:
First dive was surface: 100'ft out back out for kick cycle average. Triangle with 100 ft sides and square with 50'ft sides. Then repeat all at depth. This was one hell of a workout! Second dive was hitting 8 directional points in an octagon course at the quarry, with 50 to 100 ft waypoints. |
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Posted: 5/21/2017 10:46:16 PM EDT
[Last Edit: SleeperShooter]
[#26]
Nice!! People don't realize how important Nav is when diving. I hit my 50th dive and got my Master Diver Cert in April, and getting my Dive Control Specialist Cert this month. I've been doing a few dives a week since then and completed 6 more today. Now I'm up to 81 now and am still having fun. Gotta love EAN 40!!!
Working in the store, doing repairs, and soon to be teaching will be fun.
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Posted: 5/21/2017 10:53:23 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By SleeperShooter:
Nice!! People don't realize how important Nav is when diving. I hit my 50th dive and got my Master Diver Cert in April, and getting my Dive Control Specialist Cert this month. I've been doing a few dives a week since then and completed 6 more today. Now I'm up to 81 now and am still having fun. Gotta love EAN 40!!! Working in the store, doing repairs, and soon to be teaching will be fun. 
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Posted: 5/21/2017 10:53:24 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Marie]
[#28]
I'm going to have around 40 dives by the end of June. Will have at least 50 by the end of July, including my 3 day Lake Huron trip.
Part of today we had no vis. I was focusing on compass and just kept plugging along. Back in October, I would have said fuck that and headed for the surface.
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Posted: 5/26/2017 3:38:18 PM EDT
[#29]
Who is diving this weekend? I'm at both of our local quarries Saturday and Sunday.
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Posted: 5/27/2017 7:10:53 PM EDT
[#30]
Had two good dives at Haigh today. Second dive we went out to the Flamingo (33' cabin cruiser) and then to the fire truck. Got as deep as I've been yet - 50'. That's as deep as you can get at Haigh without going into "deep hole." Gorgeous day.
First pic is on the fire truck, second is at the Flamingo. 
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Posted: 5/29/2017 9:20:54 AM EDT
[#31]
Went diving at the quarry on the IL/WI border yesterday. Took this picture as an OW class went by as buddy and I took a break on a platform. Buddy actually thought I was going to get kicked as I was closer to them, but didn't.
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Posted: 6/1/2017 9:42:57 PM EDT
[#32]
Question for you guys:
I've started diving with my pony (AL30) in preparation for my Lake Huron trip and my deep class. I sling it on my left side. I clip my back tank SPG to my left chest D ring because I can't see it on my hip. I like it right in my face. But with the pony clipped to the same D ring, I have a hard time finding my SPG when I need to check it. The only option I can think of is to add another D ring a little bit higher on my left shoulder strap. Any other ideas? Another pony issue: first dive with it on Saturday I felt very heavy and lopsided. Second dive with it on Sunday, I felt a bit better, but still very heavy. It's a Catalina, if that makes any difference. Friend who dives a pony of the same size (and is sort of a long-distance mentor) said she felt the same thing when she started diving with hers. She simply rolled a bit to the right side and that solved the lopsided issue. I think I need to take some weight off. I'm going to take 2 lbs off and see what happens. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 6/2/2017 6:58:38 AM EDT
[Last Edit: jerrwhy01]
[#33]
You have a right side to clip things on...just sayin is all.
As far as being lopsidedly: You can distribute your weight so that the side opposite your pony bottle is 1-2 pounds heavier. This will present a problem if you ever pass off your pony bottle. Or you can sling it across your body with the neck clip attached to right/left D-ring and the bottom clip attached to the opposite side waist D-ring. Option 3: You can do nothing for the next 25-50 dives. After that point you'll be so sick of the thing that you'll just end up leaving it in your car and the problem will resolve itself. |
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Posted: 6/2/2017 7:37:45 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Marie]
[#34]
I tried putting it horizontal across my body in the pool once. Ugh. Don't like it. I dislike having stuff across the front of my body. My instructor does hers that way (with a 19cft), but it just wasn't comfortable for me. It was comfortable in the pool and I had no problem with the positioning. Guess I just need to take weight off, period, which I need to do anyway.
I'm not planning on passing it off. It's for either me or my buddy, which means it stays on my body. |
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Posted: 6/2/2017 8:57:44 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Marie:
I tried putting it horizontal across my body in the pool once. Ugh. Don't like it. I dislike having stuff across the front of my body. My instructor does hers that way (with a 19cft), but it just wasn't comfortable for me. It was comfortable in the pool and I had no problem with the positioning. Guess I just need to take weight off, period, which I need to do anyway. I'm not planning on passing it off. It's for either me or my buddy, which means it stays on my body. Whenever I have a buddy and they need air, they get my primary second stage and I use the octo; the pony is for me if I have a total reg failure. |
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Posted: 6/4/2017 6:47:40 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Marie]
[#36]
I was able to take 4 total lbs off today. I'm now familiar enough with diving the pony that it gave me no issues. Don't really feel lopsided anymore. Even did a giant stride with it, and everything was fine.
I'm ordered a 5mm wetsuit. I'm very curious to see if I have an easier time diving wet than dry. It was 91 here today and I worked up quite the sweat just getting into my drysuit (with thin fleece undies over UnderArmor leggings and a wicking t-shirt) and walking to the water. Water was 46 degrees at 49 ft, which felt good. I must have had part of my undies sleeve caught under right wrist seal on both dives, as I got water inside. Right arm and right sock were soaked. |
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Posted: 6/5/2017 1:10:35 PM EDT
[#37]
I really need help on weight distribution to get my trim dialed in. Instructors are out of town.
The last few weeks I've really been in the "seahorse" position, head up. Not sure why. Has nothing to do with the pony as it happens on dives without pony. I've had recent times of decent trim so I know what it feel like. My weight is distributed as this: 10 lbs in waist pockets (5 lbs. x 2) and 6 lbs in upper cam band pockets (3 lbs x 2). The 4 lbs I took off yesterday were in lower cam band pockets (I had that in lower cam band pockets because I was overloading waist pockets with 2 lbs more each than they were made to carry and getting them inserted was very difficult). So that 20 lbs is on top of steel BP and weighted STA (11 lbs). I know some BP/W allow you to move the wing up or down. My Halcyon rig doesn't have that option. Also, I cannot change cam band position on STA. Cam bands are in top and bottom slots due to weighted insert. A friend who does SM suggested I take 2 lbs from each waist pocket and put them on the very top of my plate to get my head down. He said this is used often by people who SM, normally they zip tie hard weights to their plate. I only have soft weights, but I should be able to use the weight pockets from lower cam band for this, at his suggestion, for experimentation purposes. I'm open to any other suggestions. My dry suit is a bit big at the shoulders/upper chest (USIA seems to make them this way ) and instructors have theorized this might be creating a bit of an air pocket affecting my buoyancy, but I do my damndest to get all the air out, burping my suit 3-4 times, and crouching down/pressing arms against chest to get all the air out. I'm very frustrated and pissed at the same time. Thanks for you help. I'm out at the quarry next weekend. |
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AZ, USA
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Posted: 6/5/2017 1:40:23 PM EDT
[Last Edit: JohnnyC]
[#38]
Burping your suit to get the air out prior to drop isn't going to do anything for you once you're at depth adding gas back into it to maintain suit loft.
And really, in a drysuit, you shouldn't have any trouble getting horizontal. Pitch forward a bit and redistribute the air so that there's more around your legs. Keep in mind that you have to properly position your body for this to work. If you get sloppy and don't hold proper positioning, regardless if your orientation in the water, your legs will drop, air will migrate back into the torso, and you'll be right back to seahorse diving. What sort of fins are you using? Are they negative, neutral, positive? |
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Posted: 6/5/2017 1:45:50 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Marie]
[#39]
Fins are Atomic split fins. No idea on the neutral, positive, neutral.
I keep very little air in my suit, usually just a puff or two to offset squeeze. I have neoprene socks on my suit. I use Chuck Taylors for rock boots with bungee cord laces. There is so air getting into my feet. Just checked online: the Atomic splits weigh 3 lbs for the pair. They MIGHT be positively buoyant from the quick search I did online. I'm diving the splits due to my knees, which feel so much better. Somewhere else suggested they are barely negative with the spring straps, which I have. So I'm really not sure. ETA: maybe I do just need to really pitch forward and see what happens. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 6/5/2017 2:59:50 PM EDT
[#40]
Take a look at your body position. It's free and it won't cost you anything. You want to stick your arms out straight, arch your back, and keep your thighs in line with your body. You can nitpick the images above but the divers in all of them have their arms out in front of them, their backs are at least straight, and their thighs are in-line with their body. They are pretty horizontal. |
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Posted: 6/6/2017 12:03:41 AM EDT
[#41]
Thanks, Jerry!
I put my fins in a full bathtub. They are slightly negative. |
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Posted: 6/6/2017 7:01:43 PM EDT
[#42]
My 5mm should be here Friday. May be diving both days this weekend so I'll get to really give it a workout.
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Posted: 6/8/2017 6:46:36 PM EDT
[Last Edit: floridahunter07]
[#43]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Marie:
The respiratory therapist in charge of the chamber did a very good 45 minute lecture beforehand. He has been at the hospital for about 30 years and has been doing these presentations and chamber dives since 1994, when they began at the request of the local Chicago dive community. He said more than 1000 divers have been through the chamber. They only see 2-3 cases of DCS a year. He talked about DCS, AGE, etc., from a medical perspective, which was an interesting difference from the way it was taught in OW classes. However, one of my instructors is a nurse, so she had inserted some of the medical perspective in my OW course. I wanted to tell her that if she ever did that experiment again, I just found my alternative to LASIK.
Also, old pics because I have no new ones!! 
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Posted: 6/10/2017 6:46:37 AM EDT
[#44]
First wet dives today!
Picked up my 5mm last night. Fits well. Has long ankle zippers that make getting into it much easier. Wet suit, fins, mask, boots, gloves, bathing suit went into a mesh duffle which then fit into my big gear duffle with BP/W and regs. Everything fits in that duffle except the small duffle with save a dive kit. Much smaller packing than diving dry! I'm going to test the 5mm on the 50' deep side that was 46 degrees last week to see how it does. I wanted to get the Fourth Element semi dry 5mm gloves but it was such a struggle to get them on, they're so close fitting. I didn't finish getting even one glove on. I've got carpal tunnel and it was actually hurting my hands while struggling to get them on. I ended up going with the Waterproof brand gloves that are more bulky but have a nice zip on the back of the hand. So much easier to get them on. Air temp is supposed to be around 90 today and even hotter tomorrow. I'm starting off with 21 lbs- 10 lbs of lead on top of BP/STA, and adjust from there. Will seem strange with less weight. |
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Posted: 6/10/2017 2:52:41 PM EDT
[#45]
Squirt some hair conditioner inside of your gloves.
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Posted: 6/10/2017 6:11:11 PM EDT
[#46]
You're nuts if you're thinking of trying a 5mm wetsuit in 46 degree water... but more power to you if you're kept warm.
I'm normally lightly chilled after two or three hours in spring water (68-72) in my 5/4 Everflex, and I'm generally warm when others aren't. If it's a semi-dry, it may not be TOO bad - mine is basically a semi-dry because I'm a little large for it and it's rubberized around the neck, wrist, and ankle seals. I wasn't expecting that the first time I peed in it... there was zero water INSIDE the suit when I did it. Was pretty gross. lol
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Posted: 6/10/2017 6:48:52 PM EDT
[#47]
I was just fine in my 5mm at 47 degrees at 50 ft. I'm wearing it on the lake next Sunday. I even had thin gloves on and I was fine!
Diving wet was an odd, but very freeing experience. I got ready much quicker. Less crap to haul around. It was easier getting my fins on. The 6 lbs less weight made all the difference when I got out of the water. Buoyancy was better and by arching my back/putting hands out in front of me made trim better. I even did the buoyancy course at the quarry (big shapes made out of PVC pipe and suspended from the buttom) twice, and did much better. |
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Posted: 6/10/2017 9:23:51 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By HeavyMetal:
Squirt some hair conditioner inside of your gloves. |
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Posted: 6/11/2017 7:31:15 PM EDT
[#49]
Viz was very crappy on at the quarry today, both on the shallow and deep sides. It was maybe 5ft. That's me in the pic, not that you can tell! The only thing you can really see are my hoses and my computer on my right wrist!
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Posted: 6/11/2017 8:21:20 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Marie:
I used well-diluted baby shampoo to lube me up to get into my wetsuit, so I'll just use the same if necessary to get into my gloves. |
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