Solo, Wet, and Cold

**Dsix36** · 25th May 2008, 13:24

I sent my drysuit in to have the boots replaced and was not planning to dive this weekend. Well, as fate would have it Tienuts called and invited me to dive the Ancient Mariner, we have been using these shallow dives to practice skills in preparation for our cave class. I completely forgot about not having my drysuit and said "OK".

Yesterday morning as I was loading up I got the "I am sick" phone call. I still went through with the dive though. I went solo and just practiced drills and ran line. I wear my BO reg around my neck and do not totally remove it for tank removal and replacement. I just throw my tank out in front of me and "bounce " it with the reg hose. A little note to others, when f**king around with BO tank swapping - keep them away from your head. I had my tank swing up and crack me in the forehead. I saw the proverbial stars and thought "how stupid of a way to drown is this?" Needless to say, I have a bump on my head and feel pretty dumb.

On a positive note. I found that my trim and bouyancy control in a wetsuit is fantastic - I shocked the hell out of myself. I can only hope to have this kind of control in a drysuit.

I was freezing my ass off the whole time. The temp was 76-78F and yes, I am a wimp when it comes to the cold. I need my drysuit back!

I was cold and decided not to do a second dive. The others were doing a drift dive over a reef. I decided to use it for practice anyway. I jumped in, sank to 45' and shot a bag for ascent. I ascended and dryed off and changed clothes. Of course this was approved by the captain and DM prior to jumping in.

jkaterenchuk · 25th May 2008, 14:28

As was posted in a video recently on another thread......Don harden the f#@$ up.

On a serious note. Before taking your Cave class you will want to make a decision.....drysuit or wet. This will be important because the better your bouyancy control the better the class will go. All the in cave skills will be easier and you will be better able to concentrate on completing those skills correctly rather than also worrying about your bouyancy.

If you do decide to go with the wetsuit you will need something that will keep you warmer as the cave temps are lower. I do not have my log here with me but 69-71 F rings a bell.

Last week I was wearing a Full 7/5mm with hood. That was comfortable for 60 min plus dives. Given its freshwater, carrying a 80 cu ft BO no extra weight was needed.

John

**Dsix36** · 25th May 2008, 14:58

Quote: (Originally Posted by jkaterenchuk)

As was posted in a video recently on another thread......Don harden the f#@$ up.

On a serious note. Before taking your Cave class you will want to make a decision.....drysuit or wet. This will be important because the better your bouyancy control the better the class will go. All the in cave skills will be easier and you will be better able to concentrate on completing those skills correctly rather than also worrying about your bouyancy.

If you do decide to go with the wetsuit you will need something that will keep you warmer as the cave temps are lower. I do not have my log here with me but 69-71 F rings a bell.

Last week I was wearing a Full 7/5mm with hood. That was comfortable for 60 min plus dives. Given its freshwater, carrying a 80 cu ft BO no extra weight was needed.

John

I would love to do the class wet, but I have yet to hardern the f**k up, so it will be done dry.

I just gotta dive more

Numpty diver · 25th May 2008, 15:20

Where will you do your cave course ..which instructor ?
Dean

jiseson · 25th May 2008, 15:34

76 and u were cold-u need to put some meat on your skinny body!

**Dsix36** · 25th May 2008, 15:34

Quote: (Originally Posted by Numpty diver)

Where will you do your cave course ..which instructor ?
Dean

North Florida with Jill Heinerth

25th May 2008, 13:24	#1 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 1,054	Solo, Wet, and Cold I sent my drysuit in to have the boots replaced and was not planning to dive this weekend. Well, as fate would have it Tienuts called and invited me to dive the Ancient Mariner, we have been using these shallow dives to practice skills in preparation for our cave class. I completely forgot about not having my drysuit and said "OK". Yesterday morning as I was loading up I got the "I am sick" phone call. I still went through with the dive though. I went solo and just practiced drills and ran line. I wear my BO reg around my neck and do not totally remove it for tank removal and replacement. I just throw my tank out in front of me and "bounce " it with the reg hose. A little note to others, when f*king around with BO tank swapping - keep them away from your head. I had my tank swing up and crack me in the forehead. I saw the proverbial stars and thought "how stupid of a way to drown is this?" Needless to say, I have a bump on my head and feel pretty dumb. On a positive note. I found that my trim and bouyancy control in a wetsuit is fantastic - I shocked the hell out of myself. I can only hope to have this kind of control in a drysuit. I was freezing my ass off the whole time. The temp was 76-78F and yes, I am a wimp when it comes to the cold. I need my drysuit back! I was cold and decided not to do a second dive. The others were doing a drift dive over a reef. I decided to use it for practice anyway. I jumped in, sank to 45' and shot a bag for ascent. I ascended and dryed off and changed clothes. Of course this was approved by the captain and DM prior to jumping in. __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!*
(Offline)

25th May 2008, 14:28	#2 (permalink)
jkaterenchuk . Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 824	Re: Solo, Wet, and Cold As was posted in a video recently on another thread......Don harden the f#@$ up. On a serious note. Before taking your Cave class you will want to make a decision.....drysuit or wet. This will be important because the better your bouyancy control the better the class will go. All the in cave skills will be easier and you will be better able to concentrate on completing those skills correctly rather than also worrying about your bouyancy. If you do decide to go with the wetsuit you will need something that will keep you warmer as the cave temps are lower. I do not have my log here with me but 69-71 F rings a bell. Last week I was wearing a Full 7/5mm with hood. That was comfortable for 60 min plus dives. Given its freshwater, carrying a 80 cu ft BO no extra weight was needed. John
(Online)

25th May 2008, 14:58	#3 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 1,054	Re: Solo, Wet, and Cold Quote: (Originally Posted by jkaterenchuk) As was posted in a video recently on another thread......Don harden the f#@$ up. On a serious note. Before taking your Cave class you will want to make a decision.....drysuit or wet. This will be important because the better your bouyancy control the better the class will go. All the in cave skills will be easier and you will be better able to concentrate on completing those skills correctly rather than also worrying about your bouyancy. If you do decide to go with the wetsuit you will need something that will keep you warmer as the cave temps are lower. I do not have my log here with me but 69-71 F rings a bell. Last week I was wearing a Full 7/5mm with hood. That was comfortable for 60 min plus dives. Given its freshwater, carrying a 80 cu ft BO no extra weight was needed. John I would love to do the class wet, but I have yet to hardern the f*k up, so it will be done dry. I just gotta dive more __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!*
(Offline)

25th May 2008, 15:20	#4 (permalink)
Numpty diver Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Dolphin Ray Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Home Build Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Norway, Bergen Posts: 206	Re: Solo, Wet, and Cold Where will you do your cave course ..which instructor ? Dean
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25th May 2008, 15:34	#5 (permalink)
jiseson DSIX/O2PTIMA Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island,ny Posts: 562	Re: Solo, Wet, and Cold 76 and u were cold-u need to put some meat on your skinny body! __________________ *Jonathan D Iseson*
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25th May 2008, 15:34	#6 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 1,054	Re: Solo, Wet, and Cold Quote: (Originally Posted by Numpty diver) Where will you do your cave course ..which instructor ? Dean North Florida with Jill Heinerth __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
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