My MOD1 training experience with Tekstream

AM

Haha, you need "the treatment" which is learn to dive in Scotland then everything else is blissfully warm

Anyway going back to the original point, learning to dive CCR in a drysuit IS useful if that is what you will be diving in later, might as well get all the bases covered and get the DS buoyancy nailed on the course.

Regards

AnneMarie

decoweenie

No thanks as about 1/3 of my diving was done in Norway and quarries in Belgium (5C max year round at depth), so I had "the treatment"...

And yes, back on topic, I agree wholeheartedly that if you could nail the drysuit with mod-1, it is a major step forward when back in the cold environment.

However, it is that much more to deal with on the course as well which not everyone could be comfortable with. If not, may be doing the latter 1/2 of the course on drysuit might help...

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AM

5C?! That's WARM man LOL

decoweenie

Well, my weenie is smaller than yours... LOL

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tflaris

Thanks for the information. Iam planning my MOD 1 on the Evo in begining of Feb. Your write-up was very helpful.

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kevini

Thanks for the comments guys and feedback on my first post !!

To answer some of your comments (sorry if they are not quite on-subject for the training forum ) I wasn't sure initially about using a drysuit as I had always used just a 3mm Scubapro which was great but Aaron pointed out before I went that the course would involve lots of in-water time and if I progressed further with ccr then the longer potential dive times made a drysuit more sensible.

I had a look around and after going to the Dive show at the NEC I settled on a DUI TLS350 front loader.......beautiful (IMHO), and I being a 'fat bast**d' (well i've now lost 25lbs so maybe not quite so bad!) ordered a custom one from Eau Zone in Egham (A good rebreather friendly dive shop by the way....recommended). Unfortunatley the DUI order times move at the speed of a glacier and my own custom suit was due to arrive the day after I was flying to Sharm so I had a loan one.

I really like these suits as they suit my 'fairly light use', longhaul travel and of course very adaptable in terms of varying what you wear as base layer.

Anyhow.....Under the TLS350 I had a 4th Element Xeotherm which I found a tidge too cool in 25deg water. Yes I know i'm a wimp to you UK and especially Scot divers If I went back I would probably wear their Artic undersuit........4th Element stuff rocks! (IMHO).

I found that the best way, with the triple buoyancy considerations in ccr (Wing, drysuit and loop), to control buoyancy was just to inject air into the drysuit to reduce squeeze only and leave the wing for buoyancy. This meant that the wing/loop were in the main my only considerations which reduced task loading. I don't see therefore why APD in their manual recommend using only the drysuit for buoyancy??? Comments?

The big point for me though I was trying to bring out in my comments was the fact that the sizing of the lungs especially made A BIG difference to the ease in me doing the drills. If you have never used ccr before then you start to think that its your fault (usually in my case ) rather than even thinking its a 'kit fit' issue. So if you are having problems then PLEASE discuss with your instructor and if poss try out some different fit kit if they have it!

From coming from a simple PADI OC type background of just 'following around the Divemaster on tour' I also found that Tekstreams more 'tek diving' focused course made me greatly aware of how important other factors were such as:

SMBs and reels......never used one before
Importance of equipment redundancy eg. side slung bailouts, dual computers
Detail in equipment checks and finding what works for you
Self reliance
Considering what to do in the event of XXX happening

It was all additional task loading over the CCR course but I think it has now made me a much safer diver and has given me a 'reality check' into how little I actually knew/still know.

As a small postscript I am also a self-confessed 'kit basher' and have already got a Titanbox from Mike Hearn (very helpful guy) and Golum BOV (lovely bit of machining) from Jacob.
My idea is to configure these with rear mounted lungs.......but hey (before you all flame me for running before I can walk!) ONLY after a good deal of diving experience on the standard EVO unit first!! So I look forward to posting some details on this in due course together with my experieinces with Dive Mauritius in Feb.

Now......time me-thinks to choose an Avatar picture !!!

Beanie

Xotherm in 25 degrees cold that's 5m wetsuit temps even my ill fitting 5/3mm suit with my complete lack of bioprene was fine. I only use Xeotherm adn Othree pBB in the middle of winter over here
Lou only uses Artic in this country all year under a trilam

Now I've finished taking the piss well done on the course and I hope you enjoy Rebreather diving and RBW as much as the rest of us

I only use my drysuit for bouyancy have done for years even before Rebreather diving, it might be easier when you've got a bit more time on the unit as you'll probably find that your weight requirement drops.

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narked@10m

yep i agree with the drysuit
even wear mine out there in summer though it does leak a bit!!!!!

hope your looking after it properly aaron!!!
pete

if youve binned it your in deep trouble