Some daft Dive gear questions

[Chris W]

Originally Posted by big_si

Welcome to my world... sigh...

Still loved every minute of it though!

Yup - already made one mistake

Luckily not an expensive one!!!!

[big_si]

Originally Posted by Chris W

Yup - already made one mistake

Luckily not an expensive one!!!!

Since passing my open water last October, I have changed most of my kit.

Dry suit,
regs from A-clamp to DIN (wish I'd gone DIN from the start)
single cylinder to twins
BCD for a wing
fins

Most of these have been due more to an evolution in the type of diving I've been doing and that of my regular buddies rather than a wrong choice initially though.

Don't forget there are also loads of other things to buy along the way

Most important thing... Enjoy yourself and get out there and use it all! Are lots of people who get the stuff and then it spends most of it's life in the garage rather than being dived with!!! Get out and get it wet!

[Chris W]

Yes I know what you mean!!!

I'm already wondering about a wing - debate for another time though!!! Like after I've got some of the essential stuff..........

Ohhhh and there is sooo much shiney stuff as well - muust ressisstt

[sean0801]

Originally Posted by Chris W

Hi Sean,

Thanks for replying.

Are double filtered compressors common (don't know anything about compressors)?

Get both? what advantages would that have?

I was in the same situation as you, trained with a cuff dump but every experienced diver i saw was using a shoulder dump and i wanted my own dry suit, so i asked the same question as you on here. Get both, it'll make you feel better when first using your new suit but after a few dives you'll probably stop using the cuff dump and just roll your shoulder slightly to dump air. It'll only cost you a coupla extra quid, if you get a MTM from divers warehouse, you'll be able to negotiate a freebie anyway.

BTW do you work at copley by any chance?

[Chris W]

Originally Posted by sean0801

I was in the same situation as you, trained with a cuff dump but every experienced diver i saw was using a shoulder dump and i wanted my own dry suit, so i asked the same question as you on here. Get both, it'll make you feel better when first using your new suit but after a few dives you'll probably stop using the cuff dump and just roll your shoulder slightly to dump air. It'll only cost you a coupla extra quid, if you get a MTM from divers warehouse, you'll be able to negotiate a freebie anyway.

BTW do you work at copley by any chance?

Hi Sean,

That's exactly whats running through my mind - and I'll get both. I'll be getting it from DW as well.....

PM on the way about Copley ......

[siltmonkey]

Originally Posted by Chris W

Yes I know what you mean!!!

I'm already wondering about a wing - debate for another time though!!! Like after I've got some of the essential stuff..........

Ohhhh and there is sooo much shiney stuff as well - muust ressisstt

Yes, resist. Most of it is rubbish cleverly marketed to make you believe you need it.

Here's a good site that could save you large amounts of money:

Bitz Scuba Diving Equipment Guide

:-)

r

[DiverChris]

Remember all cylinders that hold any enriched air need to be cleaned, but ordinary regs and BC's are OK up to 40%.

As to dumps it is totaly personal preference, usually what you first learn in.
I prefer shoulder dump, but the GF has just got a new suirt with a shoulder, and she really can't be doing with it.

See if you can borrow one.

[David D]

Yep, as others have said most regs will do to 40%, stay away from titanium, and the cylinder is the only thing to get O2 cleaned. Mainly, as more often than not, it'll be partially filled with pure O2 before being topped off with normal air to produce your required mix.

As to the dump, I've seen people struggle to dump air from a cuff and use the same hand for something else at the same time; could happen if you're having a bad day.

As to getting both, you're putting a second hole in your suit. These things can leak and may need future maintenance, never cheap. Personal preference, go with the shoulder dump.

[Mark Chase]

02 cleen regs dont bother I use my one with 100% streight out of the box

02 cleen air just ask for it when you get a fill

Dumps. Sholder dumps are suposedly automatic and cuff dumps arnt. Both or either work well. I had both on my last suit and i was happy.

However cuff dumps are a PITA for vidio, photography, shut down drills and scootering so you may decide a sholder dump is preferable. Get a Psytec one much better than the low profile Apex. Old high profile apex are also good.

HTH

Mark Chase

[Freeflow]

I prefer the Apeks low profile shoulder dump. Dunno why just do.

When I was taking people in after they had done OW and then bought a DS with a shoulder dump a lot seemed to struggle, so I developed this method to help them out:

Open the dump all the way and drop to at least 5m [but no more than 10!] using the BC for buoyancy control.

Empty the BC and fully close the DS dump.

Do a pin fivot while adding air to the DS.

Now go into a hover.

Drop back to your knees and then slowly open the valve. When bubbles come out close it a click or two.

You should now auto vent the air on ascent as the pressure in the suit becomes greater than the water pressure.

On the surface count the number of clicks to fully open or closed, that way you can set it if it gets knocked.

Make sure you do the above with a buddy who can help you if things go wonky, and get you back to the bottom from the hover if needed.