New Diver after some advice

[Chris W]

Hi there,

I've recently completed my Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses in Cyprus. Last week in fact.

I only have nine logged dives and I'm very aware of my limitations and lack of experience at the moment as I've only dived in Cyprus in 20M+vis and warm water.

I've been invited away by a mate to a diving weekend in East Scotland. Boat and shore dives. I'm fine on a boat (actually prefer it).

The dives are between 10/20M I'm not sure of the exact location yet.

I'm just wondering what to expect..... I have preconceptions of freezing water, crap vis etc.......

Also how crazy would I be using a wetsuit?

I don't mind admitting I've got the bug and the wife as well by the way.

[Brick]

In a wetsuit, you would be crazy indeed. A semidry would be slightly less insane but personally, I wouldn't dive it in less than a drysuit. As long as the sites are relatively easy and you're diving with a competent and experienced buddy, then UK diving should be fine. That said, I've never dived in that area and so don't know if there is anything else that you should need to worry about.

[Chris W]

Thanks for this!!!

I'm only trained for a wetsuit (I think Semi dry fits into that category?)

The chap who is organising it is a BSAC instructor and my mate is a sport diver - they have both dived there before.

I have started reading up on the area to get and idea of currents/slack times etc............

[Letz]

If you don't have time to sort and train in a dry suit I would suggest a semi, hood and gloves.
As your friends appear to be well trained they should be able to advise you appropriately. Ask them about DSMBs and get some training and practice with them

The vis may not be too bad as you're in the sea but I strongly urge you to get some more info and understanding of the area and conditions. Also, do not just get enthused to follow your mates, make more enquiries and be prepared to say no. There are many aspects of UK diving you will want to know about and the call will be yours.

Take care and be safe

[Chris W]

Thanks,

I didn't do a dry suit course because I honestly had no intention of diving in the UK - I will probably have to do one eventually.

Yes I'll ask some more questions and get some more info on the area.

I'll look into DSMBS I honestly don't know what one of these does at the moment.

[Mark Chase]

Dry suit is a good plan for the near future but the water temp down here is 15 at the moment so a 7mm semi dry should be good for 45mins to an hour.

Dry suits take a good bit of practice but its worth it.

Ask about the recent viz on these dives and then you will not be shocked when you get there.

SMB and reel may be required and you need to ask for assistance with using them if you haven't before.

Basically have a go and if you feel uncomfortable for any reasion, come up.


UK diving is well worth the effort of learning. Especially up your way.

ATB

Mark Chase

[Chris W]

Thanks Mark,

I'll ask the question - I'm going to ask for a 10M dive anyway before moving onto the deeper stuff.

Am I right in thinking 5M vis is the average off the UK ?

I'm going to have to get some Dry Suit Training as I can't wait until our next holiday!!!!!

[Finless]

Originally Posted by Chris W

Thanks,

I didn't do a dry suit course because I honestly had no intention of diving in the UK - I will probably have to do one eventually.

Yes I'll ask some more questions and get some more info on the area.

I'll look into DSMBS I honestly don't know what one of these does at the moment.

1. I think you will be "blown away" by UK diving - far superior to warm water Med diving IMO.
2. I would imagine the vis will be excellent (bare in mind that 6 inches vis is counted as bad ..... but diveable ).
3. Ref diving in a wet suit .....hmmmm, if it is thick enough to keep you warm during the dive then your only problem will getting cold on the boat - esp if you are doing at least 2 dives a day.

I can guarantee that if you love diving and wrecks you will love UK diving ........ in fact, even fish prodders love UK diving.

Oh, a DSMB (delayed surface marker buoy) is standard kit for UK diving - you inflate a sausage shaped tube from on the bottom/during the ascent so the skipper can follow you as you drift off the wreck - an essential piece of kit for diving in tidal waters.

[Letz]

Originally Posted by Chris W

I'll look into DSMBS I honestly don't know what one of these does at the moment.

I scanned a couple of pages on DSMB deployment from a dive mag (it was good) into email for a friend a while back. I have found the emails (sooo bad at clearing my sent box!) Pm me with an email address if you would like me to forward

Your BSAC Instructor mate should be able to provide some reading for you. There's DSMB stuff in the Sports Diver study manual

HTH

[Chris W]

Wha?

6 inches!!! - I have been spoilt - In Cyprus worst vis was 20M.

The day I dived the Zenobia you could see it from the surface!!!!