Shutdowns - I'm getting there!

[Moz]

.........

[wilbo]

Originally Posted by Buoyant Babe

I was particularly excited when Bob my instructor loosened my harness, had a quick look and said "you'll get at least another twelve inches down there"

you *were* wearing clothes at the time right?

[wilbo]

if you are going to try in the pool - then if you can wear exactly what you would in open water.. yes you will get hot and sweaty - but it is the quickest way to identify an issue be it suit/unsuit/equipment or technique.

sry for the mini hijack helen.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by wilbo

if you are going to try in the pool - then if you can wear exactly what you would in open water.. yes you will get hot and sweaty - but it is the quickest way to identify an issue be it suit/unsuit/equipment or technique.

sry for the mini hijack helen.

I agree - I asked Bob if he wanted me in full kit, but he said he wanted to make sure I could actually do them first so that if I can't in my suit the issue lies with my drysuit or undersuits. TBH, it's been such a confidence boost to know that I'm physically able to do them.

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by wilbo

you *were* wearing clothes at the time right?

Yeah, I told you. My 3mm full length suit. The crotchless one...

[Clare Gledhill]

Pool's are great for practice and the knowledge that you can reach will stand you in good stead for when you put your dry suit on again.

When I first tried to shutdown I could barely reach my right post and couldn't reach my left at all. Stretches, good kit set up and technique all help but nothing helps more than doing it just once and learning you can.

Well done!

[jonesor]

Originally Posted by hebails

Nice one. So was muscle memory a factor? i.e did you try repeatedly and then something just clicked or was there certain excercises that contributed to the succesfull attempt?
Thanks
Paul

I'd only tried it a few times before so not sure about muscle memory. I didn't do special excercises or anything. I just made sure that this time I did a bit more stretching before getting in the water. Apart from getting the limbs ready for a stretch I think that might help with making sure that my undersuit was not bunched up anywhere. Also, it was certainly easier with a more horizontal trim -- I could actually push the tanks up my back a little bit to get them that little bit closer to my hands.
Now I know it's possible for me I'll try to do it on every dive now till it becomes second nature!

Owen

[DIVE BUDDHA]

Originally Posted by wilbo

you *were* wearing clothes at the time right?

wilbo you want to wash ur mind out with carbolic soap !

[SilvaFish]

Nice one Helen, and if anything like me, can dive with an easier mind knowing can shut down. I too find the left post awkward; it's reach and then have to bring hand out to side a little bit. That's after latching onto a wreck by the fins, inverting and tugging at my cage...

[pauldiving]

get to the gym, get on a pec deck or press ups at home!

work it girl!