Dry Suit Course

[sprozman]

Hiya,

I'm looking for some advice.

For diving in the Uk should I invest in a Dry Suit Course or can I get away with a thick wetsuit? Should I just eat a lot of lard? If I should do the course, who would you recommend(I live in Leeds and don't have a car)?

[MATTBIN]

Dry-suit - oh yes if you are even thinking about UK diving outside of Autumn, warm water warm days, just. Anything else I hate. Dry suit course, if you buy a suit from a shop they will probably throw in a course in a pool. Then grab somebody off here head for an inland site and practice, pay their petrol and expenses - job done.
Kevin has a shop and runs courses and he's on here and I think he's up your way, what more do you need. Just add water as they say.
My opinion only.
Matt

[ian Price]

 STRANGELY!!

I agree with Matt, if your serious about UK diving you probably need to get a dry suit, You do see the odd figure huddled in a corner shaking in a semi, or the Uni clubs at stoney all freezing their nuts off in March or April.

You also see them diving straight into a hot shower after the dive too, which is a NO No cos of the DCS implications.  Anyway both PADI and BSAC run dry suit courses.

I did a Padi course which was 70 quid for a pool session plus 2 dives, it was ok and you certainly need to know how to use your suit, or more importantly how not use your suit etc. BSAC if your a member is prabably cheaper??

If you havent bought a suit checkout e-bay and the other web sites there are always lots of 2nd hand suits on offer, if your in that average size bracket...

shame they dont sell gas filled SMB's and I could save the £70 I'm going to have to fork out.... moan mumble mutter


Ian

[Jules]

definately a dry suit, thinsulate , long johns, fleece, two pairs of socks. Also invest in a decent hood and gloves.
definately recommend a dry suit course ..
Jules

[And]

<font color='#0000FF'>Hi

You live in Leeds and don't have a car. Your choice is probably Roho. They do a dry suit course (PADI and BSAC) which allows you to try a drysuit in their 3mtr pool and then they'll take you to Capernwray or someplace to do some drysuit dives (they have a minibus van thingy).

My girlfriend did the BSAC one. It has helped her diving. I was taught to dive with a drysuit and so diving a wetsuit is strange to me!!

WL

[Mr T.]

Hey Sproz,

Only you know how cold you get in the water - that said, if you're gonna be diving in UK conditions as much as most of us on here, then yes, my advice would be to get a dry-bag and take a recognised drysuit use &amp; orientation course (regardless of agency or club). When thinking about this step, it is the instructor, not the course, which is important. Choose one you either know and respect, or one who comes recommended by friends who dive who you know and respect.

There have been a number of unfortunate accidents (some fatal) of late that may, in the final analysis and after the inquests, be put down to the fact that the diver in question was not au fait or comfortable with the different disciplines of diving ('flying') a dry bag - it is very different from using a wet suit or semi-dry and consequently new skills need to both learnt and mastered.

THREE key areas to master and become adept at controlling:

1. Learning how to recognise, redress and correct an inversion (where the air on your suit migrates to your suit legs/feet/boots) and in so doing, preventing yourself from having a rapid and/or uncontrolled feet-first ascent from any depth!

2. Redress and correct 'Suit Squeeze': failing to do this can result in either mild or massive discomfort on a dive and if left unchecked by the untutored, can result in panic....with all the attendant norz that can bring with it.

3. Buoyancy Control: because, dependent on your personal style and choice (i.e. suit or wing/BC to control buoyancy)above depths of 30 to 40 metres, you will be using either your suit or your wing/BCD to control your buoyancy, it is essential that you learn how to 'fly' the suit - otherwise 'problems' can occur. Below approx 40 metres, you would have to use that much air/gas to inflate your suit that it becomes uneconomical and so you would have to switch to your wing or BC to control your bouyancy. Above that depth (although you will get a mountain of differing personal opinion on this point) you can make the call yourself which you use - your suit or your wing/BC.

I personally can recomment Chris Hall, who lives in your neck of the woods-ish, as both a safe and reliable instructor; he's also a very approachable guy too. You can find him on these boards.

Good luck and I hope this has been of some use. Anything further just ask away.

Cheers.

[Driftwood]

<font color='#8D38C9'>Dry suit course is a must for bag-divers

Have a rather strong view on this........

You can't drive a car if you've only ever had a motorbike.....

[Diving Dude]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (sprozman @ May 16 2003,15:59)]Should I just eat a lot of lard?

Haven't tried the eating lard bit, done the drinking beer for 25yrs, has the same effect but more pleasant, however does it keep me warm ....No
Does it mean l have to put less weight on the belt......NO

l'm beginning to think all the spondulies l've spent have been wasted.

If someone had told me earlier l wouldn't have boozed so much and would have spent the dosh down the gym.

[Noel Johnson]

Hi, I dive full time in a drysuit when in the UK &nbsp; &nbsp;(which is most of the time) and I have never, NEVER, done the PADI drysuit speciality admittedly I practiced on the 6 metre shelf at Stoney with some experienced friends before going to Jersey but I don't see the course as being a necessity. Sorry if it upsets people but this is my honest opinion.

Take your time, learn how the suit works and save your money for more kit.

Noel

[parahandy]

Sprozman, go for a drysuit
As you've gathered allready its not simply a case of getting it and going diving. You gotta learn how to drive the thing, its no big deal. &nbsp;A few pool sessions getting used to their little querks, then a few sessions in sheltered shallow open water, it does take a little time to get confident with things.

I agree with Noel, you don't necessarily need a course to safely learn the skills, a Competant instructor or experienced buddy will suffice. &nbsp;Route as outlined pay with PADI or join your local BSAC or SAA Branch.
Other golden rule get a &quot;decent&quot; undersuit.