Stoney - Second Twinset Dive

[JAG]

Monday 22nd November

I know it's not a very exotic report, but as it was only my second twinset (12's) dive I thought I would pass on my thoughts etc..

Anyway, after Garfs Anglesey antics, we had arranged to meet at Stoney around 0900. Decent weather and a parking right down the bottom of the car park eased us into the day nicely.

Before kitting up, Garf and I had a chat about objectives. To be honest they were pretty much all to do with me. Get me in the water for only the second time with twins, have another crack at reaching the valves and generally getting some more experience. After the twinset familiarisation with Mark Powell a couple of weeks ago, http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...ight=wraysbury, the only changes to kit since then was the replacement of my ND Harness with a pair of Narked at 60 weight pockets and the loss of another 1kg of lead, reducing my total weight to 3kg. The NAS weight pockets were excellent and the long hose routed underneath without any problems.

Time to enter the water. We had arranged to descend to the bottom at about 6m, for me to lay on the bottom practising reaching for the isolator. Even with Garfs assistance this was a non starter as I felt very restricted and could barely touch the back of my head let alone the isolator. I was miles away. Had a look at my trim also. After a few minutes it was to endex. We surfaced and had a chat. We decided to continue with the dive, in very close proximity to each other. Made our way to the Stanegarth and had a potter round, buoyancy throughout was quite good I thought, I was expecting nightmares, then headed back and decided to release DSMB's from about 20m. All in all, the dive felt really good.

During the SI, and obligitory Bacon and Sausage Bap, with tea of course, we had a good chat about ways to try and improve my lack of dexterity. Out of the water I can reach behind with no problems at all. Garf suggested that I literrally hoist my undersuit and drysuit right under my chin, getting rid of as many folds in the suits as possible and put the twins on then. Even without getting in the water I could feel the difference, just felt less restricted. Mission objective this time was to try for the isolater again, have a look at trim, then continue with the dive. As before, descended to the bottom at about 6m and attempted to reach for the isolater. Definate improvement!! Was able to get hold of the guard and although a struggle was able to just get my fingers on the isolater and turn it!! This was a major step forward for me. After a few minutes, surfaced again for another chat. We decided that if I drop the bands an inch or so, and put the tactile knobs on that Garf brought along (and subsequently took back home again!) then that could go a long way in sorting out my problem. From here, Garf was tasked with responsibility of navigating us, we continued the dive, firstly down to the Hydrobox, then the landrover, followed by the Wessex, followed the ledge up and onto the Nautilus. Bang on Navigation Garf! Suitably impressed mate. Once again, throughout, I thought my buoyancy was ok, along with my trim for, I would say about 60% of the time. Just lean forward to get the trim back. On the way to the Wessex I felt confident enough to attempt reaching for my valves and to my utter shock was able to reach the guard relatively easily, whilst maintaining some semblence of buoyancy control, compared to how it was before anyway. The only problem I had was after coming up, (completing stops on the way), on the way to the Nautilus my buoyancy let me down a touch. I obviously hadn't anticipated the change of volume of air in the wing enough and from 6m started ascending. Got it under control by 3m, but was a valuable lesson learned. Being used to diving using my Drysuit for buoyancy and getting to know the feel of it and how it reacts to pressure changes, changing to the wing has been an eye opener as I don't have that feel anymore.

Summary:
Thanks Garf for your help/advice and patience today, much appreciated. Thoroughly enjoyed the diving today and learned a great deal. I'm happy with my kit config, pretty much so anyway, a bit of fine tuning but that's about it I think. The one thing I would like to get sorted is a pouch or something to stow my reel that doesn't interfere with my setup too much. Glad to have lost another 1kg of lead. Think that's about it, like I said, just my thoughts.

All the best,

Ian

[And]

Well done Ian

Keep trying

Andy

[Mr T.]

Good on ya mate!

In-Water-time and patience and you'll be flying the bitch like a natural!

[Noel Johnson]

Good on yer Ian, I'm still trying to get to grips with it all myself. My dives with Garf in Anglesey were twinset dives number 3 and 4... I think I still need to raise the rig by an inch or two though and play with the harness slightly.

Cheers mate and enjoy Sharm,

Noel.