Joined
·
20 Posts
Imported post
Another daft question from your local neighbourhood novice.
When I qualified I used a membrane suit. Didn't care for it too much and after trying different suits I got a NDiver - Divemaster crushed neoprene with a NDiver 'bulky' thermal undersuit. First time I tried it I had to use extra weight to get below the surface. Then went off to Tenerife and got more experience. When I got back I went to Capernwray, it was a hot day so didn't use the thermal - just t-shirt and shorts. Still warm as toast, and because I had dumped a couple of kilos of weight in Tenerife I dived with the dry-suit with the same weight as in Tenerife. As I say, warm as toast, no hood or gloves either, and NO problems with weight - 2 really good dives. Two days ago a friend from work and I go up to Capernwray - again. It's a bit chilly and wet and windy, so I use the thermal undersuit, only for the second time. On the first dive I had real problems getting down below the surface with the same weight when without the thermal suit. Once I reached 6 metres on the descent I was fine and to be honest only put air into the drysuit once - most comfortable dive I'd had and the best bouyancy - however, on reflection I now reckon I should have aborted and put more weight on when I realised I was not getting neg. bouyancy easily enough on the descent. It dawned on me as we came up - everyhting was fine to about 7 metres and then between 7m - 5m the phrase 'polaris' sets in. I had to force my head to face the bottom and fin to keep at 6 metres. We had done a very gradual ascent simply because of the nature of the dive but I knew this wasn't right. There was no panic on my part and I did the 6m stop, but inverted and having to fin a little. I can hear to ooohs' and the aaarghs! as I type - but I'd rather own up and learn. My Buddy - who is more expereinced - said I'm probably near to getting my weight just right as I didn't need to touch the inflator valve on the suit apart from one short burst once below 6 metres. I put on 4Lbs extra on the second dive and literally fell like a stone, having to mess around with bouyancy control the whole dive - Why does the thermal make so much difference? - this does seem to be the common denominator - should I just dive with much more weight than I need or persevere until I get it just right. Then, of course there's salt water to contend with. Go easy on me - pleeeeeease!!!! No doubt there will be NO TAKERS for the offer to dive this Thursday 12th?
Another daft question from your local neighbourhood novice.
When I qualified I used a membrane suit. Didn't care for it too much and after trying different suits I got a NDiver - Divemaster crushed neoprene with a NDiver 'bulky' thermal undersuit. First time I tried it I had to use extra weight to get below the surface. Then went off to Tenerife and got more experience. When I got back I went to Capernwray, it was a hot day so didn't use the thermal - just t-shirt and shorts. Still warm as toast, and because I had dumped a couple of kilos of weight in Tenerife I dived with the dry-suit with the same weight as in Tenerife. As I say, warm as toast, no hood or gloves either, and NO problems with weight - 2 really good dives. Two days ago a friend from work and I go up to Capernwray - again. It's a bit chilly and wet and windy, so I use the thermal undersuit, only for the second time. On the first dive I had real problems getting down below the surface with the same weight when without the thermal suit. Once I reached 6 metres on the descent I was fine and to be honest only put air into the drysuit once - most comfortable dive I'd had and the best bouyancy - however, on reflection I now reckon I should have aborted and put more weight on when I realised I was not getting neg. bouyancy easily enough on the descent. It dawned on me as we came up - everyhting was fine to about 7 metres and then between 7m - 5m the phrase 'polaris' sets in. I had to force my head to face the bottom and fin to keep at 6 metres. We had done a very gradual ascent simply because of the nature of the dive but I knew this wasn't right. There was no panic on my part and I did the 6m stop, but inverted and having to fin a little. I can hear to ooohs' and the aaarghs! as I type - but I'd rather own up and learn. My Buddy - who is more expereinced - said I'm probably near to getting my weight just right as I didn't need to touch the inflator valve on the suit apart from one short burst once below 6 metres. I put on 4Lbs extra on the second dive and literally fell like a stone, having to mess around with bouyancy control the whole dive - Why does the thermal make so much difference? - this does seem to be the common denominator - should I just dive with much more weight than I need or persevere until I get it just right. Then, of course there's salt water to contend with. Go easy on me - pleeeeeease!!!! No doubt there will be NO TAKERS for the offer to dive this Thursday 12th?
