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DeadlyMuffin posted:What temperature of water do you normally dive in? I can't remember who's who Low 50s is the coldest it gets and it has not been an issue so far.
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Sep 1, 2025 18:59
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theHUNGERian posted:Low 50s is the coldest it gets and it has not been an issue so far. I dove similar temps (high 40s to mid 50s). A dry suit makes a big difference for longer dives, and definitely for repetitive ones. Around here most frequent divers end up in a dry suit eventually. It does take some getting used to though.
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Sep 1, 2025 19:12
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Jesus Christ you guys are insane. At 27C I start to bitch and make faces. Ask if the dive shops have 15L tanks for rent. Generally gives you an extra 10 minutes on your dive.
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Sep 1, 2025 23:42
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DeadlyMuffin posted:I dove similar temps (high 40s to mid 50s). A dry suit makes a big difference for longer dives, and definitely for repetitive ones. Gonna second this, having been a dm in a place where water temps like this were the norm and I was in a wetsuit. Past a certain point doing the Wetsuit Dance a few times a day just got old.
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Sep 2, 2025 00:01
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Trivia posted:Jesus Christ you guys are insane. We can't all live in the tropics :-) It's a big ocean out there. If I am willing to withstand the cold I get to see this, not too far from where I live, and a much larger part of the world is opened up for me to visit.  Icon Of Sin posted:Gonna second this, having been a dm in a place where water temps like this were the norm and I was in a wetsuit. Past a certain point doing the Wetsuit Dance a few times a day just got old. Repetitive diving is where I think the drysuit really shines. You warm up so much more in between dives, and that makes a massive difference. Look for used ones unless you're an odd size. Shops will try and sell you on a custom one. DeadlyMuffin fucked around with this message at 03:59 on Sep 2, 2025 |
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Sep 2, 2025 00:09
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so how DO you recover from going upside down in a dry suit and getting all your buoyancy trapped by your feet?
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Sep 3, 2025 11:46
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DeadlyMuffin posted:Repetitive diving is where I think the drysuit really shines. You warm up so much more in between dives, and that makes a massive difference. I was going to say that I feel fine on a 3-dive day, but I guess I don't know what I am missing out on, so fair point. Good news is that my instructor (=dive shop owner) is looking to upgrade to a new dry suit, so provided his old one fits, he is offering it to me at a steep discount.
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Sep 3, 2025 12:35
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Potato Salad posted:so how DO you recover from going upside down in a dry suit and getting all your buoyancy trapped by your feet? Kick down so they compress, or in an extreme case I was taught to roll in order to get the vent above the legs. I've never actually had to roll.
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Sep 3, 2025 14:24
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I haven't had a ton of dives in my drysuit, but the only time I have had to do any leg-clearing maneuvers was as part of checking it out in the pool when I first got it. It honestly felt kind of analogous to jackknifing down from the surface when freediving, if that makes any sense.
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Sep 3, 2025 15:38
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I wouldn't go down the tech path unless you actually want to do tech. Also it probably makes more sense to learn either drysuit or doubles and then the other when you're comfortable with the first if you're worried about task loading.
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Sep 7, 2025 19:20
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asur posted:I wouldn't go down the tech path unless you actually want to do tech. Also it probably makes more sense to learn either drysuit or doubles and then the other when you're comfortable with the first if you're worried about task loading. Of the two, I'd vote drysuit before doubles. You want to get comfortable in it.
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Sep 7, 2025 19:54
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Agreed on taking one thing at a time. And since I am fine in a wet suit, I'll stick with it and just get trained on doubles. I'll do dry suit if/when I need it, same with tech.
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Sep 10, 2025 01:15
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 What is it with these red sponges and the baby sea stars? I feel like every time I see one of these sponges there are a bunch of baby sea stars hanging out there too. Are the sponges eating the sea stars or the other way around? Or is it a more symbiotic relationship? Or is this were sea stars are being made?
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Sep 14, 2025 22:31
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The sea stars are probably eating the sponges. Not every species does, but crown-of-thorns sea stars are basically a plague on reefs https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/plague-sea-stars
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Sep 14, 2025 23:27
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Those look like small or juvenile brittle stars. They can live in really high density when food is plentiful.
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Sep 15, 2025 02:28
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ploots posted:Those look like small or juvenile brittle stars. They can live in really high density when food is plentiful. The Arctic seafloor is basically arm-to-arm brittle stars in places.
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Sep 15, 2025 14:39
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theHUNGERian posted:Agreed on taking one thing at a time. And since I am fine in a wet suit, I'll stick with it and just get trained on doubles. I'll do dry suit if/when I need it, same with tech. What size tank are you diving now, and what's your typical average depth on the dives you want to last an hour? theHUNGERian posted:
They may be eating gunk off the surface of the sponge. Sponges pull water through themselves so there's going to be more food for a little brittle star on the outside of a sponge than a random bit of rock. DeadlyMuffin fucked around with this message at 15:02 on Sep 15, 2025 |
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Sep 15, 2025 15:00
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sharkytm posted:The Arctic seafloor is basically arm-to-arm brittle stars in places. Some of the sites around Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands are like that too. But I was curious why I almost always see babies at the sponges. DeadlyMuffin posted:What size tank are you diving now, and what's your typical average depth on the dives you want to last an hour? I have an HP100, and on a typical 3 dive trip there is at least one dive where I reach 1000 psi at the ~40 minute mark, and like a good boy I make my ascent so I reach the surface with no less than 750 psi. I typically hit 60+ feet on those dives. The dive shop is currently putting together a quote for a setup around aluminum 80 doubles. DeadlyMuffin posted:They may be eating gunk off the surface of the sponge. Sponges pull water through themselves so there's going to be more food for a little brittle star on the outside of a sponge than a random bit of rock. Aha, thanks!
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Sep 16, 2025 00:55
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theHUNGERian posted:Some of the sites around Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands are like that too. But I was curious why I almost always see babies at the sponges. Other potential options are a larger single tank (I have LP104s, I have dove HP120s) or a sling bottle. Advantage of both of those is it wouldn't require you to buy a whole new BCD setup assuming you have one that can handle clipping off a stage bottle, and you don't have to deal with doubles. I dive double HP100s regularly. I love them. But they are heavy, they require a different wing, they require either two new regulators or one new one and you're swapping hoses when you want to dive a single tank. I think you also need to be able to reach the valves and do a valve drill IMO (debatable). I would not dive doubles if I did not tech dive. Were you my dive buddy, I'd loan you a 40 cubic foot stage bottle to try out. It's small, if you only need it to extend dives a bit you wouldn't need to fill it up between dives. What does your BCD look like? Also, quasi related, I was in the Channel Islands this past weekend :-)    
DeadlyMuffin fucked around with this message at 05:53 on Sep 16, 2025 |
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Sep 16, 2025 03:09
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DeadlyMuffin posted:Other potential options are a larger single tank (I have LP104s, I have dove HP120s) or a sling bottle. Advantage of both of those is it wouldn't require you to buy a whole new BCD setup assuming you have one that can handle clipping off a stage bottle, and you don't have to deal with doubles. While I do look forward to the weight of the doubles, I am in the middle of mountaineering trips, so my legs need the exercise. I also think that the weight will not be as much of an issue once I am in the water. Current BCD is a Scubapro Hydros and I understand I have to get something else for doubles. The shop is working on a quote now. DeadlyMuffin posted:Also, quasi related, I was in the Channel Islands this past weekend :-) What boat, and how did you like it?
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Sep 16, 2025 23:53
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theHUNGERian posted:While I do look forward to the weight of the doubles, I am in the middle of mountaineering trips, so my legs need the exercise. I also think that the weight will not be as much of an issue once I am in the water. Out of the water is where the weight is an issue. theHUNGERian posted:Current BCD is a Scubapro Hydros and I understand I have to get something else for doubles. The shop is working on a quote now. I use the same backplate for doubles or single tank, I just swap the wing. Works well. I have never seen doubles on a rig that wasn't a backplate. theHUNGERian posted:What boat, and how did you like it? The Vision. I've gone on one of those boats pretty much every year for ~15 years now. I love the Channel Islands, one of my favorite places in the world. The boat's for sale though, so it may be the last time I get to dive off of it. That was a bit bittersweet.
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Sep 17, 2025 01:17
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DeadlyMuffin posted:The Vision. I've gone on one of those boats pretty much every year for ~15 years now. I love the Channel Islands, one of my favorite places in the world. I was on the Spectre on Friday and we drove past you guys (near Rat Rock, I think?). (⌐■_■)
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Sep 17, 2025 01:26
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theHUNGERian posted:I was on the Spectre on Friday and we drove past you guys (near Rat Rock, I think?). (⌐■_■) Nice! We did dive Rat Rock. I would've noticed the Spectre, I was probably underwater when you went by. I think that shot of the black sea perch is from that dive.
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Sep 17, 2025 01:49
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We had a blast over at East Channels, Underwater Island, and Sea Lion Beach.     
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Sep 17, 2025 03:35
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theHUNGERian posted:We had a blast over at East Channels, Underwater Island, and Sea Lion Beach.  Great shots. What kinda camera rig are you diving with?
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Sep 18, 2025 20:34
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MrYenko posted:
Thanks. It's a simple EM10 IV + 90 mm macro + AOI housing + a single flash.
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Sep 18, 2025 23:40
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theHUNGERian posted:Thanks. It's a simple EM10 IV + 90 mm macro + AOI housing + a single flash. Hell yes. I frequently see divers lugging a LOT more gear around to get stuff half as good. I’ll occasionally dive with a GoPro on a pistol mount with a single dive light, and that feels bulky and inconvenient as hell.
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Sep 19, 2025 00:21
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MrYenko posted:Hell yes. I frequently see divers lugging a LOT more gear around to get stuff half as good. I’ll occasionally dive with a GoPro on a pistol mount with a single dive light, and that feels bulky and inconvenient as hell. Many thanks. I had low/medium expectations from this setup (I am a photography snob and m43 just felt wrong), but the Oly punches above its weight. Of course it helps that I only do macro with an external flash, meaning I am at base ISO (low noise) and the diffuser gives me soft light so I don't need tons of dynamic range from the sensor. I fully expected to upgrade to an A7R5 (or more recent model) sometime this year, but the size and weight of the Oly are just too convenient and I feel that a larger sensor will not gain me anything for my typical macro shots, so the Oly is here to stay.
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Sep 19, 2025 01:31
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I shoot M43 and love it for macro. I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade to a newer Olympus setup or go full frame for wide angle. What I really want is better dynamic range and low light performance. My current setup is circa 2013 technology so it's a big jump either way.
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Sep 19, 2025 02:13
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Probably a stupid question, but if I've done snuba a couple of times and enjoyed the poo poo out of it, is there any reason to think I'd have some kind of showstopping aversion to scuba if I tried it? Looking at my local dive shops for open water courses and was wondering if it's worth taking the DSD course first based on my snuba experiences.
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Sep 21, 2025 21:51
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In my experience as an instructor, the biggest indicator of failure for a DSD is lack of comfort in the water. I take a lot of people from many different nationalities, and the ones with the greatest rate of failure are Indians and Chinese. So much so that they have become stereotyped. Their lack of ability is entirely because, for many, their first DSD experience is also their first time not just in the ocean, but in any body of water, period. It absolutely blows me away that someone who can't swim and is terrified of the water, who has never been swimming, will willingly opt in to try diving. (And believe me, we often try to talk these people out of it.) I often tell them that it takes a very brave (or very stupid) person to do that. It gets a laugh and helps mitigate some nervousness. But it's true. But, I've also had people like that go on to not just successfully experience the DSD dive, but some who've even managed to dive by themselves after instruction. It takes all types. If you've done Snuba a couple times and had fun, and weren't worried, my bet is that you'll probably do the Open Water Course just fine. If you want an added layer of 'insurance' as it were, you can do DSD first and then upgrade to the OWC afterwards. Most agencies and dive shops allow for this, so I'd ask for more details. In short, ask about DSD > OWC upgrade path. Ask how many days it would take (usually it's still 3 days, same as the OWC). Ask about price (sometimes it's slightly more, or sometimes it's just the price difference between the two). I also recommend you do it in warm water. There's more to see (than a lake for instance) and it's less difficult and stressful (no thick wetsuit or tons of weight).
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Sep 22, 2025 01:16
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Today, I learned that snuba exists.
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Sep 22, 2025 12:20
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Yup! At least one of the local dive shops does do a DSD > OWC upgrade, so I may just do that. I live in VA so most of the shops seem to do their qualifying dives at Lake Phoenix (which someone else pointed out upthread has a reputation for being kind of crap). May end up being a timing thing, we were planning a trip to Key West soon anyway so might end up working out where we take the OWC down there versus waiting until some time next year to do it here.
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Sep 22, 2025 14:53
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Self Nontained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
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Sep 22, 2025 22:36
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The weirdest thing for me when I started diving was how normal it all felt.
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Sep 22, 2025 23:10
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Another option, though a lot of instructors don't particularly like it, is to do your pool training in one location and then do your Open Water (Checkout) dives in another. Advantages: Can do pool training locally (or close by) over any number of requisite days. Holiday locations tend to do all pool training in a single day, and the quality of that can vary wildly. So doing it more slowly and locally CAN lead to better training (not a guarantee). Cost can be cheaper, though that does vary. Easier scheduling if you're busy with work or family. Check out dives in better locations are IMMENSELY more interesting. Disadvantages: The person pool training you isn't the one evaluating you in open water (this is stressful for the evaluator, as we have ZERO idea of the kind of person you are or what potential issues could be). Quality of instructor may be be inferior. This point can apply to any dive shop anywhere to be honest, but holiday location instructors tend to have a high turnover, and thus there's a constant influx of new instructors. An instructor with 5 year's experience is muuuuuch different to a newly minted one. An instructor who knows you're doing this scheme may half-rear end training as you become someone else's problem at the end of the day. -------- If you want to go this route then tell the dive shop upfront and ask for a referral form. That form is VERY important and must be given to any successive shop. e: By the rules, all DSD > OWC upgrades must be done by the same instructor who did your DSD (this is dumb imo because any instructor who pool trains you does all the skills again anyway). You have to do the upgrade within one year. It's also up to the shop to offer. Trivia fucked around with this message at 00:56 on Sep 23, 2025 |
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Sep 23, 2025 00:51
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Kesper North posted:The weirdest thing for me when I started diving was how normal it all felt. RETVRN to the ocean 
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Sep 23, 2025 06:23
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Strategic Tea posted:RETVRN to the ocean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnwwlkUkALU
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Sep 23, 2025 10:47
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Trivia posted:In my experience as an instructor, the biggest indicator of failure for a DSD is lack of comfort in the water. I take a lot of people from many different nationalities, and the ones with the greatest rate of failure are Indians and Chinese. So much so that they have become stereotyped. I saw this in college. The school I went to has a mandatory swim test before you start freshman year. If you can't swim, you take swim class for PE your first semester. No biggie. I saw 2 folks jump in and immediately sink to the bottom. The lifeguards said it happens constantly, and the stereotypes are true. Pride>risk, I guess.
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Sep 30, 2025 11:34
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Tough day out around Santa Cruz Island on Friday, but I am happy with what I got.      
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Oct 12, 2025 18:58
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