dkatchalov
Contributor
Ok, some stats on me first: new OW diver, 20 logged dives, never dived DS before, feel comfortable and safe in the water, been down to 23m (yes, I am a bad boy, I know).
Just got a Pinnacle Evo 2 DS (trilam). The PADI DS specialty course will not run for another 2 weeks. I don't want to break my diving pattern and wait. I have already signed up for the DS course and have the book and have read it.
I intend to practise DS diving first in the pool tonight (2.1 meters) then under the local pier on the weekend (5 meters). Then, IF I feel comfortable with the whole thing, I want to do two OW boat dives (about 18m each).
I feel fairly comfortable with DS skills (in theory) and have read a fair bit on handling emergencies. I will also practise these emergency skills in my pool and pier dives. If at any point I feel unsafe in my drysuit, I will not do the boat dives and will wait to do my DS course.
Does anyone think this is dangerous? Has anyone dived a DS for the first time WITHOUT the DS course first? Any specific tips for me to stay out of trouble?
Thanks.
P.S. I am not too impressed with the PADI DS course anyway. In the book it says you have to use your DS only to control your buoyancy and not your BC. This just seems plain wrong to me and I don't want to learn bad habits and have to pay $$$ for it. Yes I know some ppl will say using your DC for buoyancy control is fine, but I disagree, it just doesn't make sense from a drag/streamlining perspective.
Just got a Pinnacle Evo 2 DS (trilam). The PADI DS specialty course will not run for another 2 weeks. I don't want to break my diving pattern and wait. I have already signed up for the DS course and have the book and have read it.
I intend to practise DS diving first in the pool tonight (2.1 meters) then under the local pier on the weekend (5 meters). Then, IF I feel comfortable with the whole thing, I want to do two OW boat dives (about 18m each).
I feel fairly comfortable with DS skills (in theory) and have read a fair bit on handling emergencies. I will also practise these emergency skills in my pool and pier dives. If at any point I feel unsafe in my drysuit, I will not do the boat dives and will wait to do my DS course.
Does anyone think this is dangerous? Has anyone dived a DS for the first time WITHOUT the DS course first? Any specific tips for me to stay out of trouble?
Thanks.
P.S. I am not too impressed with the PADI DS course anyway. In the book it says you have to use your DS only to control your buoyancy and not your BC. This just seems plain wrong to me and I don't want to learn bad habits and have to pay $$$ for it. Yes I know some ppl will say using your DC for buoyancy control is fine, but I disagree, it just doesn't make sense from a drag/streamlining perspective.