Tanked Monkey
Contributor
This is my first post to the DIR forum. I don't know a single other person who is DIR inclined, otherwise I would ask them about it. I have just signed up for Fundamentals in the end of June, in Dutch Springs, PA. I am currently diving BP+W (DiveRite SS BP, OMS 35lb wing), Apeks ATX50 primary on a 7' long hose, Apeks AT20 on the bungee. I have 45 dives under my belt, and am AOW certified through SDI. I would eventually like to get into cave diving, but I realize that is a long term goal, so DIR-F is a good place to start. My question is about the "shooting a bag" part of the course.
I would like advice as to which reel and lift bag to purchase, and from where. The requirement from GUE's website is only "One spool with 100 feet/30 meters of line per diver". Of course, I would like to buy equipment correctly the first time, so I don't duplicate purchases because I didn't think it through properly. I believe buying correctly the first time is the best way to keep costs down.
Reel: I have heard that a finger spool is acceptable, but my LDS (an SDI/TDI shop) only stocks DiveRite fingerspools, and only have a 50'. Because of that, I am looking elsewhere. I guess a finger spool would be the best for me in my current diving, as it does not take up too much room. The requirement is 100' of line, and I figure 100'-150' would be most versatile. Do you have any fingerspool recommendations for me to go to?
SMB: I have heard 2 schools of thought about purchasing a sausage, or lift bag. I already have a cheap-o sausage, which is basically a very long plastic bag: pretty much useless. A real sausage will be more useful for me right now, but a lift bag may be more useful in the future for safety hangs. I'm shying away from 100lb lift bags, as I think they amay be overkill for my application. So I was thinking either a 50lb bag, or small safety sausage that I can attach to the line. If sausage is the way to go, should I look for an orally inflated one, or open bottom for a reg?
Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to it, and have been working on my skills for the class. Of course, I'm will not attempt shooting a bag without someone else trained in this skill, as I don't want to get wrapped up in the line, etc. I even have the backwards kick down with my Quattro's (albeit only 4-5 feet backwards, but that's a start). I'm about to buy a pair of Jets or Turtles to make it better (my LDS doesn't sell these fins either). If I fail the class, I want it to be because of my skills, not my equipment.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
I would like advice as to which reel and lift bag to purchase, and from where. The requirement from GUE's website is only "One spool with 100 feet/30 meters of line per diver". Of course, I would like to buy equipment correctly the first time, so I don't duplicate purchases because I didn't think it through properly. I believe buying correctly the first time is the best way to keep costs down.
Reel: I have heard that a finger spool is acceptable, but my LDS (an SDI/TDI shop) only stocks DiveRite fingerspools, and only have a 50'. Because of that, I am looking elsewhere. I guess a finger spool would be the best for me in my current diving, as it does not take up too much room. The requirement is 100' of line, and I figure 100'-150' would be most versatile. Do you have any fingerspool recommendations for me to go to?
SMB: I have heard 2 schools of thought about purchasing a sausage, or lift bag. I already have a cheap-o sausage, which is basically a very long plastic bag: pretty much useless. A real sausage will be more useful for me right now, but a lift bag may be more useful in the future for safety hangs. I'm shying away from 100lb lift bags, as I think they amay be overkill for my application. So I was thinking either a 50lb bag, or small safety sausage that I can attach to the line. If sausage is the way to go, should I look for an orally inflated one, or open bottom for a reg?
Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to it, and have been working on my skills for the class. Of course, I'm will not attempt shooting a bag without someone else trained in this skill, as I don't want to get wrapped up in the line, etc. I even have the backwards kick down with my Quattro's (albeit only 4-5 feet backwards, but that's a start). I'm about to buy a pair of Jets or Turtles to make it better (my LDS doesn't sell these fins either). If I fail the class, I want it to be because of my skills, not my equipment.
Thanks in advance,
Mike