AevnsGrandpa
Contributor
This last weekend I participated in a DUI DEMO days at Pearl Lake in South Beloit, Illinois. I have never tried a dry suit before so I wanted to go up (3.5 hours drive time from home) and see what it was like.
First I have to say that Faith and the others from DUI really have this down to an art. You first check in, fill out the waiver and someone from DUI takes you and walks you through the various racks they have set up in order to help you pick out everything. The gentleman (we had Quincy) fully explained the differences in the undergarments, then the dry suits. We grab what all he thought would fit me best and continued on to a large area on a tarp with chairs so you can get everything on.
Greatfully this is under 2 large tents. I would not want to struggle into everything in the hot direct sunlight.
He then talked myself and the 2 friends who were with me through the process of putting everything on. To me it can be quite a complicated affair. I guess once you are used to it, it's no big deal. With the help of some pushing and soapy water I got it all on. I really enjoyed the freedom of movement in the dry suit. I first tried the TLS350 and the Polartec 300. After we got it all on we walked down to the water and waded in and put on our other equipment. They had us get that all ready and leave next to the shore so it was ready. Had to put on an extra 6 lbs, per their recomendations.
At this point vollenteers from local dive shops who were DUI dealers took 1-2 people out at a time after a very basic explaination of the suit and what to do. I was way heavy at first and finally got myself neutral. After this it was a blast. The squeeze was quite interesting and I put a small amount of air in the suit to help that. I managed my buoyency with my BC. We went around for 35 minutes, down to about 35 feet and the water temp was 59. I felt cool to cold but it was managable. A way different feeling than being in 59 degree water and wet.
After lunch, which they provided, I tried the CLS450 and the same under garments. I don't know if it was the size of suit or the suit itself, went from a L to a XL, but the 450 felt better on me. Another good dive, but I used up my air fast because of a small leak on my mask which I had to keep clearing.
I would recomend this to any diver who has not tried a dry suit. That you will end up getting one or even a DUI, but it is a good experience. I personally will start saving up to buy one. One of my friends hated it because of the squeeze. Another nice thing about it was there was no mention of buy this or would you like contacted etc. Just try the suit out and go.
Kudo's to DUI for doing this. I know they are in it for the sales, but the way they are going it is excellent!
Jeff
First I have to say that Faith and the others from DUI really have this down to an art. You first check in, fill out the waiver and someone from DUI takes you and walks you through the various racks they have set up in order to help you pick out everything. The gentleman (we had Quincy) fully explained the differences in the undergarments, then the dry suits. We grab what all he thought would fit me best and continued on to a large area on a tarp with chairs so you can get everything on.
Greatfully this is under 2 large tents. I would not want to struggle into everything in the hot direct sunlight.
He then talked myself and the 2 friends who were with me through the process of putting everything on. To me it can be quite a complicated affair. I guess once you are used to it, it's no big deal. With the help of some pushing and soapy water I got it all on. I really enjoyed the freedom of movement in the dry suit. I first tried the TLS350 and the Polartec 300. After we got it all on we walked down to the water and waded in and put on our other equipment. They had us get that all ready and leave next to the shore so it was ready. Had to put on an extra 6 lbs, per their recomendations.
At this point vollenteers from local dive shops who were DUI dealers took 1-2 people out at a time after a very basic explaination of the suit and what to do. I was way heavy at first and finally got myself neutral. After this it was a blast. The squeeze was quite interesting and I put a small amount of air in the suit to help that. I managed my buoyency with my BC. We went around for 35 minutes, down to about 35 feet and the water temp was 59. I felt cool to cold but it was managable. A way different feeling than being in 59 degree water and wet.
After lunch, which they provided, I tried the CLS450 and the same under garments. I don't know if it was the size of suit or the suit itself, went from a L to a XL, but the 450 felt better on me. Another good dive, but I used up my air fast because of a small leak on my mask which I had to keep clearing.
I would recomend this to any diver who has not tried a dry suit. That you will end up getting one or even a DUI, but it is a good experience. I personally will start saving up to buy one. One of my friends hated it because of the squeeze. Another nice thing about it was there was no mention of buy this or would you like contacted etc. Just try the suit out and go.
Kudo's to DUI for doing this. I know they are in it for the sales, but the way they are going it is excellent!
Jeff
