Here is an update on our diving equipment and progress.
First of all, I have completed all of the skills work, and I am ready for the open water dives now, but Debbie is plugging along, building confidence and slowly but surely becoming accustomed to diving. One more week before we go to Fiji, and if she is not ready for open water, then she will do some resort dives (I think that is what it's called), while I do the open water dives. We have decided to go back to Fiji again in February'04 with two other couples.
I love my dive computer (Uwatec pro com) even though it is a console. I love the fact that it is so simple to use... in fact, I don't have to do anything for the recreational diving that I do. It turns itself on/off automatically, and requires absolutely no button pushes. The display is huge, easy to read/understand, has a replacable face protector, and I really like the air integration. I can see my progress in breathing as I get more and more used to diving in the pool, and the "lung" alerts have decreased considerably. I find the alerts a good reminder to slow down my breathing, and to relax. What I love the best is downloading the data to my laptop. The machine samples every 4 seconds, so I can see and analyze each breath if I wanted to (not that I do). In addition to the dive profile, the software recreates an exact duplicate of the computer's display on the laptop, and I can step through my entire dive, 4 seconds at a time and view exactly what my computer showed. I know that there is a huge preference toward Suunto on this board, and I am sure that you all have good reasons, but IMHO, the Uwatec SmartCom is unbeleivable. I think the simplicity is its best feature. I will probably prefer a wrist mount over console over time. Once Uwatec comes out with a smart-com writstmount w/wireless IA, then I will probably get one and sell the smart com on ebay. In the mean time, I think it is the perfect computer for us. Debbie also enjoys analyzing her dives... and when the computer profile shows up bright red... she talks through why she got nervous at that particular part of the dive.
Regarding the AIR2, I can't imagine that a 2nd source could be simpler to use. It is right there next to my mouth all of the time, and at least in the pool, it breathes extremely easily. I have been switching back and forth between my primary (MK25/S600) and the Air2 without effort... and for buddy air sharing, I have been donating my primary to my buddy, and then just slipping the air2 into my mouth. There is absolutely no issues with inflating or deflating the BC while using the Air2, since I have been using the shoulder dumps anyway. You can easily inflate the BC using the power inflate while breathing through the Air2, or you can inflate using your exhaled air since the regulator is already in your mouth. About the only negative that I can see, is that it does restrict head movement a bit since the hose is so short and stiff. It has not seemed like a major issue to me. Finally, I confirmed that the Air2 is less expensive than getting an independent second stage. When ordered already installed on the BC, it added $75 to the cost of the BC, which is cheaper than a traditional octopus.
Huge advantage on switching to the Henderson Hyperstretch suit. Thanks for all the input.
I mounted a UK Remora knife on our console hose... it seems to work just fine there. For now, I have no plans on getting us any larger knives. I read on the board that 'smaller is better". I might move the knives to a BC mount at some point.
I am not sure what a safetly saugsage is... and I keep forgetting to ask my instructor. Any input?
Pelican case is pretty awesome... Its hard to imagine a better case for shipping the dive gear as checked luggage. We have mesh duffles for use to/from dives.
SP regulator is smooth and easy to breath. I did put 360 degree swivels on 2nd stage. I know there is some controversy on that, but it makes it more comfortable in the mouth because the hose does not pull.
I am debating if I should buy a light or not before our trip. I doubt that we will do night dives... but i don't know for sure. I am postive that I want disposal alkaline batteries since we will only be going on a few dive trips/year, and I do not want to deal with the "care and feeding" that rechargeables require. Will I even need a light in Fiji? If I buy a light, should I just spend the extra money now and get a HID rather than a halogen? I was thinking that a UK light cannon might be a good choice since I have no interest in ever doing this more than at a recreational level.
One last thought... I think that Debbie and I having the exact same equipment is a plus. We are fully aware of each other's equipment, and we talk ourselves through each step of setup/teardown as well as maintenance and familiarity in an emergency. At least for a husband/wife team doing recreational only diving... I recommend it.
Thanks again for all of the input... this board is awesome!
/Jim
We had a great time in Fiji, and while it was a struggle for Debbie to get certified... we did make it 
