Luke Marquardt
New
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
Hello. First post here. Looks quite active. Im not so much into introductions- lets get to it..
So I have been a freediver in alaska for 4 years. I wore a 7/5 mm wetsuit for 3 years then upgraded to a 7mm custom tailored wetsuit with a 5mm vest and hood. The new suit is plenty warm in the summer, late fall, and early winter.
I decided to make my diving passion a business. I decided I had to go scuba to do some jobs (recovering 300lb brass props out of the mud isnt much fun as a freediver). I was given a grant to buy gear and training.
I completed the training, which, for the basics is a 15 day long course (supposedly alaska is one of the most challenging places in the world to dive so the training reflects that). We dove in brand new DUI gear.
I was unimpressed. But the grant writers want me to dive in a dry suit. As a freediver I enjoy... well.. freedom. I feel like I am part of the water, moving gracefully and swiftly through it. It is magical. Sometimes it really feels like I become a creature of the sea.
With the scuba gear on the other hand, I was lumbering, slow, clumsy. I was not part of the water, just a human artificially kept alive by technology blumbering in a strange world. I was very annoyed how easily the air would pool in my feet/legs if I tried any kind of fun movement. It was not lost on me how extremely dangerous it could be to have air get trapped in my feet and have an uncontrolled ascent. I dont understand how suits could be designed with such an obvious flaw. On top of that, I felt the suit failed where it was suppose to be superior: I was not warm. In fact, I only noticed a tiny warmth improvement over my wetsuit. I was told by the instructors that is because I was not using as much energy as when I freedive, and not spending time on the surface. Half the class was cold. One guy had to quit even. And thats with the supposedly best gear.
As an innovator obvious design flaws drive me up the wall:cussing:! phew.. anyways..
The advice I am looking for is this:
I am looking for a full suit of gear (minus fins/mask) for water temps 35-50 degrees.
I it to be streamline close fitting and flexible. So I can retain some level of grace.
And be resistant to air bubbles. With a fast purge valve if possible.
The grant writers want the whole set to be under $5000
If you have any advice on any of that I would love to hear it. I'm eager to finish this equipment list and take my business to the next level.
So I have been a freediver in alaska for 4 years. I wore a 7/5 mm wetsuit for 3 years then upgraded to a 7mm custom tailored wetsuit with a 5mm vest and hood. The new suit is plenty warm in the summer, late fall, and early winter.
I decided to make my diving passion a business. I decided I had to go scuba to do some jobs (recovering 300lb brass props out of the mud isnt much fun as a freediver). I was given a grant to buy gear and training.
I completed the training, which, for the basics is a 15 day long course (supposedly alaska is one of the most challenging places in the world to dive so the training reflects that). We dove in brand new DUI gear.
I was unimpressed. But the grant writers want me to dive in a dry suit. As a freediver I enjoy... well.. freedom. I feel like I am part of the water, moving gracefully and swiftly through it. It is magical. Sometimes it really feels like I become a creature of the sea.
With the scuba gear on the other hand, I was lumbering, slow, clumsy. I was not part of the water, just a human artificially kept alive by technology blumbering in a strange world. I was very annoyed how easily the air would pool in my feet/legs if I tried any kind of fun movement. It was not lost on me how extremely dangerous it could be to have air get trapped in my feet and have an uncontrolled ascent. I dont understand how suits could be designed with such an obvious flaw. On top of that, I felt the suit failed where it was suppose to be superior: I was not warm. In fact, I only noticed a tiny warmth improvement over my wetsuit. I was told by the instructors that is because I was not using as much energy as when I freedive, and not spending time on the surface. Half the class was cold. One guy had to quit even. And thats with the supposedly best gear.
As an innovator obvious design flaws drive me up the wall:cussing:! phew.. anyways..
The advice I am looking for is this:
I am looking for a full suit of gear (minus fins/mask) for water temps 35-50 degrees.
I it to be streamline close fitting and flexible. So I can retain some level of grace.
And be resistant to air bubbles. With a fast purge valve if possible.
The grant writers want the whole set to be under $5000
If you have any advice on any of that I would love to hear it. I'm eager to finish this equipment list and take my business to the next level.