dry suit training padi vs ssi

a203diver · Feb 15, 2004

I had a problem at my dive shop so i changed shops. The shop that im going to take a dry suit course offers both padi and ssi . Im an advaced padi diver. They let me take home both the books and after reading through i wasnt happy to learn that padi teaches to use the drysuit as a bc. My dry suit says right in the manual not to use the dry suit for buoyancy control. I havent gone back to the dive shop to asked about this yet. Did any of you take the padi dry suit specialty course? Do they teach that way? Id like to stay with padi but im not going to use my drysuit for buoyancy control if the
maufacture says not too.

BradJ · Feb 16, 2004

I took the course through an SSI shop and yes, the course material and the instructor taught to use the suit to adjust buoyancy.

Rudolf Bargholz · Feb 16, 2004

Hi a203diver,

We were also taught this way by our Padi instructor. My opinion is, it is much more sensible to use both the dry suit and the BC, i.e. add enough air to the suit to prevent squeeze and cold, and use the BC for the actual boyancy control. That way there is not as much air that moves around the suit to destabilize you, and you do not have to get rid of as much air from your suit when ascending.

Regards

Rudolf

Paul Evans · Feb 16, 2004

You should use the suit as control, its a lot easier to control than balancing the two, this is standard practise in the uk, no doubt somebody will disagree!!!, it'll be interesting to get the vet's views. :coke:

SubMariner · Feb 16, 2004

a203diver:
They let me take home both the books and after reading through i wasnt happy to learn that padi teaches to use the drysuit as a bc. My dry suit says right in the manual not to use the dry suit for buoyancy control. I

To be honest, it depends on the mfg. Yours obviously thinks it's a no-no. Other's think there's nothing wrong with it.

Let me just say this:

It's good that you are going to take a course on how to learn to use your drysuit safely & effectively. Interview Instructors to see which one shares your goals. Go with h/h.

Which method you use to control buoyancy is irrelevant. Each has it's own pros & cons. It's all a matter of preference & training: no one way is right and no one way is wrong!

Take care, eh?!

MikeS · Feb 16, 2004

Although most agencies teach using the drysuit for buoyancy most divers I know transition to using the drysuit inflator to control warmth (and eliminate squeeze) and the BC to control buoyancy. Although this does increase task loading to a degree its not that difficult with a little practice.

I wouldnt waste time worrying about it, take the class and learn the way they teach. Once youre comfortable using the suit to control buoyancy, experiment by adding just enough air to the suit to eliminate squeeze and use your BC for buoyancy. I think youll see as I did that using the BC for buoyancy reduces the instability caused by air being able to move around in the suit (i.e Mickey Mouse hands and feet).

Mike

jonnythan · Feb 16, 2004

Both the PADI and SSI books teach you to use the drysuit for buoyancy.

A good instructor may teach you otherwise, but that's unlikely.

LUBOLD8431 · Feb 16, 2004

I must be a good instructor then, because I teach to use the BC for buoyancy... not the drysuit.

jonnythan · Feb 17, 2004

LUBOLD8431:
I must be a good instructor then, because I teach to use the BC for buoyancy... not the drysuit.

I believe that you are a good instructor, for many reasons.

cyklon_300 · Feb 17, 2004

teaches you how to use the suit as you intend to dive it.

Take a pass on someone who won't do that.

dry suit training padi vs ssi

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