TN-Steve
Contributor
Hey Gang,
My Whites Fusion DS came in a couple of weeks ago, and now that I've got a couple of training dives under my belt with it, I have to say that I like it.
I found that donning it is super easy, time wise about the same it's about the same as my 5mm jumpsuit, but a lot easier. The entire process from start to finish might be a bit longer due to getting the undergarments on, but that is still just a couple of minutes. I do see how in a warm weather / cold water scenario (Like the local quarries), you wouldn't want to get geared up too soon, it does get hot.
Pouring a bit of water into the suit to cool off isn't an option like a wetsuit.
As for diving, PADI teaches that for general REC diving that you only use the BC on the surface, all your "dive-time" buoyancy adjustments are done with the suit. They do acknowledge that for TEC diving that isn't the way you do it, but for general rec, use the suit.
I didn't have much of a problem adjusting buoyancy once I got in, just had to remind myself to NOT use the BC inflator button. Bit of a problem getting used to 'raise the shoulder' to dump air, but that action wasn't hard, just a new motor pattern. I found that doing kind of a "Chicken Wing" with my left arm worked well.
The "air in feet" exercises were interesting. Instructor explained the process on land, did sort of a 'finger demo' in the air, and off we went. He demoed underwater, then I stood on my head on the platform. Even with the fusion (which I understand does a good job of air management) I could feel my feet get lighter and started to feel like I was "floaty". NOT A GOOD FEELING! A couple of good strong kicks and I was level and on my back, then a quick roll and I was back level and correctly oriented. I have to admit that I was disoriented a bit the first time, just wasn't quite sure where I was in the water ref where I had started, but a couple more reps and I was feeling good with it. Definitely a skill that I want to practice more.
We dropped down to 60 feet or so, (and that's where it starts getting really chilly at the quarry), I was feeling good. After a few minutes we came back up, and I had no problems holding a stop at 15 for the exercise on breathing off an alt. air source. In our case it was a pony tank hung at 15, and I learned to make sure the valve is turned on BEFORE you try breathing from it.
Still sorting out undergarments, I've got an old set of my army PolyPros, probably about 150 gm when new, and a bit worse for the wear now, maybe effectively 100 grams. Also have a 200 gram Thinsulate jumpsuit with a fleece lining that I haven't used yet. For my feet I had a pair of very heavy fluffy "-40 deg" wool socks. Boots are the Whites Fusions that velcro onto the bottom of the suit.
With the socks and boots my feet still fit easily into my fins, and didn't feel cramped. One of the folks in the club suggested Neoprene socks, my question is, do they go on first, then the wool socks?, or just instead of the wool socks?
Still getting the details sorted out, but my first couple of dives have been promising. It will get a test this saturday, I'm going to help do a 'scavenger hunt' where we do the giant stride at one of the quarries, see what masks/ fins / odds and ends we can find down there. Going to be more than a bit brisk, so it will be a good test.
Any advice, tips and tricks for me in general.
Thanks,
Steve
My Whites Fusion DS came in a couple of weeks ago, and now that I've got a couple of training dives under my belt with it, I have to say that I like it.
I found that donning it is super easy, time wise about the same it's about the same as my 5mm jumpsuit, but a lot easier. The entire process from start to finish might be a bit longer due to getting the undergarments on, but that is still just a couple of minutes. I do see how in a warm weather / cold water scenario (Like the local quarries), you wouldn't want to get geared up too soon, it does get hot.
Pouring a bit of water into the suit to cool off isn't an option like a wetsuit.As for diving, PADI teaches that for general REC diving that you only use the BC on the surface, all your "dive-time" buoyancy adjustments are done with the suit. They do acknowledge that for TEC diving that isn't the way you do it, but for general rec, use the suit.
I didn't have much of a problem adjusting buoyancy once I got in, just had to remind myself to NOT use the BC inflator button. Bit of a problem getting used to 'raise the shoulder' to dump air, but that action wasn't hard, just a new motor pattern. I found that doing kind of a "Chicken Wing" with my left arm worked well.
The "air in feet" exercises were interesting. Instructor explained the process on land, did sort of a 'finger demo' in the air, and off we went. He demoed underwater, then I stood on my head on the platform. Even with the fusion (which I understand does a good job of air management) I could feel my feet get lighter and started to feel like I was "floaty". NOT A GOOD FEELING! A couple of good strong kicks and I was level and on my back, then a quick roll and I was back level and correctly oriented. I have to admit that I was disoriented a bit the first time, just wasn't quite sure where I was in the water ref where I had started, but a couple more reps and I was feeling good with it. Definitely a skill that I want to practice more.
We dropped down to 60 feet or so, (and that's where it starts getting really chilly at the quarry), I was feeling good. After a few minutes we came back up, and I had no problems holding a stop at 15 for the exercise on breathing off an alt. air source. In our case it was a pony tank hung at 15, and I learned to make sure the valve is turned on BEFORE you try breathing from it.
Still sorting out undergarments, I've got an old set of my army PolyPros, probably about 150 gm when new, and a bit worse for the wear now, maybe effectively 100 grams. Also have a 200 gram Thinsulate jumpsuit with a fleece lining that I haven't used yet. For my feet I had a pair of very heavy fluffy "-40 deg" wool socks. Boots are the Whites Fusions that velcro onto the bottom of the suit.
With the socks and boots my feet still fit easily into my fins, and didn't feel cramped. One of the folks in the club suggested Neoprene socks, my question is, do they go on first, then the wool socks?, or just instead of the wool socks?
Still getting the details sorted out, but my first couple of dives have been promising. It will get a test this saturday, I'm going to help do a 'scavenger hunt' where we do the giant stride at one of the quarries, see what masks/ fins / odds and ends we can find down there. Going to be more than a bit brisk, so it will be a good test.
Any advice, tips and tricks for me in general.
Thanks,
Steve
