Fundies kicked my a$$

[aquaregia]

I don't think the problem of two shoulder d-rings is entanglement. I can see clutter and muscle memory issues and the ability to trap gear (restow backup light on top ring, getting stage clips stuck, etc), and I'm not entirely sure what the advantages of two are. Keeping the DPV ring fits with the paradigm of standard rigs (although they did formerly stow it backwards when no DPV was used right?).

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I don't think the problem of two shoulder d-rings is entanglement. I can see clutter and muscle memory issues and the ability to trap gear (restow backup light on top ring, getting stage clips stuck, etc), and I'm not entirely sure what the advantages of two are. Keeping the DPV ring fits with the paradigm of standard rigs (although they did formerly stow it backwards when no DPV was used right?).

Having just gone from diving the simplified Hog rig for the past seven years to a Dive-Rite Nomad (that has THREE D-rings on each side), that whole muscle-memory thing does come into play. On the other hand, I see it as more of a temporary inconvenience than anything else. I may, at some point, decide to take a couple of those D-rings off ... after I've got enough dives on the rig to decide whether or not I have a legitimate reason for them to be there.

Entanglement hazard? I don't think so ... folks I know dive this rig through some cave sections that'd give most folks nightmares just thinking about ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TSandM]

Did the instructor really say the D-rings were an entanglement hazard? Hmm. I would think the far larger problem would be just getting confused about which ring held what, and getting things cross-clipped or blocking one another. When you add that to the fact that two rings are not necessary (and I can prove that -- look at the video of the guys who just did the Atlanta project. You can hardly get in the water with more gear than they had, and I'm quite certain they only had one on each harness strap) you're looking at an equipment change that doesn't offer any significant benefit and has potential to cause problems. Therefore, we don't do it.

 

[iztok]

Do you have a link to the video of guys in Atlanta project?

 

[leabre]

Do you have a link to the video of guys in Atlanta project?

http://www.facebook.com/v/10150275153669813


Please note, I am unable to locate it anywhere else. It was originally posted to a facebook account by an expedition team member. If you don't have a facebook account you may not be able to view it.

[Edit] I set up the link so it should be viewable by non-facebook members (at least, I logged out and this new link went through and the original link did not).

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

... and for those of us who don't do Facebook ???

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Rainer]

They've only really released some sneak-peek shots on FB. They're working on a report which will be out later (including a documentary later in the year).

 

[Crush]

I was PM'd on my opinion of Fundies in warm water vs. cold, tech vs rec. FWIW, here are my thoughts posted for all to see.

I personally believe in the "train as you fight" paradigm, so I chose to take Fundies in very cold water as my local dives are cold. I am now diving warm water and believe that many of the requisite skills are an order of magnitude easier/less frustrating in warm water where buoyancy changes are smaller and thermal protection is not as encumbering. Personal note: I am diving in the Red Sea right now and find that buoyancy control is WAY easier in a 3mm suit. That being said, skills can be learned in warm water and then practiced in cold water.

When taking Fundies you have to state on day 1 whether you are going for a tech pass or a rec pass - you can't fail the tech pass and ask for a rec pass instead. I have read on SB where Fundies instructors indicate that one of the most common errors which contribute to failing Fundies is to try to get a tech pass in doubles with limited doubles experience. Since I don't own doubles, training as I dive meant singles which meant a rec pass. Further, I don't know if my tolerances were within the tech pass range.

 

[gsk3]

When taking Fundies you have to state on day 1 whether you are going for a tech pass or a rec pass - you can't fail the tech pass and ask for a rec pass instead.

I'm pretty sure this is not in the standards. It's probably not a terrible idea (in that in the long run it will do a lot to avoid people thinking of a rec pass as a much lower standard rather than something that you go for if you want to dive singles), but this is the first time I've heard of an instructor doing it.

 

[Crush]

I was asked on day 1 which I was seeking - rec or tech. Perhaps the inability to switch was my supposition...