W W Meixner
Banned
Short background: I was first certified in 1969 (yes, i’m old). I lost my cert card many years ago and was not able to get a replacement card for various reasons. Went to an agency that supposedly searched various places to get a replacement card and actually got some bogus card from their own certification organization. So, I went to a PADI shop, but failed to get a doc sign off for asthma. Fast forward 2 years and finally got a doc to sign off on the asthma as it’s no longer an issue. All that was last fall. Did the academics and confined water dives last November and was scheduled to do the OW dives in Hawaii In January. Fell on the ice just prior to the Hawaii trip and had 9 staples in my head-didn’t do the OW dives. Started to do the OW dives locally in a lake in cold water in May, but due to a really thick wet suit and an odd body was not able to keep the 40 pound weight belt on, eventually losing it in 15 feet of water. Was not able to recover it and join the dive.
Am again scheduled to go to HI again in October and will be within the 12 month period for the referral program. Went back to the LDS to get a pool dive in before then, but don’t seem to be getting any cooperation from them (probably fed up with me). The fee for the referral dive on Maui is $375, plus what I’ve already paid out is making the whole deal a bit cost prohibitive. After all this hassle, I’m now asking myself if it’s worth the bother, especially if I can’t get in a pool session before Hawaii. Has anyone else had a similar test getting certified and was it worth it?
Thanks!
MJS...
I'm not young either...if your profile avatar is your birth year you have only three years on me...my weight hovers between 180/185 pounds...6' 3''...
40 pounds of ballast is far too much...unless you are very overweight...with a steel cylinder...100 cu ft as an example...you should have no problem sinking a 7mm suit/5mm hood/5mm gloves/5mm boots...with no more than 20 pounds of ballast...
Another note..if your waist line is your largest body circumference...you should not be wearing a waist belt...unless it is supported by suspenders...wear integrated weight pockets...and either a modular or static weight pocket integrated BCD system...if you do manage to get to depth and loose your belt...you will be in an immediate un-controlled ascent situation...
With the exposure protection I have mentioned...I would go into the water with two 6...and two 2 pound trim weights...I prefer soft shot packs...16 pounds total...my dive partner would only be using 12 pounds with the same exposure protection...
Your former instructor(s) have been very badly neglecting the fine art of getting you neutral...It's been said many times...scuba diving is 90% peak performance buoyancy...and 10% everything else...
I dive regularly with a feather-light rebreather...dry-suit...20 pounds of shot pack ballast...
Not unlike myself...your at a stage in your life where want out-strips need...
If there is a want...there is a way...as long as you stay safe...
The very best...
Warren