OP
ginge
Registered
Wow.
A lot of great information coming in.
I am going to try to address it all now.
Somebody asked about my current setup.
I had an old Buddy BCD which I got in 2000 (ish) - I actually learned with a horseshoe - but when I decided to do more UK diving I got a load of second hand stuff for evaluation.
I bought a Backplate and wing and fitted my old Atomics SS1 to it, I actually quite like that but I'm not militant about it.
I tried a 7mm semi-dry (absolutely hated that, restricted my movement too much).
I tried a 5mm with a 5mm shorty on top (hated that too).
I got a used trilam drysuit for £35 to do the course in and see if I liked it.
I get on OK with the dry suit but like I said, I am still learning to sort my buoyancy in it.
I have deliberately avoided using ankle weights even though my fins are slightly +ve, quite right W Ripley, I always saw them as a kit solution to a training/experience problem.
Having now done a few dives dry (mostly dry, my zip leaks) I have taken the plunge and ordered a White's Fusion drysuit.
I also ordered the Thermal fusion undersuit after a local diver kindly let me use his and it laughed in the face of my conventional undersuit.
I have read about the "balanced rig" and I can swim up my current kit without dropping any weight, however currently all my weight is on my backplate and in my Custom Diver's quick release weight pouches.
The problem is that if I took off the wing to detangle myself I'd shoot up.
Now the answer to my question is different depending on whether I go back or side mounted.
If I go back mounted I will get a low profile harness to wear under the wing and weight it with just enough weight to be neutral in a squeezed dry suit.
The rest of my weight can go on the backplate.
If I go side mount then I will have to come up with something else.
Johanan - than you for the links.
I will look into that, I'm not sure I'll be able to do a course this holiday since I have just paid for a new dry suit
but if I can and the long-haired colonel allows it (her holiday too) I will definitely give it a chance.
I understand what you said about the sidemount course making you a better solo diver but there are few enough places one can solo dive here and almost all that I have heard about require certification so I will eventually have to do the SDI course regardless.
Devon diver, thank you for all the input, especially the photos. Your rig looks really clean - something to aspire to.
I think what I'll do is go on holiday, come home, do another couple of dozen dives to get happy in the dry suit and see about a sidemount course, preferably one where I can use the instructor's kit.
Try out a few different configurations (if possible) and see how I feel.
I can see in my head exactly how my ideal twin independent backmount rig would look, until I can do the same with sidemount I am not in a position to choose.
Hopefully I can have my mind made up in time for Scapa next year.
Once again, thanks everyone.
A lot of great information coming in.
I am going to try to address it all now.
Somebody asked about my current setup.
I had an old Buddy BCD which I got in 2000 (ish) - I actually learned with a horseshoe - but when I decided to do more UK diving I got a load of second hand stuff for evaluation.
I bought a Backplate and wing and fitted my old Atomics SS1 to it, I actually quite like that but I'm not militant about it.
I tried a 7mm semi-dry (absolutely hated that, restricted my movement too much).
I tried a 5mm with a 5mm shorty on top (hated that too).
I got a used trilam drysuit for £35 to do the course in and see if I liked it.
I get on OK with the dry suit but like I said, I am still learning to sort my buoyancy in it.
I have deliberately avoided using ankle weights even though my fins are slightly +ve, quite right W Ripley, I always saw them as a kit solution to a training/experience problem.
Having now done a few dives dry (mostly dry, my zip leaks) I have taken the plunge and ordered a White's Fusion drysuit.
I also ordered the Thermal fusion undersuit after a local diver kindly let me use his and it laughed in the face of my conventional undersuit.
I have read about the "balanced rig" and I can swim up my current kit without dropping any weight, however currently all my weight is on my backplate and in my Custom Diver's quick release weight pouches.
The problem is that if I took off the wing to detangle myself I'd shoot up.
Now the answer to my question is different depending on whether I go back or side mounted.
If I go back mounted I will get a low profile harness to wear under the wing and weight it with just enough weight to be neutral in a squeezed dry suit.
The rest of my weight can go on the backplate.
If I go side mount then I will have to come up with something else.
Johanan - than you for the links.
I will look into that, I'm not sure I'll be able to do a course this holiday since I have just paid for a new dry suit
but if I can and the long-haired colonel allows it (her holiday too) I will definitely give it a chance.I understand what you said about the sidemount course making you a better solo diver but there are few enough places one can solo dive here and almost all that I have heard about require certification so I will eventually have to do the SDI course regardless.
Devon diver, thank you for all the input, especially the photos. Your rig looks really clean - something to aspire to.
I think what I'll do is go on holiday, come home, do another couple of dozen dives to get happy in the dry suit and see about a sidemount course, preferably one where I can use the instructor's kit.
Try out a few different configurations (if possible) and see how I feel.
I can see in my head exactly how my ideal twin independent backmount rig would look, until I can do the same with sidemount I am not in a position to choose.
Hopefully I can have my mind made up in time for Scapa next year.
Once again, thanks everyone.
