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Has anyone seen or heard of the Santi Smart glove rings being/getting warped? I've got one ring that does not sit flat on a table. When I try to install a glove on it, the o-ring does not hold it in place and constantly slips off. I've tried many different gloves (including Santi's glove) and...

+1 for Jill. If you're looking to learn, she's one of the best.

Dan is a great guy. Took my cave training with him. Don't think he is one for the political drama that goes on.

I'm selling my L&M Sola 800 video light. Some light wear on the body. Glass has no scratches. Battery holds a great charge. Included are: charger, Loc-Line/Flex Arm including bases. Light is in great shape and works well. I have just moved on. Asking $250 shipped to USCON. PM if interested.

Getting back to the original issue. I think the root cause the OP had was the overall lack of comfort in the water. 1) Not being comfortable with the reg out of the mouth, 2) not being comfortable with the equipment and 3) not being comfortable with the gas switch procedures. The arguments about...

When diving a stage with the valve fully open, you run the risk of a free flow draining the bottle and you may not know it. Become proficient with the stage and its switching orocedures and you won't need to worry about leaving it open.

Lake Michigan wreck diving season has begun. It's time to think about a few things when diving on shipwrecks. I will be giving a presentation for the Chicago Scuba Meetup dive club on wreck diving techniques for recreational divers. In this presentation, I will talk about equipment...

I agree with the others. If you don't want to go down the pro route, then save your money. Or you can spend it on an Intro to Tech or Fundies class that is targeted to making you a better diver.

I guess I'm lucky. After ditching most of the gear I initially bought, I've been very happy with the gear that replaced it. I haven't had to upgrade or replace anything in the past 6-7 years. Of course, the money I saved by not upgrading/replace allowed me to buy even more of the same gear...

I'd love to. But I've got that stupid work thing.

While the frog kick is primarily an anti-silting kick, it does have some uses in the recreational world. For example, having a good frog kick allows you to get close to something to take pictures or video without damaging the marine environment. Even if one decides not to utilize a frog kick...

Jeff was high on my list when I was looking for a cave instructor. I eventually went with Dan Patterson. Dan's teaching style really went well with my learning style (very hands-on and less lecture) and learned quite a bit. Definitely make sure you take the time and talk to as many instructors...

I believe that if someone received a great education, combined with some good experience, then the Master Scuba Diver rating is a good one. I think the negativity associated with the MSD rating is when people rush through one class after another without focusing on the education or getting the...

I once had an instructor "lecture" me about teaching recreational classes in doubles. He claimed that I wouldn't be allowed to keep up with my students as they swam all over the quarry. I replied, in a humorous tone, that I don't have to chase my students all over the place. He didn't think I...

I wouldn't take another course just to practice. It sounds like you need to find some buddies that are willing to work with you. I've spent many times in the water just hovering with people. Trim, propulsion and buoyancy control are something you should focus on every dive. I've found the best...

For surface conditions, April, May, September, & October will give you the "not hot" surface conditions. However, those months are also very finicky in terms of lake conditions. We get blown out many times in those months. For water clarity, the colder the better. We've done dives in Lake...

I would have liked my OW instructor to spend more time on buoyancy and at least talked about trim. I have been finding that many of my students have simply found that more time in the water to increase their comfort level helps immensely.

I have their rebreather materials. Pictures show "Advanced" rebreather divers holding onto the upline for buoyancy control. Not really "demonstration" quality of you ask me.

No. Every instructor has strengths and weaknesses. Their teaching strengths may not match up with a students learning style. Therefore, you may not learn as well with an "elite" instructor, but may learn very well from someone on the non-"elite" list.

I"m also starting my cave training after years of technical wreck diving. My decision was so I could dive more during the winter. We are pretty much land locked during the winter here in Chicago.