Rollin Bonz
*insert catchy phrase here*
- Messages
- 769
- Reaction score
- 728
- # of dives
- 500 - 999
I've been diving SM with no formal training for about 6 months. I do, however, have a regular dive buddy that has been diving SM for the last 2 years. I watched and learned as he learned and became proficient his first year and 1/2. He has been good enough to help get me set up, show me the ropes, and mentor me for the last 6 months. Without his help and insight, I'm not sure I could have found my way.
Most of my diving is quarry. 5mm wetsuit June through August, drysuit the rest of the year. I have done a bit of warm water diving in SM. Dove a 3mm with adjustments only to the weighting.
I started and continue to dive AL80s on the regular. 18 to 20 pounds of lead in a harness with drysuit. 8 to 10 pounds in a 5mm. I've been trying out steels off and on, but haven't used them consistently enough to get properly adjusted or decide if I like them. In fact, yesterday was the first day I dove my "normal" setup in a while. It was 30 degrees and windy on the surface, and I didn't feel like playing around with my setup, so I went with my standard weighting and tanks (AL80s). Diving solo, dropped to max depth, followed the wall around riding about a 12 minute NDL up to 60 feet. It was Zen like. I may never try tweaking my setup again.
One thing to consider is further training. I've been thinking of taking some tech training this coming summer. My LDS has told me they can't teach me in SM unless I'm SM certified, which makes sense from a liability standpoint. So if you plan on advancing your training in SM, you may have to take the class eventually.
Most of my diving is quarry. 5mm wetsuit June through August, drysuit the rest of the year. I have done a bit of warm water diving in SM. Dove a 3mm with adjustments only to the weighting.
I started and continue to dive AL80s on the regular. 18 to 20 pounds of lead in a harness with drysuit. 8 to 10 pounds in a 5mm. I've been trying out steels off and on, but haven't used them consistently enough to get properly adjusted or decide if I like them. In fact, yesterday was the first day I dove my "normal" setup in a while. It was 30 degrees and windy on the surface, and I didn't feel like playing around with my setup, so I went with my standard weighting and tanks (AL80s). Diving solo, dropped to max depth, followed the wall around riding about a 12 minute NDL up to 60 feet. It was Zen like. I may never try tweaking my setup again.
One thing to consider is further training. I've been thinking of taking some tech training this coming summer. My LDS has told me they can't teach me in SM unless I'm SM certified, which makes sense from a liability standpoint. So if you plan on advancing your training in SM, you may have to take the class eventually.
