My husband's certifying in OW today!

[a22shady]

Tell him to watch this video.

It may help him with equalizing. This video was done by an ENT Specialist as well as a dive instructor of many years. One thing to remember is he should Pressurize his ears just before going under as this makes equalizing the way down easier.

Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page

 

[JBert]

After reading that, something doesn't sound right.

I'm 5'10/187, and I only need 20-24lbs to get me to sink. This was diving in a 7mil with a Knighthawk. Ran 10 lbs in back, the rest in the pockets.

 

[j yaeger]

brand new 2 piece 7mm????-never crushed?
7mm hood/gloves/boots...
al 80...
salt water...
new,excited diver...
not a reach,at all!!!!
enjoy your experiences-it only gets better with time!!!!!!
have fun
yaeg

 

[Pitchblack70]

Thanks all...we're going to check out that video on equalizing, too.

Bad news is that the visibility was nil today, so we had to postpone for next weekend. We really want to get him certified before Turks and Caicos on the 8th...!

 

[spectrum]

Thanks all...we're going to check out that video on equalizing, too.

Bad news is that the visibility was nil today, so we had to postpone for next weekend. We really want to get him certified before Turks and Caicos on the 8th...!

The fallback is doing his remaining or all OW dives on vacation with a referral. Start asking about a referral if it does not happen next weekend. he has experienced cold water and probably done most of the stressful stuff at least one time so you should be good for an active summer of local diving when you get back.

Pete

 

[Pitchblack70]

Hi Pete -

No problem at all with the referral - our Dive Master is the trip organizer, too!

But we'd love to get it done beforehand, so that the "work" is out of the way, and the instructors won't have to take time off from their vacation to do the OW..!

 

[angrypete]

I'm 6ft and weigh about 270 (yes, I'm a fat-ass). I only need 29lbs, and that's with a 7mm full suit, hood, gloves etc. I put 16lbs (it's max) in my BC and only need another 13 on the belt. The only difference is I'm using a steel tank, but that's only -5lbs... so I'd go under at 34lbs w/aluminum... I know everyone's physical makeup is different, but I've never seen anyone use more weight than I do!!!

 

[Pitchblack70]

I know - it's the weirdest thing. The instructor that was testing him is significantly heavier than he is. When his weight didn't work, they switched BCDS and belts, and then piled it on from there. He kept floating up, until they got to 43lbs...!

 

[spectrum]

I'm 6ft and weigh about 270 (yes, I'm a fat-ass). I only need 29lbs, and that's with a 7mm full suit, hood, gloves etc. I put 16lbs (it's max) in my BC and only need another 13 on the belt. The only difference is I'm using a steel tank, but that's only -5lbs... so I'd go under at 34lbs w/aluminum... I know everyone's physical makeup is different, but I've never seen anyone use more weight than I do!!!

Trust me, they're out there.

 

[Pitchblack70]

Great weekend...and round two of hubbie's certification. All went well! (As well as needed, anyway!) Yes, he *still* ended up with 45lbs of weights. (My dive master has declared his older, but rarely used Farmer John suit to be the culprit due to the types of materials used in the manufacturing.) But he equalized fine, and finished the first half of the test...! We finalize tomorrow...and then head to T&C next Saturday. Everything's looking good.....