43 replies to this topic

[Marvel]

Marvel,

.......sorry you weren't warm enough. You may need to go dry.

Walter

I've started checking out drysuits but the prices are astronomical!!!! Going to some dive shops today to see if I can ind any "finds."

[Walter]

I'll put you in touch with someone who can get you a good deal.

[Marvel]

I'll put you in touch with someone who can get you a good deal.

Actually, at this point, my focus is on purchasing a dive computer. I have been doing some reading on the various types but haven't been able to narrow it down. Nitrox is a must but I'd also like air integrated but then they start getting pricy. A friend has an Aeris 300G & he's made noises about possibly selling it to me. I like the way the console is set up in a triangular mount rather than a straight line. If not that, I'm leaning towards a wrist-mounted computer. The only problem I have with that is that is that the rest of my gauges will still be on my console. I like to have everything clustered togeather for ease of monitoring. I dislike my current straight-line mounted console when I'm using my compass because it feels awkward keeping it in a straight line to navigate.

[drbill]

74 degrees? Heck the only time it got that warm around here was during the 1982-83 El Nino. Of course all the kelp disappeared back then. There's plenty of it right now, so thick it's hard to find my usual landmarks.

Dr. Bill

[Diverbrian]

74 degrees? Heck the only time it got that warm around here was during the 1982-83 El Nino. Of course all the kelp disappeared back then. There's plenty of it right now, so thick it's hard to find my usual landmarks.

Dr. Bill

Bill,

Like you, I would be in awe of 74 degree water temps. One day, I'll have to slip out to that neck of the woods. The kelp sounds interesting and I already need a drysuit where I live, so it doesn't bother me too badly. So many places to dive, so little vacation time!

Marvel,

Are you mainly beach diving? If you are, I would recommend exposure protection first and then the computer. Especially if you decide to go to nitrox, we in the Great White North have a term for diving on wrecks with a maximum depth of 30 ft. It is "one long safety stop". If you are boat diving a lot, (which my friend from down there doesn't do much of) then it is a toss-up and dive computers are a "real nice to have" and in your case a drysuit would be a super addition to your gear bag.

[jextract]

74 degrees? Heck the only time it got that warm around here was during the 1982-83 El Nino. Of course all the kelp disappeared back then. There's plenty of it right now, so thick it's hard to find my usual landmarks.

Dr. Bill

Bill,

Like you, I would be in awe of 74 degree water temps. One day, I'll have to slip out to that neck of the woods. The kelp sounds interesting and I already need a drysuit where I live, so it doesn't bother me too badly. So many places to dive, so little vacation time!

Marvel,

Are you mainly beach diving? If you are, I would recommend exposure protection first and then the computer. Especially if you decide to go to nitrox, we in the Great White North have a term for diving on wrecks with a maximum depth of 30 ft. It is "one long safety stop". If you are boat diving a lot, (which my friend from down there doesn't do much of) then it is a toss-up and dive computers are a "real nice to have" and in your case a drysuit would be a super addition to your gear bag.

I took a boat out to Catalina on Saturday and the kelp was spectacular. First two dives (near the quarry ... Bill I'm sure you know where that is) were just OK - only about 20 foot viz. Last dive (near yellowtail point, ditto) was amazing - viz felt like about 80 feet! Plus the kelp was absolutely teeming with fish, definitely one of those dives that I'll remember for a looooooooong time.

Sunday ..... not so much. Did a beach dive at Surfrider Beach in Malibu. Viz was 5 feet at best and we called the dive after I burned only about 500 psi of nitrox - what a waste.

[Marvel]

Marvel,

Are you mainly beach diving? If you are, I would recommend exposure protection first and then the computer. Especially if you decide to go to nitrox, we in the Great White North have a term for diving on wrecks with a maximum depth of 30 ft. It is "one long safety stop". If you are boat diving a lot, (which my friend from down there doesn't do much of) then it is a toss-up and dive computers are a "real nice to have" and in your case a drysuit would be a super addition to your gear bag.

Normally sage advice but pretty soon the water temps will reach 80+ around here! I did purchase a hood this weekend, though. Not to worry, however- added protection is high on my "to buy" list. As to it being a drysuit- well, a little beyond my means at this stage in life. I'll just have to limit my dive season for the nonce.

[Bubble2Bubble]

Drysuit in FL ? give me a break !!! ( insert 3W's here) I could see Wis, Canada, CA, WA but FL Sheeesh. Marval follow your Heart and watch your pocket book.

Thats my 2 peso's

Glad you got Wet tho

Mike

[mischievous]

M- don't even listen to B2B! it's okay to be cold...my goodness, it would take months to even compile the W3 list amonst all of us...

[Walter]

it would take months to even compile the W3 list amonst all of us...

Sorry darlin', I'm the only one. The rest of you are WWSs.

[mischievous]

psst...walter...what's a WWSs? oh and while where on the topic of abbreviations...what does the R****before LMAO mean?

[Walter]

WWW = my initials.
WWS = Warm Water Sissy
ROTFLMAO = Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Butt Off

[mischievous]

wow...i want to be "rolling on the floor laughing..."

[Coo's Toe]

Drysuit in FL ? give me a break !!! ( insert 3W's here) I could see Wis, Canada, CA, WA but FL Sheeesh. Marval follow your Heart and watch your pocket book.

Thats my 2 peso's

Glad you got Wet tho

Mike

Drysuits are not that uncommon in Florida. Fairly standard among the cave divers, and definately not a bad idea for the ocean.

If the lady's having a problem getting cold, then she should use whatever keeps her diving in comfort. It's hard to beat a drysuit for warmth and comfort. You can vary the thickness of the undergarments to keep pace with the changing water temps/seasons. If a suit keeps you diving year round, then it's a great investment IMHO.

Don't worry about being called a wimp, Marvel. I'd rather be a warm wimp in a good suit than a "stud" shivering between dives in a wetsuit.

[mischievous]

but we all want to see how "studdly" you are in a wetsuit...