Category

Rebreather Diving

Jul 13
0

Thermal Protection Under the Ice

By | Rebreather Diving, Sedna Expedition, Sidemount Diving, Underwater Photo and Video, Women Underwater | No Comments

The Santi Ladies First Suit   Reliable drysuits are critical for survival in cold water. Without proper exposure protection, one could expect to survive for less than 45 minutes in water near freezing. In less than 15 minutes, unconsciousness would be likely.   Santi Diving has outfitted the Sedna team with the first drysuits ever designed specifically for women. These “Ladies First” suits have many special features. The crotch has been recut and reinforcement for better leg motion and comfort. But beyond custom tailoring the suit offers many unique features. It has been redesigned from their unisex line with a…

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Jul 07
0

How We Learn and Stay Sharp

By | All Posts, Cave Diving, Rebreather Diving, Women Underwater | No Comments

Taking On New Skills Technical diving and specifically, rebreather diving, is a continual learning process. If we closely examine how we learn, we can better prepare for the pitfalls associated with each stage of the learning process. Gordon Training International is popularly considered to be the originator of the conscious competence model, which describes the steps of learning any new skill. This model is particularly applicable to rebreather diving. The model describes the first stage of learning as “unconscious/incompetent” or “unconscious-unskilled.” This stage describes the rebreather diver on his or her first day of class; they are unaware of the…

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Jul 06
0

Rosecastle

By | All Posts, Bell Island, Newfoundland, Rebreather Diving, Sedna Expedition, Sidemount Diving, Underwater Photo and Video, Women Underwater | No Comments

I was diving on the wreck of the Rosecastle this morning with Cas Dobbin and used my new Santi heated gloves for the first time. It was glorious. I can’t imagine how I worked without them. We had an hour on the wreck which sites in 150 feet of water. The temperature is 1°C on the bottom and I was comfortable for the duration of the dive. The under gloves are great insulators even without the heat. They sit inside my Kubi dry gloves and mate to the suit with a metal ring that is sealed with an O-ring. A small…

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Jul 03
1

Chauncey’s Yellow Checklist

By | All Posts, Rebreather Diving | No Comments

Checklists are Broken The following article written by Chauncey Chapman, has an interesting viewpoint on checklists and how they can be implemented in the most efficient manner. I’ll always argue that any checklist that works for you is a benefit, but he is absolutely correct in the view that a checklist can’t be too complicated won’t be used. I applaud Hollis for securing the “little yellow card” to all the CCRs they ship. It is a terrific signal to the new CCR user that we take checklists seriously. From Chauncey: One interesting tidbit I have heard is that in most…

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Jun 30
0

Wrist Slates

By | All Posts, Cave Diving, Rebreather Diving, Sidemount Diving, Underwater Photo and Video, Women Underwater | No Comments

A Valuable Tool Tip I have always liked using wrist slates. Notebooks are useful for some purposes, but I find that I use a wrist slate much more often due to ease of access. I write down turn pressures or other dive details, teaching notes to review with my students and other tidbits I want to log later. To add to convenience I take a standard pencil eraser and drill a hole through the center, then skewer it with the bungee that secures the pencil to the slate. Having the ability to erase the slate makes it ever more useful….

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Jun 26
0

Rebreather Diving: Mixing Sensors

By | All Posts, Rebreather Diving | No Comments

Mixing Sensors is a Crap Shoot Your oxygen sensors are the heart of your CCR, offering critical information about your life support status. Attempting to save money by stretching your sensors beyond their service life may greatly increase your diving risks. Teledyne stopped supplying sensors to the diving market quite a while ago. If your rebreather contains any Teledyne sensors, they are beyond their expiration, whether they have just been installed recently or not. While you are checking your sensors, ensure that you have not mixed different brands within your rebreather. Your three sensors should be of the same brand. Each…

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Jun 20
0

More Buoyancy Tips

By | All Posts, Rebreather Diving | No Comments

Quick Buoyancy Tips If you are struggling with buoyancy and trim on your rebreather, there are a few things you can consider: If your feet are heavy, get lighter fins. Heavy fins, such as the popular Jet Fin design, were originally designed for divers wearing thick neoprene drysuits. Membrane-style dry suits rarely require negative fins unless you are diving with thick buoyant undergarments. Try leg gaitors to keep air out of your feet and consider a dry suit that is equipped with separate boots. Get a rebreather specific wing. Not all rebreathers come with a harness and wing. There are…

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Jun 16
0

Ladies First for Sedna

By | All Posts, Cave Diving, Rebreather Diving, Sedna Expedition, Women Underwater | No Comments

The mailman just arrived with my box of goodies for the Sedna Expedition in the Arctic. The Ladies First suit totally exceeded my expectations. I was so excited I couldn’t even wait for my husband to get home to take a photo! I’ll prepare some videos and pics to show you how the heating system works, but if you are thinking of getting a new suit, this is it! I’ll get it wet tomorrow!!      

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