Great video, thanks! Just a few things I wanted to say. First, my instructor got me on the idea of carrying a large and small DSMB. The reasoning made sense...the larger can carry you significantly if the current/conditions are pretty rough, the smaller one, not so much. So it gives you options. I carry a 4' and a 6'. The 4' DSMB is so easy to inflate and shoot, I really like it. And I never carry any other color than orange. If you need to signal an emergency, there is a procedure for that. The other colors are frowned upon in some parts of the world and I travel quite a bit. Just a thought. Second, the strobe is fine as long as it is only used on the surface in an emergency situation. I also carry a mirror. Three, the idea about gluing pockets seemed strange to me until my instructor told me the same thing and his has been on for years. I just didn't think it would hold up but I was wrong there - great suggestion! Lastly - the trim thing is so important but until you put on all this equipment, you don't know if you are going to be trimmed out, head-up, or head- down. It's important to spend time knowing your equipment and getting it all right, then writing it all down. If anything changes, it's back to the drawing board. Ask me how I know :) Also, just a comment about the RK3 (not the HDs)...while they are great fins, they are positive buoyant so the diver has to be prepared for that. I have "heavy" legs so I wanted a more positive fin. I picked these up and I am extremely happy with them. It is just a pain to find backup straps for your save-a-dive kit. Thanks for the video, that's really valuable for those who are just starting their tech journey. Good luck to you all!
Thanks for the question! It's absolutely possible in sidemount. I was focused on the typical configuration for South Florida drift deco diving. Doubles are easier to get on and off the boats for hot drops in this area. I've done a lot of deco diving in sidemount, doubles aren't mandatory just recommended for ocean drift deco.
No line cutters. They don’t work for anything serious and they won’t cut webbing. Trauma shears are the best option. You can get them in stainless steel and they’re cheap. You should have two SMB’s’s and they should be different colors from each other. One can be orange and the other should be a different color such as yellow or green. The purpose behind the two colors is the signal “operations OK” or that an emergency exist to those topside. Apeks RK3’s are superior to Jet fins because the bottom of the foot pocket extends all the way back to the heel of the foot, giving you better control of the whole fin, but both are superior to the DiveRite fin. A cheap $2 pair of gardening gloves with a protective coating across the entire palm and fingers will work perfect for gloves. Pockets are not “needed”, and often can cause frustration when trying get things in and out of them if they’re not the right shape and/or size. If you do use a pocket, no “zippers”. Use one with a larger top-loading velcro flap. Regardless, a large expandable pouch is a better option. It doesn’t take up space on your legs and you can clip it off anywhere on your harness. Behind you for storing, or up front when accessing things inside. Wet notes are better than slates, and absolutely, a flashlight is essential. Wide angle for seeing, and beam for signaling. NO STROBES!!!! EVER!!! NO!!! NO STROBES!!! Strobes are absolutely retarded to use, and it is beyond ridiculous so many divers are using them these days! The risk of inducing a potential seizure (YES, EVEN IN PEOPLE WITH ZERO HISTORY OF ONE!) is far too high! NO STROBES!!! If you feel you MUST use some kind of signaling light underwater, then use only a low rate oscillating light. Long-Hose use, Backplate and Wing use, proper buoyancy and correct trim and finning should ALL be taught at Open Water, and reach a high degree of familiarity and use by Advanced. These things should NOT be taught at Intro to Tech. If you have not already mastered buoyancy, trim, finning, ideal breathing, minimum weighting, long-hose and BP/W use before you enter tech, you have been failed miserably by your instructor(s)/agency.
great vid!
Great video, thanks!
Just a few things I wanted to say. First, my instructor got me on the idea of carrying a large and small DSMB. The reasoning made sense...the larger can carry you significantly if the current/conditions are pretty rough, the smaller one, not so much. So it gives you options. I carry a 4' and a 6'. The 4' DSMB is so easy to inflate and shoot, I really like it. And I never carry any other color than orange. If you need to signal an emergency, there is a procedure for that. The other colors are frowned upon in some parts of the world and I travel quite a bit. Just a thought. Second, the strobe is fine as long as it is only used on the surface in an emergency situation. I also carry a mirror. Three, the idea about gluing pockets seemed strange to me until my instructor told me the same thing and his has been on for years. I just didn't think it would hold up but I was wrong there - great suggestion! Lastly - the trim thing is so important but until you put on all this equipment, you don't know if you are going to be trimmed out, head-up, or head- down. It's important to spend time knowing your equipment and getting it all right, then writing it all down. If anything changes, it's back to the drawing board. Ask me how I know :)
Also, just a comment about the RK3 (not the HDs)...while they are great fins, they are positive buoyant so the diver has to be prepared for that. I have "heavy" legs so I wanted a more positive fin. I picked these up and I am extremely happy with them. It is just a pain to find backup straps for your save-a-dive kit. Thanks for the video, that's really valuable for those who are just starting their tech journey. Good luck to you all!
I needed tips on gear and this helped
Great information and all in the same video!! Thanks!
Great video - thanks for posting!
Great tips on gear
Thank you for this video!
Just out of curiosity, this course is nit possible in side mount?
Thanks for the question! It's absolutely possible in sidemount. I was focused on the typical configuration for South Florida drift deco diving. Doubles are easier to get on and off the boats for hot drops in this area. I've done a lot of deco diving in sidemount, doubles aren't mandatory just recommended for ocean drift deco.
@@BarefootBentley thanks!
No line cutters. They don’t work for anything serious and they won’t cut webbing. Trauma shears are the best option. You can get them in stainless steel and they’re cheap. You should have two SMB’s’s and they should be different colors from each other. One can be orange and the other should be a different color such as yellow or green. The purpose behind the two colors is the signal “operations OK” or that an emergency exist to those topside. Apeks RK3’s are superior to Jet fins because the bottom of the foot pocket extends all the way back to the heel of the foot, giving you better control of the whole fin, but both are superior to the DiveRite fin. A cheap $2 pair of gardening gloves with a protective coating across the entire palm and fingers will work perfect for gloves. Pockets are not “needed”, and often can cause frustration when trying get things in and out of them if they’re not the right shape and/or size. If you do use a pocket, no “zippers”. Use one with a larger top-loading velcro flap. Regardless, a large expandable pouch is a better option. It doesn’t take up space on your legs and you can clip it off anywhere on your harness. Behind you for storing, or up front when accessing things inside. Wet notes are better than slates, and absolutely, a flashlight is essential. Wide angle for seeing, and beam for signaling. NO STROBES!!!! EVER!!! NO!!! NO STROBES!!! Strobes are absolutely retarded to use, and it is beyond ridiculous so many divers are using them these days! The risk of inducing a potential seizure (YES, EVEN IN PEOPLE WITH ZERO HISTORY OF ONE!) is far too high! NO STROBES!!! If you feel you MUST use some kind of signaling light underwater, then use only a low rate oscillating light. Long-Hose use, Backplate and Wing use, proper buoyancy and correct trim and finning should ALL be taught at Open Water, and reach a high degree of familiarity and use by Advanced. These things should NOT be taught at Intro to Tech. If you have not already mastered buoyancy, trim, finning, ideal breathing, minimum weighting, long-hose and BP/W use before you enter tech, you have been failed miserably by your instructor(s)/agency.
ua-cam.com/video/edQdttqfPIg/v-deo.html
Funny....this line cutter seems to cut nylon webbing just fine.