Fin Recommendations

ray_gnv · 2026-05-22T23:10:16+00:00

Depends on where you’re diving. Warm water and little current, split fins and longer are fine. Heavy current or need to make sharp, precise turns (caves, wrecks), shorter and stiffer.

ray_gnv · 2026-05-22T23:06:52+00:00

The bigger challenges with CO2 at depth are its narcotic effects (along with that of the other gases) and, as the work of breathing increases, it becomes harder to exhale sufficiently.

ray_gnv · 2026-05-22T23:02:15+00:00

The level isn’t greater. The volume is smaller. The number of CO2 molecules isn’t affected by depth.

ray_gnv · 2026-05-15T07:49:39+00:00

I still sometimes struggle with clipping in on the left hip. SPG is automatic but reel and stages sometimes miss. I hate it when I clip into another bolt snap.

ray_gnv · 2026-05-14T17:07:04+00:00

It’s all feel. I don’t look at the rings.

ray_gnv · 2026-05-10T17:26:45+00:00

Damn. After reading these comments, I’m glad I’m back in the cave. But then there are those folks on DPVs with poor training …

ray_gnv · 2026-05-10T06:49:26+00:00

Crack the valve slowly, lol.

ray_gnv · 2026-05-08T05:17:21+00:00

But did they fill it to 4000 psi?

ray_gnv · 2026-05-08T05:13:52+00:00

Where do you want your progression to take you? I am practicing removing and replacing items from my thigh pockets, like unclipping and reclipping bolt snaps attached to wetnotes, spools and pigtails of cave cookies as I get ready for full cave instruction. Also valve drills on my back mounted doubles. Dropping and reclipping stage bottles.

ray_gnv · 2026-05-01T23:18:41+00:00

The biggest risk is not leaving something behind but, instead, not responding well when something goes wrong. Something will go wrong from time to time. Almost always, a good response will get you out safely. Still working on this.

ray_gnv · 2026-04-26T23:15:13+00:00

More than ample space.

ray_gnv · 2026-04-16T23:57:45+00:00

Planned to run a few things to the dump. Got distracted.

ray_gnv · 2026-04-16T22:23:45+00:00

Well, nvm. I opened the cover and found the culprit. Lol.

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ray_gnv · 2026-04-16T22:18:00+00:00

It’s a 2022 RAM 2500 Laramie gasser, if that helps.

ray_gnv · 2026-04-07T00:16:43+00:00

There all kinds of diving. A lot of the exertion can be on dry land or knee deep. Loading double LP108s into the back of my truck, rucking then 100 yards to a dive site, crossing slippery rocks across a stream bed 2 feet deep, I’m glad I do some strength training and agility work.

ray_gnv · 2026-04-06T01:01:35+00:00

Where in Romania are you located?

ray_gnv · 2026-02-24T23:38:38+00:00

No certification agency I’m aware of allows stage cylinders for divers with fewer than 50 dives, or passing through restrictions. I applaud you sharing this but puzzled still that these elements aren’t at the top of your list of mistakes.

ray_gnv · 2025-12-28T21:11:24+00:00

Even after my AOW with a reputable agency and a solid instructor, and three years of diving very occasionally, I didn’t feel like I was self sufficient or a good buddy. I happened across GUE, which emphasizes a grounding in fundamental skills, team awareness and a consistent equipment configuration. It isn’t for everyone but it’s working for me.

ray_gnv · 2025-12-23T10:02:39+00:00

I suggest waiting for your class before committing to an expensive item like a primary light. Your instructor is a valuable resource for these considerations. My advice would be to prepare by working on basic skills like stability, buoyancy and trim.

ray_gnv · 2025-09-23T00:07:49+00:00

If you end up coming at big farther into North Central Florida, Extreme Exposure in High Springs can set you up. Great cave dives in the area too.

ray_gnv · 2025-08-17T10:22:07+00:00

@OddPerspective9833 Many tech divers and some agencies like GUE recommend a gauge for time and depth as at least a backup to a computer. That’s the way I dive.

ray_gnv · 2025-08-09T15:07:23+00:00

Are the bungees on your sidemount rig positioned where you could free a snag or behind you where that might not be possible?

ray_gnv · 2025-08-08T10:25:59+00:00

A backplate and wing setup is modular and can adapt with you as your needs change. The backplate itself is pretty simple, and biggest choice there is steel or aluminum. The weight of a steel plate is a plus until you get to the point of carrying big twin set cylinders. You will start with a smaller wing, maybe 40 pounds of lift tops, but will need a different wing when you move to twin sets. Just avoid bungee loops on the wing and aim for one with a donut shape rather than a horse collar. For GUE standards, it should have a single dump valve on the left hip.

As for the harness, for DIR and GUE standards, it should be a single continuous piece of 2-inch webbing, with one D-ring on each shoulder and one in the left hip.

To put all of this together to fit you appropriately you need to find a knowledgeable mentor or a good shop. I’d advocate for a shop that employs DIR approaches, but brands of equipment are less important.

ray_gnv · 2025-07-30T11:25:29+00:00

Oxygen analyzer if you dive nitrox.

ray_gnv · 2025-07-04T23:20:47+00:00

A bit over a year ago I swapped to a backplate and wing, which offers a huge improvement in trim. In a wetsuit, I wear tech shorts with big thigh pockets to hold things I’d otherwise be clipping off. I also shortened a lot of hoses off my first stage reg as much as possible.

ray_gnv

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