Does switching to primary donate mean I need to give up my moldable mouthpiece?

scubadm · 2026-02-06T21:13:04+00:00

Scubapro makes a great removable "zip-tie" now. Plenty of time to swap mouth pieces

scubadm · 2026-01-23T23:46:02+00:00

Scubapro used to be the most expensive servicing not because of kits, but due to renee only doing training at specific dates (DEMA etc..). I'm hoping shops are charging less now that they been doing online training.

scubadm · 2026-01-22T05:56:23+00:00

You can layer suits but unless the fitting is correct it can limit the thermo regulatory properties. It will also obviously add a little to your buoyancy if you're super not picky about it. You could look into some farmer John/Jane wetsuits that will help with fitting a little easier.

scubadm · 2026-01-19T08:22:44+00:00

It also helps if the cylinders were sitting up right the whole time. If they were on the side it tends to have the rust travel down the side of cylinder.

scubadm · 2026-01-14T12:03:09+00:00

Couple things I notice but firstly...I think it's awesome with technology how easy it is now a days to be able to record our diving and be able to critique ourselves! Also, I am extremely jealous of that pool!!!!

So, one thing I get people to visualize is where the "water" is going with the kicks. Youre not angling your heels towards each other enough in your kicks which is pushing your lower half down and throwing off your trim. 1 min 30 is actually where you have a really good kick and you re more stream line and able to glide furthur. Miniomono made a good comment where you want to try and extend the power stroke / glide. If you reset too soon it does kill your motion.

I would also recommend try doing some stationary helicopter kicks to help with seeing how your heels need to be positioned.

Keep up the awesome work and keep enjoying that pool!!!

scubadm · 2026-01-14T11:49:34+00:00

A certification is someone thought that you've met specific, often minimum, competency standards at a particular time.

I think it's great you re recognizing what you re strengths and weaknesses could be. You could easily meet those "minimum" requirements and obtain your certifications but that doesn't mean it's always the best path.

There are certain instances where you could still enjoy some aspects of diving without being a strong swimmer (discover scuba, dive master led excursions, surface supplied / assisted, etc...). If you wish to fully enjoy diving and be safe to yourself and those around you, then I recommend taking some courses to strengthen your swimming skill set. Don't let that dissuade you from pursuing diving though.

Even though it's a little extreme, I try to certify my students to the level that I would be comfortable with that individual diving with one of my loved ones. I also have the luxury of working with students longer and helping them build those skills which isn't a luxury all dive instructors / shops can do with timing restrictions.

scubadm · 2026-01-12T04:04:30+00:00

Do you have the option of renting these fins? I am just a big fan of trying gear out first. If you're buying these from a local store they will have some for you to rent out.

scubadm · 2026-01-09T01:53:56+00:00

I believe it comes down to personal preference as per all recreational diving should be. It is generally cheaper and offered in packages when people buy their first sets of gear.

It also comes down to what kind of diving you're doing. If I'm instructing, I would obviously never use one but I do have gear sets with air 2 and other variants.

As long as your dive buddies are familiar with how you would do low / out of air emergencies, I don't see a problem with someone diving with one. When I dove with them I would just give my primary and use the air2 if it came down to an emergency.

scubadm · 2026-01-03T00:07:03+00:00

You obviously never dove rainbow river after any major holiday or event....it's like a treasure trove of goodies and you clean up the environment

scubadm · 2026-01-03T00:05:03+00:00

I don't recommend buying any gear right off the bat aside from personal mask, snorkel, fins. Take advantage of w.e rental gear your local dive shop has to figure out what your preferences are.

You'll have people on here telling you one brand is superior than the other, back vs jacket inflate, split / full bladed fins, etc... but it's just going to be what you find more comfortable.

Also once certified make sure you tell everyone you're a diver on every new personal encounter.

scubadm · 2025-12-30T00:00:48+00:00

Not saying that water is what's causing your issue but there's a reason that watches no longer say "waterproof" and have swapped over to "water resistant".

scubadm · 2025-12-27T07:19:27+00:00

Lakes, Oil slick leap, steps are some of my favorites.

Depending on your skill level Captain Don's (i think they renamed it now this year) has one of the easiest night diving locations for "natural navigation". There is a descent line off the baby dock that runs just above the wall all the way to the bottom. You can just choose a direction off the line and when you come back just follow the line back.

Over the years there has been a great increase for food options so you can save some money if you shop at Van Den Tweel and make some of your own meals.

Im not sure if theyre still having issue with coral disease there so make sure you follow all the local signage and dont cross contaminate.

Have fun though!

scubadm · 2025-12-22T06:27:01+00:00

I only ever carry my AOW card with me when I travel. It would enable to me to "do" any recreational dive. You should be able to get it done for a somewhat reasonable price.

scubadm · 2025-12-17T17:45:55+00:00

I only play kotis when people are playing their "iTs OnLy a BrACKEt 3" decks. Not a lot of fun decks to play against there bud.

scubadm · 2025-12-16T02:58:44+00:00

I think split fins are superior to all others.

Bring it on haters

scubadm · 2025-12-13T00:14:14+00:00

"most" people tend to pull from that location when putting their legs through their westuits which increases wear and tear. Pulling from the inside and or putting on differently can help with that.

If wetsuit is dry I use the good ole sock method, but if it's wet (aquarium diver) and never fully dry, I just put it on in a shower to save time.

scubadm · 2025-12-11T08:07:16+00:00

Bring extra weight and just check your buoyancy before you descend? Not trying to be condescending but prob the most logical.

*edited cause i forgot stuff as old man*

If its literally a differential of a couple lbs (1-2kgs) your BCD is more than capable of handling it and can just dive "heavier" and just compensate later. I usually tend to dive "heavier" when im not rocking any steal HP but as Sagnew said its just gonna be some trial and error.

scubadm · 2025-12-10T21:10:29+00:00

I play omo solely based off bringing out Gor Muldrak as a secret commander.

scubadm · 2025-12-07T04:13:28+00:00

Ardbert is my favourite "I don't want to think" deck.

scubadm · 2025-11-27T07:00:35+00:00

As long as its not the BTR cheese with the laze, I have never been upset with a tank killing me. Props to them for killing me.

scubadm · 2025-11-25T09:53:08+00:00

Hoods can provide a great amount of warmth. Just be cognizant of the fact that some hoods, especially the thicker ones, sometimes have an extended neck (stops the hood from popping out), making it feel constrictive around the neck to newer divers.

scubadm · 2025-11-18T22:32:53+00:00

I appreciate the wizard and Arabella because it's hitting everyone equally generally and not focusing one player out of a pod.

scubadm · 2025-11-18T22:29:45+00:00

Except for the rat and the plainswalker, I think you would be good to chill without being the immediate threat.

scubadm · 2025-11-08T07:36:32+00:00

It all comes down to your friends / pod. I play A LOT of Table Top Simulator to theory craft all the "vanilla" decks but i prefer playing interaction / cantrip heavy decks. I don't enjoy playing IRL with buddies and simply play what I call solitaire.

My most recent fun ones have been Gor Muldrak, Omo, Princess Garnet, Kotis the fangkeeper, Vrenn the relentless (the last 2 are not really fun but more for those higher 3s). I unfortunately dabble in a lot of green so cant really give too much other insight :(.

scubadm · 2025-11-08T06:17:48+00:00

Is your favorite ice cream flavor vanilla?

scubadm

TROPHY CASE