What would you do

[kenmendes]

Ok here's the deal. I want to buy a drysuit but i have to save up for one also i am not drysuit certified so i would have to take the class. So would you save and take the class and get certified and rent one until you can afford to uy one or would you just save until you can afford the drysuit and class together.

[Chad]

Personally I would save up for a drysuit and get a friend that has one to help me learn to use it properly in the pool. Or get the suit and take the class if you would feel better about having an instructor teach you how to dive it.

[kenmendes]

Originally Posted by Chad

Personally I would save up for a drysuit and get a friend that has one to help me learn to use it properly in the pool. Or get the suit and take the class if you would feel better about having an instructor teach you how to dive it.

So what you are saying is that you don't really need to get certified. Do have any pointers about drysuit diving

[tedwhiteva]

Originally Posted by kenmendes

So what you are saying is that you don't really need to get certified. Do have any pointers about drysuit diving

Yes - take a class when you get your own. You will not feel comfortable in one at first - warm yes, comfortable no.

[ScubaJW]

Don't need to take a class. I learned it from a friend and I practiced with my drysuit. In about 10 or 15 dives, poof, I was loving it! It's like relearn how to dive again.

[medicdiver]

I took my open water with a dry suit and after that it was up to me to dive it. I personally don't think you need to take a class. The class was nice just because someone was there who knew something. If you can find someone who is experience with a drysuit to help you. If you aren't comfortable with that method you could always take the class. With my dry suit I am to the point that even in the summer I like to go dry.

[navyhmc]

My first dry suit was a 1/2" Farlon-What can I say, I'm old!-and then there were no courses for Dry at all what I did was talk to those who dove dry and had some experience, suited up in the pool for about an hour and played around with it until I was comforatble with it before I went into open water.

The biggest thing to be careful of is head down/feet up and learn how to get out of it.

The Dry suit cert is used most for renting a dry suit. I am not aware of anyone asking to see a card before you use one on a boat or a trip. No one ever did with me.

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by kenmendes

Ok here's the deal. I want to buy a drysuit but i have to save up for one also i am not drysuit certified so i would have to take the class. So would you save and take the class and get certified and rent one until you can afford to uy one or would you just save until you can afford the drysuit and class together.

Many shops will solve this problem for you. Most will offer a free class if you buy a drysuit from them. But of course no free class comes with a $400 ebay suit.

I see you are still a beginning diver, by the number of logged dives. Of the drivers I know who dive dry only 1/3rd or so ever took the class but then these guys all have hundreds of dives and were quite experienced when they bought their suit. For a new diver the class is good but there is not much to learn. A few procedures for when things go wrong and then how to vent the suit as you ascend. This could take 6 or 8 dives before you can do it without thinking. Stay shallow at first.

[medicdiver]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Stay shallow at first.

This is a very wise statement!

[ianr33]

I got my drysuit off Ebay and went for a couple of dives with an experienced buddy. Course is by no means essential but might be useful (assuming they teach to use the BC for buoyancy,not the suit)