Wearing equipment on arm

[citykid]

I am brand new to diving dry. And am apparently finding out that I have to get all new equipment. Great, more stuff (like I don't have too much already!) Anyway, do any of you wear your computer and/or compass on your arm? Is there any problems that I should be aware of cause that's how I like to dive. You know, wearing it too tight or too loose because of the circulating air beneath it.

Thanks all.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by citykid

I am brand new to diving dry. And am apparently finding out that I have to get all new equipment. Great, more stuff (like I don't have too much already!) Anyway, do any of you wear your computer and/or compass on your arm? Is there any problems that I should be aware of cause that's how I like to dive. You know, wearing it too tight or too loose because of the circulating air beneath it.

Thanks all.

Congrats.....plus I likes your avatar!

I wear my computer and compass on the wrist while diving dry...just remember it takes either a longer wrist band or the use of bungie or in the case of my DR Duo they have an awesome elastic type band that is wonderful. Slates can be bungie or velcro banded to fit.

[CompuDude]

Not really enough air circulating there to matter. Bear in mind possibly longer straps needed, as Tex noted, and perhaps don't crank it down to the point where you lose circulation, and you'll be fine. The only thing to be aware of is the possibility of interference from the seals (and/or rings) with regard to you preferred placement. You may have to wear them a couple inches higher on your arm than you are used to.

[navyhmc]

I'm much more comfortable with critical info on my arm vs. console. Depth and time especially. This is where my computer will eventually go.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

You may have to wear them a couple inches higher on your arm than you are used to.

Right on....good point to pass on!!

[FroggDVR]

I wear my puter on my right arm. This way my accent alarm does not beep when I let air out of my inflator.
I wear my bottom timer and slate on my left arm

[citykid]

Damn Frogger, I am embarrassed to say I never though about that. With my left arm doing all that work and I usually wear the computer on the left. Gonna have to rethink that one.

Great advice so far everyone, thank you. I have to rethink the computer and compass on how it is to be secured. I have to probably lose the knife that I wear on my leg (old school thing). I was even given the DUI weight system (the suspenders that hold weights independently of a belt or the BC). I always wore my weights in my BC. Don't think I'll change that but seeing how much is changing now diving dry, I wouldn't put it past anything that I will have to rethink my weights.

Here is another question for the class. I attached the inflator hose to my 1st stage already. If I go diving wet (like in the caribbean) can I leave that hose connected and just secure it or will that cause problems?

[PsychDiver]

A little off topic, but I wear all gauges on the right arm as it is easier to get gear off and on by putting the right hand in first and left hand out first. This is also a safety issue as your regulator (usually) comes over the right shoulder which results in removing gear left hand first. Less to get caught up in the straps. Also when acsending, you can hold your LP inflator hose in your left hand to dump air if needed and still look at your gauges on your right arm.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by citykid

Here is another question for the class. I attached the inflator hose to my 1st stage already. If I go diving wet (like in the caribbean) can I leave that hose connected and just secure it or will that cause problems?

In an ideal world, you would take the drysuit hose off any time you're not using it. For an extended trip to the Caribbean, I would certainly take it off (and plug the port, of course!).

In the real world, around here, I switch between wet and dry often enough I don't bother. I just catch the unattached hose under the cam band velcro straps to minimize entanglement potential. Never been a problem. And I know a number of others who do the same. It's possible it could cause an issue, but wet dives tend to be uncomplicated for me, so in the unlikely event that there was an issue, it would be much less of an issue, if you follow my point.

[floater]

I prefer to wear a small wrist slate/compass combo and a watch on the left arm, and my computer on the right. These sometimes get in the way when donning gear (bp/w with hog harness), perhaps more so with the drysuit since it's bulkier to begin with.

The other two issues are that it's a PITA to the change the wrist straps/bungee lengths when going from from wet to dry or vice versa. I do worry a little about damaging my latex wrist seals when pulling on instruments with very tight bungee straps (I've actually added a clip to them to make it easier/safer). Last, my exhaust valve is also on the left forearm on my O'Neill Specialist drysuit, which gets in the way of the wrist slate/compass.