Task loading or ?

[mm2002]

First of all, this is an experience that I'm not real proud of, so be gentle.

After being out of the water since late October, the wife and I bought some pool time at a LDS about 40 miles from here. They have a very nice pool; indoors, temp controlled, 12 ft deep (the whole pool). We are both freshly OW certified with 16 dives, but again, our last dive was Nov 2007. Now, the experience:

First of all, we left late, had babysitter issues, and just had a bad start in general. We had to be back in town at a certain time, so now the clock is ticking. We arrived at the LDS, and went straight to the pool. We had to use their weights, and their tanks, because the owner is super anal about what goes in their pool (understandable). We both have new BC's that we've never got wet until that day. I also have a new mask, fins, shorty suit, etc that I'm trying out. The tanks they provide are AL63's, which is what my wife dives, but I'm used to an 80. We got all geared up, got the weights situated, and all was well. We jump in, and that's where things went silly for me.

First of all, my old BC was a jacket, and my new BC is back inflate, and I was trying to descend to no avail. I finally figured out that to descend, I needed to get upright so I could get all the air out of the bladder. After I figured that out, I found that my mask leaked badly. I got to the bottom and spent 5 minutes trying to figure out the mask leak (my other mask has a nose purge, and I guess I was spoiled). I finally figured out how to clear a mask that didn't have a nose purge, and how to get THIS mask to seal. I found myself stressed out and breathing heavily trying to work out all the problems that I had assumed wouldn't exist. It was seriously like learning all over again. After I got all that worked out, I couldn't seem to get decent buoyancy. My upper body (from the waist up) was perfectly level, but my feet wanted to "hang low" unless I finned to compensate. I fought with that for awhile, and finally got a decent grasp on it, but still not where I want to be with this equipment. Now, by the end of the day, I was swimming around without a mask, hovering, practicing various skills, etc., but it took some time to get comfortable again.

Here's what I learned on this "dive";

1. With a low number of dives under your belt, don't make too many equipment changes at once, especially if you've been out of the water for awhile.

2. Don't assume that, after a bit of dry time, that you'll get right back in the water and take up where you left off. Some things may seem "new" to you again.

3. Dive, dive, and dive some more. Practice the skills until they are second nature for YOU.

4. If you introduce new equipment, do the above again and again until you're 100% comfortable with the gear. Don't change everything at once.

On a final note, I now realize exactly how much I still need to learn.

[Splitlip]

Point 1. I just had dejavu. Gladd you figured that out. You should never introduce more than 1 piece of new equipment for any dive. That goes for things like cameras and wetsuits even, IMO.

When I introduce a new piece of equipment I dive it first on a shore dive then do a one tank ocean dive with the Scuba Club. Goes for fins, regulator, BCD, camera even a new gear config like going from an SS1 to a necklace.

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

Point 1. I just had dejavu. Gladd you figured that out. You should never introduce more than 1 piece of new equipment for any dive. That goes for things like cameras and wetsuits even, IMO.

When I introduce a new piece of equipment I dive it first on a shore dive then do a one tank ocean dive with the Scuba Club. Goes for fins, regulator, BCD, camera even a new gear config like going from an SS1 to a necklace.

Yes, and I'm humbled by this experience. Twas a real eye opener for me.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

Point 1. I just had dejavu. Gladd you figured that out. You should never introduce more than 1 piece of new equipment for any dive. That goes for things like cameras and wetsuits even, IMO.

When I introduce a new piece of equipment I dive it first on a shore dive then do a one tank ocean dive with the Scuba Club. Goes for fins, regulator, BCD, camera even a new gear config like going from an SS1 to a necklace.

I'm not sure I completely agree. mm did it right... he got into the pool the first time he used his gear, instead of taking on a real dive.

I think as long as you realize you've made changes and test things out in a safe environment (like the pool at your LDS), you've done things right.

Now, if you're going on a real dive, I agree, it's playing with fire to change more than one piece of gear at a time.

[ReefHound]

I don't see the problem here. Maybe your expectations if anything.

You did the right thing to check it all out in a pool. It's best to introduce one new piece at a time but you just about bought a whole new kit plus you didn't really have an old kit tweaked out yet. Experienced divers have spent dozens of dives tweaking and fine tuning things.

Buoyancy and trim control is hardest in shallow depths like in a pool.

[Splitlip]

Agree Compude completely. I am guessing MM took this as lesson learned had it been a real dive.

"don't make too many equipment changes at once"

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by ReefHound

I don't see the problem here. Maybe your expectations if anything.

You did the right thing to check it all out in a pool. It's best to introduce one new piece at a time but you just about bought a whole new kit plus you didn't really have an old kit tweaked out yet. Experienced divers have spent dozens of dives tweaking and fine tuning things.

Buoyancy and trim control is hardest in shallow depths like in a pool.

You're probably right about the "expectations". Looking back, I'm not sure exactly what I expected, but I guess I just plain didn't expect any problems. Honestly, I felt like a real idiot with the problems I DID have. I know I'm not an idiot though, just a VERY inexperienced diver.

I am now convinced that I'll always make any major gear changes in the pool first. I have read tons of threads on this board where you guys preach that exact thing, but now I know why.

Compudude, man I'd really like to take the credit for the pool adventure being my "choice" to try out the new gear, but I must be honest and say it was not. The pool was there, and the water was warm, and I really wanted to go diving. If the lake was warmer, my experience would have been there, which could have been a disaster. What really opened my eyes was the fact that about three weeks ago I had planned to go diving with a few of the members here, and just couldn't wait to try out the "new stuff". Luckily, it didn't work out for me to go, and the water temp would have been way to cold for my exposure suit anyway. If I had went, I'm now positive that I would have likely ruined it for the others, and I wouldn't have been worth a damn as a dive buddy. I'm thankful that it didn't happen that way. Lesson learned.

[divingchef]

Originally Posted by mm2002

You're probably right about the "expectations". Looking back, I'm not sure exactly what I expected, but I guess I just plain didn't expect any problems. Honestly, I felt like a real idiot with the problems I DID have. I know I'm not an idiot though, just a VERY inexperienced diver.

I am now convinced that I'll always make any major gear changes in the pool first. I have read tons of threads on this board where you guys preach that exact thing, but now I know why.

Compudude, man I'd really like to take the credit for the pool adventure being my "choice" to try out the new gear, but I must be honest and say it was not. The pool was there, and the water was warm, and I really wanted to go diving. If the lake was warmer, my experience would have been there, which could have been a disaster. What really opened my eyes was the fact that about three weeks ago I had planned to go diving with a few of the members here, and just couldn't wait to try out the "new stuff". Luckily, it didn't work out for me to go, and the water temp would have been way to cold for my exposure suit anyway. If I had went, I'm now positive that I would have likely ruined it for the others, and I wouldn't have been worth a damn as a dive buddy. I'm thankful that it didn't happen that way. Lesson learned.

I don't think you should feel bad at all about the experience, aren't you doing this type of pool dive to become a better diver? You were in confined water, limiting your risk. Thats how you learn. You are a better diver due to your experience like this, it shouldn't affect your mental confidence at all. Better to have it happen in the pool, than at 100' with 5ft vis and 60F water, no? Even better, now that you shared the experience on the forum, others can learn from it as well....bravo.

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by divingchef

I don't think you should feel bad at all about the experience, aren't you doing this type of pool dive to become a better diver? You were in confined water, limiting your risk. Thats how you learn. You are a better diver due to your experience like this, it shouldn't affect your mental confidence at all. Better to have it happen in the pool, than at 100' with 5ft vis and 60F water, no? Even better, now that you shared the experience on the forum, others can learn from it as well....bravo.

Thanks chef, and you're right, it was a good experience. Honestly, the reason I posted it here was #1, to discuss it with experienced divers, and #2, hopefully help other new divers to avoid a mistake I made. Actually, it did affect my mental confidence in a way; it reminded me to not be overly confident at this point in my diving career, and to take things slow and practice. I'm not embarrassed to talk about a weakness, and I feed off the suggestions of more experienced folks. I have several real good dives that I've not posted anything about, but then again, what would I learn from that!

[cummings66]

One other thing I'd add. I consider a new buddy a new addition and to limit my task loading I won't take my camera on a dive with them until I see how they do.

My first dive with a buddy is treated like a first dive with new gear. It's time to play with it and see how it reacts. To be honest, it's saved me some trouble because I pay more attention to them than I would had I taken a camera with me.

I think you did fine in the testing and since you're doing that work and reporting on it I'll bet you are better than average when it come down to brass tacks. An average diver wouldn't think about trim, just hop in and dive. I've seen them upside down and vertical, and they didn't seem to care. You care, that's important and shows good judgement.