Daily Diving... Anything to know?

[mitsuguy]

Alright, well, I have a good number of dives under my belt, as does my wife, including many days in a row for each of us... Only a couple days in a row for me, and a week for her...

We are going to Utila to do our instructor certifications, intern to do our MSDT, and stay around to dive and divemaster and instruct as well...

So, other than the basics about multi day diving to be aware of (nitrogen and o2 loading), are there any tips and tricks we may need to know in advance, or, just things that could make things easier... It really sounds like our gear will never not be wet, so, keeping it clean will be priority, but, anything else???

[LiteHedded]

my only concern would be watching your o2 exposures

[kjvander]

just making sure that you drink plenty of fluids as well to make sure that you don't get dehydrated...

[No Misses]

Have a relief zipper installed in your wetsuit. Multiple days of "Eliminating" in your wetsuit makes for a very unpleasent odor.

[Jiblets]

When are you going and how long do you plan to stay? Depending on when you go, bring a 3mm long or maybe even a 5mm long. I did a DMT in Roatan between Jan-May, and had a 3/2mm long (although more like a 2/1mm) some days froze my butt off in confined water. Repetitive diving can get cold, especially if a front comes in and you don't get a chance to warm up during your SI. Also the long suit is handy with all the kneeling you do.

FYI, my brother just got back from a 2 week stay in Roatan, and all the instructors were in 5mm.

When it warms up and the bugs start biting, DO NOT scratch. You'll constantly be wet, so wounds take longer to heal. Cactus juice works for the sand flies, OFF skintastic is better - plus it makes you smell pretty.... Eventually you get used to the sand flies, and the bites no longer itch.

... also bring a loud tank banger. I swear some students become stone deaf underwater.

That's all I got. Have fun and say "Hi" to the whale sharks.

[ektess1]

You should take care of your ears. Ear infections are not fun.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by LiteHedded

my only concern would be watching your o2 exposures

Yah... here's the deal, I know almost all the technical aspects of it.... I can recite rules and laws and standards like you wouldn't believe...

it's the hands on, doing it, experience that I don't have...

just the little things that ya might not even think about unless you do it on a daily basis...

I am taking two wetsuits, a neosport 4/3 and a waterproof 3 mil, the wife is taking a 3 mil farmer jane / jacket wetsuit... I think we'll be ok, but am prepared to do a 5 mil if needed...

OFF Skintastic, ya say? should I invest here, or is it available there???