Issues for Women Divers

[Silvia]

Hello female scuba divers!

I am trying to do some research on issues that would affect women divers the most for a possible future website.

I would appreciate your feedback on what would be the most useful features for the site to include - so far I'm thinking the following:

1- hints and tips for women divers (I already saw some useful information on this forum)
2- a facility to find women buddies by geographical area
3- interviews with experienced women divers
4- description of diving sites recommended by women divers

Also, if you'd like to be interviewed, please send me an email and we can arrange a phone interview (or via email if you prefer). Your contribution can be anonymous or I can publish your contact info (e.g. if you own a diving business and would like to get some publicity).

Any feedback, ideas, and contributions will be greatly appreciated

[aquababe66]

Very cool idea! I look forward to seeing a little more estrogen added to this sport.

[Zenagirl]

I'd love to see a gear review area where lady divers could post their personal reviews of different types of gear. I think it would be fabulous to read real reviews based on experience from women all over the world.

[Hemlon]

I have bookmarked the site and look forward to seeing it after construction!

[Liv7301]

I would love to see gear reviews for plus size ladies! Sometimes I can use women's gear and sometimes I have to substitute men's gear. It would be great to have a source for wetsuits, bcs, etc that accomodate us big girls.

[ixrayu]

I look forward to seeing this site when it is up and running!

[Queen]

Originally Posted by Liv7301

I would love to see gear reviews for plus size ladies! Sometimes I can use women's gear and sometimes I have to substitute men's gear. It would be great to have a source for wetsuits, bcs, etc that accomodate us big girls.

Hear, hear! I do get tired of trying to rig guys gear to fit.

[Silvia]

I hear you gals - I'll start researching womens' gear and have a section on the site. If you have any tips please share them.

I cannot agree more with you ... I dive in New England, where the water is VERY cold, visibility is less than great, and one needs to use a dry suit to be comfortable. I wanted to rent and try suits before buying one, since we are talking about a lot of money here, and all I could rent were trilaminate men suits - I cannot describe how awkward I felt, until I lacked out and met a female instructor on the boat, who kindly let me borrow her dry suit - she is smaller than me, but it fit well enough for me to fall in love with it and order my own, customized to my measures (it's being made right now, cannot wait to get it in a couple of weeks). By the way, it is made of neoprene, not trilaminate, so one needs less underwear bulk under the suit - wonderful! It is also cheaper - what a find!

She also talked me into trying smaller tanks, which made a big difference to me, since I am short and not very strong. Instead of using the common aluminum 80s, I am now using steel 65s, which also require less weight on my belt or BC. Since the water here is very cold (40 to 65 at this time depending on depth), I usually get cold before I run out of air, and even with the 65s I come up with air in my tank. Plus having less air available motivates me to control my breathing more carfully, which is a good thing anyway.

Thanks to a woman's experience and insight, I am now comfortable diving in one of the most difficult diving areas of the world :-) But I must say ... I cannot wait to get on warm waters again!

Please keep your ideas coming - we'll make this sport more accomodating to us by speaking up and cooperating with each other.

[ParrotheadDiver]

Traveling alone....I would like to see info on resorts/hotels/dive destinations/dive ops....that are safe and do not charge a single upcharge or that have a roommate option...

[Queen]

Originally Posted by ParrotheadDiver

Traveling alone....I would like to see info on resorts/hotels/dive destinations/dive ops....that are safe and do not charge a single upcharge or that have a roommate option...

Excellent point, I too take dive trips alone (non diving SO) and have concerns about the safety of travel to some diving hot spots.