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Scuba Forum / General / October 2005LadyDivers
Howdy...Any lady divers out there with some tech experience? I will be going to Chuuk in May 06 and intend to take a Deco/Advanced Nitrox course to beef up my skills. I have not entered the "tech" realm of diving yet, my deepest dive to date is 125 ft. I am short, 5'3" and I was wondering if anyone had gear configuration remedies for smaller bodies? Thanks LunaBelle > Howdy...Any lady divers out there with some tech experience? I will be > going to Chuuk in May 06 and intend to take a Deco/Advanced Nitrox > course to beef up my skills. I have not entered the "tech" realm of > diving yet, my deepest dive to date is 125 ft. I am short, 5'3" and I > was wondering if anyone had gear configuration remedies for smaller > bodies? Thanks LunaBelle Pls forward pics and we'll see what comes up! LD. "I was wondering if anyone had gear configuration remedies for smaller bodies? Thanks LunaBelle" I have several. But I'm afraid they all involve black leather with buckles and collars. > "I was wondering if anyone had gear configuration remedies for smaller > bodies? > Thanks LunaBelle" > > I have several. But I'm afraid they all involve black leather with > buckles and collars. Damn. > Howdy...Any lady divers out there with some tech experience? I will be > going to Chuuk in May 06 and intend to take a Deco/Advanced Nitrox > course to beef up my skills. I have not entered the "tech" realm of > diving yet, my deepest dive to date is 125 ft. I am short, 5'3" and I > was wondering if anyone had gear configuration remedies for smaller > bodies? Thanks LunaBelle I have made a few small backplates (fitted to my SO who is 5'4"), and I know where one is, but is a 1/4" plate that weighs 8 pounds. Which is a good thing if you ever dive cold water. Ping me offline if you are interested, and I'll hook you up. Basically, you put on the gear and dive it. I'm about 5'3 also and not a very big person. My rmv is very low (about .33 last time i figured it in cold water) so i am often good in a set of double 63's as opposed to the 95's a big guy must wear to get the same bottom time. I dive the twin 95's for stuff below about 150 ft just because I can. You didn't mention when you are going to do this training, but I would recommend a few months in the gym with some leg presses and squats so you can climb a boat ladder. Nothing says "girly" on a tech boat faster than some wanna-be techchick who cannot haul her own a.s back on the boat. That said, I will also mention that in this configuration I have no ditchable weight because the cylinders alone are enough to make me very negative all by themselves. This is bad when wearing a wetsuit. I rarely dive wet anyway, so it's less of an issue. I've always dove a regular length BP and not had a problem. I find it is the length of tanks, not the length of the BP, that is an issue. * > Howdy...Any lady divers out there with some tech experience? I will be > going to Chuuk in May 06 and intend to take a Deco/Advanced Nitrox > course to beef up my skills. I have not entered the "tech" realm of > diving yet, my deepest dive to date is 125 ft. I am short, 5'3" and I > was wondering if anyone had gear configuration remedies for smaller > bodies? Thanks LunaBelle Thanks for the good advice, appreciate it... > Nothing says "girly" on a tech boat > faster than some wanna-be techchick who cannot haul her own a.s back on > the boat. I'm in love... Oh, wait. Is your unusually large husband reading this? LOL - no he doesn't read here. But that's okay - he likes you. Rule at our house, with us and tekkie students as well, is - if you can't handle it, you can't dive it. So learn to carry your stuff - get a dolly. That said, occasionally I do run into the well-meaning male diver whose testosterone level is very high and who wants to help poor lil me with those big ol' heavy nasty tanks and drag them to the boat - I of course prefer to save my energy for the dives, and not wishing to offend, graciously allow said poor schlep to tote lest he feel unappreciated - until he does something moronic like attempt to lift my doubles by the manifold in which case I have to shatter his pathetic ego by pointing out the correct way to deal with tech gear...... *, who has carried her twin 95s into a dive shop for trimix fill while wearing high heels :-) > > Nothing says "girly" on a tech boat > > faster than some wanna-be techchick who cannot haul her own a.s back on [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Is your unusually large husband reading this? > LOL - no he doesn't read here. But that's okay - he likes you. > > Rule at our house, with us and tekkie students as well, is - if you > can't handle it, you can't dive it. So learn to carry your stuff - get > a dolly. Wisdom. If things go really wrong, you may not only have to handle your gear, but that of another. > That said, occasionally I do run into the well-meaning male diver whose > testosterone level is very high and who wants to help poor lil me with [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > doubles by the manifold in which case I have to shatter his pathetic > ego by pointing out the correct way to deal with tech gear...... I have always had an issue with that, only in that while not wise or proper, lifting the dubs by the manifold shouldnt hurt them in any way, because if it does, what are you betting your life on? > *, who has carried her twin 95s into a dive shop for trimix fill while > wearing high heels :-) We have a similar thing in the motorcycle world. If you cant kick start a 108" (1769 cc) Shovelhead, you have no business riding it. <snipping an argument in the making regarding the strength of manifolds> >>*, who has carried her twin 95s into a dive shop for trimix fill while >>wearing high heels :-) [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > If you cant kick start a 108" (1769 cc) Shovelhead, you have no business > riding it. In high Heels?  Signature“No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy” Sun Tzu > > If you cant kick start a 108" (1769 cc) Shovelhead, you have no business > > riding it. > In high Heels? Actually, if you set the pistons in the right places (which would indicate you know how the thing works) before you turn on the electrics, starting one in high heels would not only be possible, but a lot of fun to watch. I think we may have to arrange a demo/photo shoot. Would that be hot or what? A babe in a tight sweater, short skirt, the nylons with the line down the back, in heels kicking over a 108" motor and riding it off... >> > If you cant kick start a 108" (1769 cc) Shovelhead, you have no >> > business [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > A babe in a tight sweater, short skirt, the nylons with the line down the > back, in heels kicking over a 108" motor and riding it off... towing a trailer with the double 95's and all the tekkie gear to go with them I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that have pedals. They are much better for maintaining fitness. And the line-things are called seams. * > > > If you cant kick start a 108" (1769 cc) Shovelhead, you have no business > > > riding it. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > A babe in a tight sweater, short skirt, the nylons with the line down the > back, in heels kicking over a 108" motor and riding it off... > I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that have > pedals. They are much better for maintaining fitness. Yeah, but can they pass a semi uphill? > And the line-things are called seams. Whatever they are, they are a beautiful thing. >> I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that have >> pedals. They are much better for maintaining fitness. > > Yeah, but can they pass a semi uphill? I've seen semi rigs going up hill that I could pass on foot. Lee > >> I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that have > >> pedals. They are much better for maintaining fitness. > > > > Yeah, but can they pass a semi uphill? > > I've seen semi rigs going up hill that I could pass on foot. pppfftttppp. Not anywhere east of the Rockies, and damn sure not in Florida. Biggest hill ya all have out there is like 370 feet, if memory serves. Slowest I've ever seen them go is about 25 mph, and no one on a bicycle is going to do better than that on the grades I am talking about. Ask Pops. >Not anywhere east of the Rockies, and damn sure not in Florida. Biggest hill >ya all have out there is like 370 feet, if memory serves. Highest Point: The State Bureau of Geology says the highest known surveyed elevation in Florida is located in the northeastern part of Walton County. That elevation has been fixed at 345 feet and is just south of the community of Lakewood http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/html/floridafacts.html >Slowest I've ever seen them go is about 25 mph, and no one on a bicycle is >going to do better than that on the grades I am talking about. I've seen (and followed them) going much slower than that in West Virginia. >Ask Pops. Galen Hekhuis NpD, JFR, GWA ghekhuis@earthlink.net Hell hath no fury like a bird in the hand. >> I've seen semi rigs going up hill that I could pass on foot. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > hill > ya all have out there is like 370 feet, if memory serves. Excuse me, but the Smokies are way east of the Rockies. Your guess for Florida is close, if not right on. > Slowest I've ever seen them go is about 25 mph, and no one on a bicycle is > going to do better than that on the grades I am talking about. > Ask Pops. Pops has a real truck. I spent many an hour behind trucks that were lucky to be doing 15 miles an hour on two lan roads up the mountain. They made up for it on the way down. Lee > Pops has a real truck. I spent many an hour behind trucks that were lucky > to be doing 15 miles an hour on two lan roads up the mountain. They made > up for it on the way down. Musta been real twisty. Actually, out here, they *try* to go slower down than up. > > Pops has a real truck. I spent many an hour behind trucks that were lucky > > to be doing 15 miles an hour on two lan roads up the mountain. They made [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Actually, out here, they *try* to go slower down than up. Ooh, BTW - Sgt. Geoff is home on a 2 week leave and arrived out here yesterday with his fiancee. We took them diving today at Titlow (his first time in the water in over a year due to his deployment) and he is now happily on the sofa in front of the TV with a sporting event on, a beer, a nice fire in the fireplace, and the remote all to himself. Life is good. * >> > Pops has a real truck. I spent many an hour behind trucks that were >> > lucky [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > beer, a nice fire in the fireplace, and the remote all to himself. > Life is good. ***** (five stars) > * >>> > Pops has a real truck. I spent many an hour behind trucks that were >>> > lucky [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > ***** (five stars) Wot, no flowers??? LD. >> > Pops has a real truck. I spent many an hour behind trucks that were >> > lucky [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > * I *like* the sound of your place! LD. > Ooh, BTW - Sgt. Geoff is home on a 2 week leave and arrived out here > yesterday with his fiancee. We took them diving today at Titlow (his > first time in the water in over a year due to his deployment) and he is > now happily on the sofa in front of the TV with a sporting event on, a > beer, a nice fire in the fireplace, and the remote all to himself. > Life is good. Outstanding. Give him my best regards. I can see your smile from here. > > Ooh, BTW - Sgt. Geoff is home on a 2 week leave and arrived out here > > yesterday with his fiancee. We took them diving today at Titlow (his [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Give him my best regards. done. Thanks. What I love most about this kid is that he is so kind, even to war protesters.He said, when we asked him, "that's what makes America, America." In the face of the crap they hear, it's good for him to learn of support. * > I can see your smile from here. > done. Thanks. > What I love most about this kid is that he is so kind, even to war > protesters.He said, when we asked him, "that's what makes America, > America." Sure is. Just as I am free to speak my feelings about them and their collective cowardice and treasonous BS. > In the face of the crap they hear, it's good for him to learn of > support. Funny how these liberal pussies think they have the privilage, invitation or ability to speak for those who are actually doing the job. Not funny, ha-ha, but funny sick. > > Pops has a real truck. I spent many an hour behind trucks that were lucky > > to be doing 15 miles an hour on two lan roads up the mountain. They made [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Actually, out here, they *try* to go slower down than up. Ooh, BTW - Sgt. Geoff is home on a 2 week leave and arrived out here yesterday with his fiancee. We took them diving today at Titlow (his first time in the water in over a year due to his deployment) and he is now happily on the sofa in front of the TV with a sporting event on, a beer, a nice fire in the fireplace, and the remote all to himself. Life is good. * >> Pops has a real truck. I spent many an hour behind trucks that were >> lucky [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Actually, out here, they *try* to go slower down than up. That's what exhaust brakes are for. LD. >> >> I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that have >> >> pedals. They are much better for maintaining fitness. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > hill > ya all have out there is like 370 feet, if memory serves. I'm a fookin Brit and *I* even gotta tellya that "ya all" ain't proper damn suthen talk.......I even know it's y'awl.....now get a grip willya? LD. >>> >> I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that >>> >> have [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >> hill >> ya all have out there is like 370 feet, if memory serves. But Mount Dumpmore is growing. Curtis > >>> >> I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that > >>> >> have [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > But Mount Dumpmore is growing. <cough> > > >> I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that have > > >> pedals. They are much better for maintaining fitness. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Ask Pops. Sure they can... Ask Lance. >> > >> I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that >have [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >Sure they can... Ask Lance. A friend of mine is an avid bicyclist. Being that this is Austin, he was riding one afternoon and came up to a rather big hill. As he was pumping up the hill, along comes US Postal. Lance pulled up next to John, chatted for a minute and then the team took off up the hill. With John watching them disappear while he kept downshifting. Oh yeah, Lance wasn't even breathing hard. Signaturedillon Anyone who says grown men don't cry has never taken a differential equations final. > I've seen semi rigs going up hill that I could pass on foot. A Florida hill? Damn, had he run out of fuel and was he pushing it? >>> I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that have >>> pedals. They are much better for maintaining fitness. >> >> Yeah, but can they pass a semi uphill? > > I've seen semi rigs going up hill that I could pass on foot. Well, me 'n' Pops was innit, innit? LD. I've burned past a few uphill over near Tiger Mountain on both the road bike and the mountain bike. Not while wearing seamed stockings, however, unless the seams down the back of my riding tights counts. * > > I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that have > > pedals. They are much better for maintaining fitness. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Whatever they are, they are a beautiful thing. > I've burned past a few uphill over near Tiger Mountain on both the road > bike and the mountain bike. Not while wearing seamed stockings, > however, unless the seams down the back of my riding tights counts. > > * > \ *ALL* seams count! LD. >> > I don't do motorcycles, preferring instead the kind of bikes that have >> > pedals. They are much better for maintaining fitness. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >> >> Whatever they are, they are a beautiful thing. > > > If you cant kick start a 108" (1769 cc) Shovelhead, you have no business > > > riding it. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > A babe in a tight sweater, short skirt, the nylons with the line down the > back, in heels kicking over a 108" motor and riding it off... *Whew!* For a second there, I thought you were going to say: "Jammer, wearing a tight sweater, short skirt, the nylons with the line down the back, in heels kicking over a 108" motor and riding it off..." Just make sure Jammy's hair's done nice :-) :-) -hh ><snip> > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Ever think about doubling up AL80s? Not as much air as the 95's, I'll grant you, but lots more than the 63's, they are positive when empty--and they're dirt cheap. I haven't added it up, but I'd guess that net gear weight should be about the same. Just a thought. <snip> John Eells > ><snip> > > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > <snip> yup - hae done when needed. I'm a bit short, so unless i need that much gas, prefer a shorter tank when possible. The 80's are literally a PITA :-) * > John Eells > I'm a bit short, so unless i need that much gas, prefer a shorter tank > when possible. The 80's are literally a PITA :-) Then hook them up in a sidemount rig... > > I'm a bit short, so unless i need that much gas, prefer a shorter tank > > when possible. The 80's are literally a PITA :-) > > Then hook them up in a sidemount rig... Interesting thought. I have no clue how to do this, but will have a look around. Splain me please, the difference in comfort with a sidemount rig? How would this be to deal with for a shore hike or on a boat? * > Interesting thought. I have no clue how to do this, but will have a > look around. Splain me please, the difference in comfort with a > sidemount rig? How would this be to deal with for a shore hike or on a > boat? For a hike, you just carry one tank in each hand or one on each shoulder... It is also possible to have it on and still hike with it... Since the weight is lower, it is probably better for hiking than having a set of doubles on your back due to you having a lower center of gravity... In the water, it feels quite a bit more stable than having tanks on your back... On a boat, you don't have to worry about them not having a correct rack setup for manifolded doubles, they're only dealing with single tanks and are treated just like other single tanks...The way mine is configured, you need a D-ring on the hip and chest for both sides of your harness... I use two backplates and sandwich my wing between the two... No tanks are mounted on my back unless I'm going to be down so long that I might need 4 tanks... There is a stainless steel hose clamp towards the bottom of the tanks that is attached to a snap bolt via a short piece of nylon line (so that it is cutable)... Some people put a figure-8 knot in the line and put it under the hose clamp for the tank... I made up some small stainless steel brackets that slip under the hose clamp and then bend up at a 90 degree angle on each side of the hose clamp... These bent up sections have holes in them so that I can pass a line through them... I then knot a line, run it through one side, through the bolt snap, through the other side, and then knot the other end... There's other ways to do the attachment, but the main idea is that there should be no metal-to-metal contact (i.e. it should be cutable in case the bolt snap jams and you need to remove the tank)... There is another bolt snap attached to the valve neck via another loop of line... You need to adjust the line lengths and hose clamp position to match the distance between the chest and hip D-rings for your particular rig... Each tank has a single 1st stage and 2nd stage regulator on it... Each tank also has an SPG on it... If you can't find a short hose for your SPG, you can use a normal length one with a rubber strap keeping the hose next to the tank... I use the heavy duty black rubber straps that are used to hold tarps down... I remove the steel hooks and then run a few loops of braided nylon line through the holes to make the straps into a single loop... Some people use cut up inner tubes... The SPG should be positioned very near to the valve so that you can see easily see it while diving... The 1st stages will each have a bolt snap that could clip to a chest D-ring or they could be routed around the back of your head... If you chose to route them behind your head, an octo hose might be a more appropriate length... Although I've come to like a sidemount in open water diving, their main advantage is in cave diving... I've found that I can comfortably get into places that I would not have gone into with back mounted gas... Steel-72s feel very nice in sidemount rigs... AL80s are not to bad either, but I've heard that you probably shouldn't go with anything larger (unless you're the size of Curtis, of course)... <grin> |
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