by Kat Ramage | Apr 25, 2017 | General News
If you use a weight belt
If you use an integrated BCD
To finish up this series, let’s discuss what is probably the easiest conversion to make–pounds to kilograms. A kilogram is 2.2 pounds, so a good rule of thumb is to take the amount of weight you use at home and divide it by 2. Most people usually dive with a little extra weight anyway, so this should work out just right.
Having said that, if it’s your first dive in a long time, or if you have a brand- new wetsuit, this shortcut might not work for you. If it’s your first dive in awhile, you will probably be just a little bit unsure/anxious, your breathing will be affected and you will need more lead. After a couple of dives, you will be back in the groove and can take off the extra. If you have a brand-new suit, the neoprene bubbles haven’t been compressed yet. In both of these instances, make the conversion and add 1 more kilo.
If you are someone who has perfected your buoyancy and you have been diving recently, ask the DM if they have weights in half-kilo or one-and-a-half kilo sizes. Together, you’ll be able to come up with the right combination for you.
So, my metrically-impaired brethren, I hope you have enjoyed this series and found it helpful. Happy bubbles everyone!
by Kat Ramage | Apr 20, 2017 | Scuba Diving Courses
Wout & Cap’n Paul at 30 metres Temple Garden Pemuteran
Wout listens intently as Cap’n Paul explains nitrogen narcosis on deep dives
Today the Cap’n got out of the office and into the water with Wout from the Netherlands. The site he wanted to visit was Temple Garden, which is an advanced dive at 30 metres. Wout didn’t have experience with deep diving, so he took a step towards Advanced Adventurer and learned all about it from our knowledgeable and fearless leader. Both thoroughly enjoyed the dive and spotted a turtle as they headed up to their safety site–lucky buggers!
by Kat Ramage | Apr 18, 2017 | General News
Both systems in one plus color coding–I like it
Today’s topic in our series ‘Guide for the Metrically Impaired’ is tank pressure. Those of us familiar with the Imperial system measure tank pressure in psi while the rest of the world uses bar. So if the divemaster says that you need to turn around and head back to the boat when you have 125 bar, or you need to be back on the boat with 50 bar, how do you comply if your gauge is in psi? Most importantly, listen to the dive briefing and pay attention to the guidelines and hand signals. Here are some handy conversions:
Full tank 3000-3200psi 200-250 bar
Turn-around point or start
ascending to a shallower depth 1000-1250 psi 100-125 bar
Safety stop / low on Air 750 psi 50 bar
Low on air / Very low on air 500 psi 30 bar
Save
by Kat Ramage | Apr 13, 2017 | General News
Yes, fellow Americans…this means you. If you have never been diving outside the US or the Caribbean, you might be really confused by your dive briefing–“The sandy bottom is at 25 meters. The water temperature is around 21 degrees. How many kilos do you need? When you get to 80 bar, ascend to your safety stop at 5 meters for 3-5 minutes.” Or, the divemaster points to his gauge asking how much air you have left and you indicate 1 (for 1000psi), and all you get back is a confused (or maybe panicked) look.
Today’s quick guide – Depth
You are used to this.
Your rental says this
What you need to know
3 metres=10 feet Use for Safety Stop
5 metres=15 feet Use for Safety Stop
18 metres = 60 feet Open Water depth Limit
30 metres = 100 feet Advanced Open Water depth Limit
40 metres = 130 feet Recreational Diving depth limit
Next time– Aren’t bars the places to get beer?
by Kat Ramage | Apr 11, 2017 | Initiates Into the Brethren, Pemuteran Diving
Katyiza getting tips on buoyancy control from instructor Wayan
Katyiza, a new member of the Brethren, is spending time in Bali on a 4-month sabbatical from her job. She doesn’t yet have a lot of dives under her belt, but she’s getting better each time under the watchful eye of Wayan. Today the focus was on buoyancy control–the small adjustments that make a big difference. Tomorrow she’s heading to Menjangan for her first true wall dive experience. Enjoy!
