Search found 513 matches

by GearHead
Fri Sep 15, 2023 12:39 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Dive shop recommendations to service lots of hear
Replies: 6
Views: 701

Re: Dive shop recommendations to service lots of hear

Personally, I haven’t found many dives in greater Puget Sound that demanded the use of Trimix. Plus the typical deco algorithms assign punitive amounts of decompression time whenever Helium is in the mix. That said, if you have an itch that only Helium can scratch, a few shops will let you buy a J-b...
by GearHead
Mon Jun 12, 2023 9:38 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Neutral/Positively Buoyant Fins
Replies: 4
Views: 706

Re: Neutral/Positively Buoyant Fins

Another thought:
What type of BC are you using? A backplate & wing combo would allow experimentation with positioning of weights and wing style.
by GearHead
Mon Jun 12, 2023 9:31 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Neutral/Positively Buoyant Fins
Replies: 4
Views: 706

Re: Neutral/Positively Buoyant Fins

You might try Mares Avanti Quattro fins. They are classic rec/tech fins that are lightweight and very close to neutral.
by GearHead
Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:35 am
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Dry suit undergarments
Replies: 25
Views: 4990

Re: Dry suit undergarments

Dry gloves make a big difference to any drysuit. I use the KUBI system that can be added to latex wrist seals.
My preferred liners are surplus wool liners underneath the latex seals (for equalization) and the Forth Element Xerotherm wrist warmers over those.
by GearHead
Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:25 am
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Dry suit undergarments
Replies: 25
Views: 4990

Re: Dry suit undergarments

A lot of the dive groups around here look like ads for Fourth Element undergarments. I like the one-piece Arctic as an outer layer with a Xerotherm vest or long sleeve top as a mid layer. Base layers can be Underarmour Coldgear or similar. Will stay warm enough even if slightly wet (it happens). A w...
by GearHead
Mon Dec 20, 2021 8:00 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Dry suit undergarments
Replies: 25
Views: 4990

Re: Dry suit undergarments

I’m a fan of Fourth Element. This time of year I will be wearing an Arctic one piece over a Xerotherm vest and Drybase or similar base layers.
There have been a couple times when these undergarments were able to keep me functionally warm with a leak in my drysuit.
by GearHead
Thu Oct 28, 2021 3:31 am
Forum: British Columbia
Topic: Tariff on housings at YVR
Replies: 4
Views: 2132

Re: Tariff on housings at YVR

I got the form at the US customs office at the land crossing into Canada. You might also do well to have the original receipt or other record of sale from where you bought your housing.
by GearHead
Tue Oct 26, 2021 3:33 pm
Forum: British Columbia
Topic: Tariff on housings at YVR
Replies: 4
Views: 2132

Re: Tariff on housings at YVR

I had to take precautions against running into a similar issue when bringing certain items of value back into the US. A simple solution was to stop at the US side of the border to get a simple form showing that the items were already owned by me before crossing. The customs officers are looking for ...
by GearHead
Tue Oct 05, 2021 2:54 pm
Forum: General Info
Topic: Do You Use Tapatalk?
Replies: 13
Views: 14924

Re: Do You Use Tapatalk?

Using Tapatalk for all access to the board.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
by GearHead
Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:48 pm
Forum: General Tech Diving
Topic: Mukilteo slow dive
Replies: 6
Views: 8953

Re: Mukilteo slow dive

I like diving that area with a small twinset, say dbl Alu 72s or Lp steel 85s. I use EAN30 for most tec-rec or tec lite dives, and do a simple min deco ascent on back gas. I feel comfortable bottoming at 130 ft for a short time on that mix, before moving shallower to continue for a while longer. Whe...
by GearHead
Mon Jun 29, 2020 5:18 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: what compass do you all use?
Replies: 6
Views: 3271

Re: what compass do you all use?

I use the Suunto on a bungee wrist mount. It’s more than just handy at several dive sites around the Sound. Edmonds, Mukilteo Edgewater Park, Redondo and other places where there isn’t a wall or definite slope to the bottom to assist with navigation.
by GearHead
Tue Jun 16, 2020 2:19 pm
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: 14-june-2020: sunrise beach
Replies: 4
Views: 2089

Re: 14-june-2020: sunrise beach

It’s really great to dive this site from the Bandito as well. Hope they are up and running again soon.
by GearHead
Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:38 am
Forum: Dive Planning
Topic: Keystone Jetty this Saturday 24th?
Replies: 3
Views: 1649

Re: Keystone Jetty this Saturday 24th?

The Emerald Sea club will also be meeting there at 11am. So you’re not the only one who thinks that’s a good time to dive there on Saturday. ;-)
I would be happy to meet at 11 and dive with you.

-James
by GearHead
Sat May 18, 2019 6:27 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: New reef idea for Redondo!!!
Replies: 6
Views: 2663

Re: New reef idea for Redondo!!!

That would be pretty awesome! Where is this thing located?
by GearHead
Mon Mar 11, 2019 1:33 pm
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: ThThTh in Indonesia
Replies: 69
Views: 12509

Re: ThThTh in Indonesia

Great trip reports! What a treat to be able to enjoy warm water and even warmer weather. The sea life reminds me of the better spots I’ve been to in the Philippines.
I just wish tropical destinations would keep a few HP 100s on hand for those of us who like to go a little deeper and stay down longer.
by GearHead
Mon Jul 16, 2018 11:51 am
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Viz Reports Thread
Replies: 3235
Views: 636657

Viz Reports Thread

Saltwater State Park on 7/15: horizontal visibility was 25' plus. Vertical visibility was such that shimmering light from the surface was still visible at 50'. Temperature was a balmy 54 degrees at depth.
by GearHead
Mon Jul 16, 2018 11:46 am
Forum: Dive Planning
Topic: Anyone going diving 7/15?
Replies: 15
Views: 4527

Re: Anyone going diving 7/15?

A couple buddies and I dove at Saltwater State Park yesterday. Conditions were just fine. We got in the water a little after 9:00 am and had a nice 50 minute dive with no noticeable current at depth. There was a slight surface current flowing to the North as we were swimming out, just enough to need...
by GearHead
Mon Jul 09, 2018 11:34 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Hood Recommendations
Replies: 10
Views: 5420

Re: Hood Recommendations

I'm also a big fan of the Waterproof H1. It much warmer than the various 8mm hoods I used to use. I recently got a second one with the higher visibility orange and reflective stripes. The bib can be carefully trimmed with a pair of sharp scissors. I just cut off an inch around the back and seal the ...
by GearHead
Tue Jul 03, 2018 5:21 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Mulkateo, still divable?
Replies: 7
Views: 3394

Re: Mulkateo, still divable?

The site is somewhat more current sensitive w/o the old oil dock. I pay more attention to the local current marker predictions now. As far as crabbing goes, there is still some structure on the bottom where the dock used to be, and a few crab may be found there. Occasionally crab may also be found s...
by GearHead
Sun Apr 29, 2018 2:25 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Attached Drysuit Boots Cause Floaty Feet?
Replies: 23
Views: 8342

Re: Attached Drysuit Boots Cause Floaty Feet?

Try putting less air in your suit and more in the BC.
by GearHead
Tue Jan 23, 2018 10:56 am
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Weezle Undergarments
Replies: 7
Views: 3063

Re: Weezle Undergarments

While Jess is certainly the one to ask about Weezle undergarments, there are also some more general considerations. First, thick neoprene drysuit a such as the D6 are normally worn with somewhat thinner layers underneath, as they provide insulation on their own. Second, shell suits will also usually...
by GearHead
Tue Jan 16, 2018 5:23 pm
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Keystone & Skyline 1/14/17
Replies: 5
Views: 2120

Re: Keystone & Skyline 1/14/17

I wish I could give a better description of where I found the Candy Stripe. I think it was in about 36 feet of water, but not right on the bottom. There weren't too many Orange anemones in the area, and it was definitely in one of those. I literally stumbled upon it while descending after dealing wi...
by GearHead
Tue Jan 16, 2018 11:09 am
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Keystone & Skyline 1/14/17
Replies: 5
Views: 2120

Keystone & Skyline 1/14/17

After many days of rain and drizzle, we finally had a gloriously sunny day on Whidbey Island! I managed to get one of the last spots in the first row of parking after taking the 8:00 am ferry. The few remaining spots were quickly taken, and a second row got started. Seems quite a few divers had read...
by GearHead
Sat Jan 13, 2018 9:48 am
Forum: Dive Planning
Topic: 200th Dive
Replies: 7
Views: 2311

Re: 200th Dive

There will also be a group of us from Emerald Sea at Keystone on Sunday morning. We're doing our second dive at Skyline Marina (Skyline Wall) early in the afternoon.
Tides are looking good all weekend. Hoping for calm weather.