I got a DUI this weekend

[nwbobber]

My first dive in a drysuit was sunday, at sund rock. For those of you who were there, I'm sure sorry about the visibility, I'll have to accept responsibility for at least part of it. I had the floaty feet thing going on, and it seemed as if the only way I could keep my feet from going up was to keep them decidedly down. I have confidence this is going to get easier, but my first go was a train wreck.
My new suit is a DUI tls350. I'm going to try the gaiters and see If I can keep my feet from turning into lift bags. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[Pez7378]

My new suit is a DUI tls350. I'm going to try the gaiters and see If I can keep my feet from turning into lift bags. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Rock Boots or Fin Keepers. Otherwise, practice practice practice. I've got a TLS350 and I use a Weezle undergarment with Weezle booties. I've learned to just get used to the floaty feet sensation because it's not really as bad as it seems.

[nwbobber]

Are the weezle booties like socks? I got a weezle extreme with this suit. I'm glad to hear you say that the floaty feet is not so bad. At this point I don't have the moves to deal with it. I think the instructor has me quite a bit overweighted, with ankle weights and the whole nine yards. I hope that I can learn to deal with it without the ankle weights. When the foot bubble isn't there they feel like anchors. So, like you say I will practice, and apologize in advance for stirring up the bottom.

[kat]

i have an extra long set of ankle weight that i put around my thighs just above my knees. it is a crutch, but i am happy with it for now. keeps the legs a bit more level without too much dragging.

[nwbobber]

Hooray for the crutches. I have to admit that I was getting a little frustrated... doing loop de loops in the water column trying to get the air out of my feet. It must've looked hilarious. I have to thank my wife for not cutting loose with the wisecracks. She is really very nice.

I just have to keep in mind what it felt like last november. 27 degrees, 25 mph wind, getting out of my wetsuit. OH YEAH this is going to be worth it!

[kwbyron]

ahh, I miss the PNW... and my dry suite. I'm trying to figure out how to lighten my feet now, I got so used to the "floaty feet" that I have to actively work to keep my feet up when I'm diving wet.

[Nwbrewer]

ahh, I miss the PNW... and my dry suite. I'm trying to figure out how to lighten my feet now, I got so used to the "floaty feet" that I have to actively work to keep my feet up when I'm diving wet.

What drysuit? You never had a drysuit. You had at best a "less wet" suit.

[cklenk]

i have an extra long set of ankle weight that i put around my thighs just above my knees. it is a crutch, but i am happy with it for now. keeps the legs a bit more level without too much dragging.

I got an Apollo, which is a compressed neoprene suit with those cool and very spiffy ankle vents - we'll see how all of that works - hopefully less floaty feets......

[lizard0924]

Hooray for the crutches. I have to admit that I was getting a little frustrated... doing loop de loops in the water column trying to get the air out of my feet. It must've looked hilarious. I have to thank my wife for not cutting loose with the wisecracks. She is really very nice.

I just have to keep in mind what it felt like last november. 27 degrees, 25 mph wind, getting out of my wetsuit. OH YEAH this is going to be worth it!

It is TOTALLY worth it and you will figure it out after a few dives. The first four or five dives I did with my drysuit just sucked, royally sucked. It was one issue after another, and I'm sure I entertained more than a few other divers with my antics. But, I'm happy to report that it all came together pretty quickly, and now I can "usually" enjoy my dives. It's all good.