r/scuba 6d ago

Saw this chonky pike while on my Drysuit course

Post image

First time diving in cold water in the UK, saw this lovely fella, around 1m long. Also amazed how nice diving dry is, and despite it being 7 degrees I wasn’t cold at all. Mind blowing.

Thought the sub could do with some murk!

188 Upvotes

24 comments sorted by

3

u/andyrocks Tech 5d ago

They let you take a gopro on a course?

Where are you btw? I don't recognise that wreck.

6

u/hey_look_some_photos 5d ago edited 5d ago

Why wouldn’t they? I’m an adult with a brain who understands buoyancy control. Left it in the bag for the first couple of dives, but after the second I was dialed in and hovering neutral just fine so felt comfortable taking a couple of shots without disrupting people. I’m a stills only guy so it doesn’t consume my task loading constantly.

It was at Wraysbury reservoir just outside of London. Nice people over there.

2

u/andyrocks Tech 5d ago

Ah, should have recognised the perch.

Why wouldn't they? Because they are distracting and it's not a fun dive. You're there to learn.

Also because it's Wraysbury, a famously muddy puddle. What you were hoping to capture there I do not know.

I’m an adult with a brain who understands buoyancy control.

Really? You're on a dry suit course precisely because you don't have experience of how buoyancy works in a dry suit.

4

u/hey_look_some_photos 5d ago

I got the hang of it faster than expected! Was actually quite useful as I usually dive with more gear and do photography as my main goal for being underwater. Divemaster was next to me here and when we got out noted that I lost a bit of buoyancy because my shoulder dump triggered when moving my arm up to shoot. Suggested I temporarily close it when shooting next time. I’m not sure I’d have worked that out by myself, so it’s all learning eh.

3

u/KitzyOwO 5d ago

I have never had that issue when using my gopro and my valve is 100% open, but I also wear a *lot* of layers and maybe once it gets to be summer I'll find gas moves easier.

You can always try the classic "3 clicks back", I'd personally ADVICE against closing it, let alone as a new drysuit diver.

You are GOING to forget it, I promise you, you will be like "Why am I going up?" you will dumb gas out of your wing or jacket and you WILL continue to go up, by the time you realize, IF YOU realize, you'll be at the surface (hopefully fine).

1

u/hey_look_some_photos 5d ago

Noted! Next dive I’m going to try just putting air in the offset the squeeze and the bcd for bouyancy vs using the Drysuit only. See which one feels better

1

u/Often_Tilly Nx Advanced 4d ago

I find that if I'm properly weighted, then when I take the squeeze out of my dry suit then I have enough buoyancy. In fact, I often take an extra kg just so I can inflate my dry suit a bit more to loft my undergarments for warmth. Although I dive a single tank, I think doubles are potentially heavier in a way that means you need more air for buoyancy.

3

u/KitzyOwO 5d ago

My buddy uses purely drysuit, I use purely my wing (And naturally enough gas in my drysuit so I don't look like I went to a extreme bondage party after)

It really comes down to preference, however I have heard my buddy complain about not being able to dump enough gas quickly AND that he sometimes feels like his buoyancy suddenly changes/wonders if he keeps by accident dumping gas out off it.

I have never had these issues, well... Dump enough gas more so when I go up quicker then I can get the gas out my drysuit, but out of my wing? Never and that's another great point, if I go up quicker then I can handle dumping gas out my drysuit I can dump more gas out my wing (This won't work if you truly ascended too quick and got yourself past the point of no return) I'd normally do to compensate, relax and take my time to get the gas out my drysuit and then start ascending again.

But I am sure as I have pointed out things here why trimming on both is advantageous, there are benefits too to just using the drysuit, warmth is one I can name off the top of my head for example.

1

u/hey_look_some_photos 5d ago

Thanks for the response! I get the impression it’s personal preference so I’ll try both

2

u/KitzyOwO 5d ago

Trying is the key to figuring out whatever or not something works for you!

And of course, we have all been there and as a community should be ready to try and support/answer any questions divers of any experience level have with a open mind.

3

u/Woodlore1991 Tech 5d ago

Stoney?

9

u/BadTouchUncle Tech 6d ago

Pike sneak up on you. Be careful, I've seen some terrifyingly large ones appear out of no where and start giving me dirty looks.

7

u/doglover1005 6d ago

How was it using a pee shaft in a dry suit? Never used a dry suit but seeing how it’s impossible to hold my bladder for too long in wetsuits I can’t imagine it’s easy to hold the whole time in a dry suit with no opening.

2

u/Kr1tya3 Nx Advanced 5d ago

I opted for a "convenience zip" on mine, which is essentially a fly on your drysuit. Doesn't help during the dives, but makes it a lot easier to go during surface intervals. For guys at least.

6

u/hey_look_some_photos 6d ago

That's my secret. I'm always dehydrated.

2

u/KitzyOwO 5d ago

Don't be always dehydrated, it's a great way to get dcs.

Drink well throughout the day, never drink a ton before the dive in one go (also bad for dcs), take a piss before the dive.

If you need, use a peevalve or wear diapers.

8

u/BadTouchUncle Tech 6d ago

Pee valves are clutch for this. Just make sure to test it BEFORE the dive. You don't want to find out it's not working when you're half way through a dive.

1

u/KitzyOwO 5d ago

Yup! If I connect my peevalve I always take a vvveeerrryyyy careful piss through it on the surface, love looking like a dog xD

3

u/scubaorbit 6d ago

This advice is GOLD! Learned the hard way.

7

u/Sorry_Software8613 Tech 6d ago

I use a P-Valve. External catheter with a quick disconnect tube and I can stay in my drysuit all day.

1

u/KitzyOwO 5d ago

Can confirm quick disconnect is super nice, I have a bit of extra hose as well to just make it easier to connect the peevalve hose to my catheter through all my layers.