Need help with NEW TOY

In all fairness to Big Jim, I've never actually dove with him.....my start times are leisurely and when I show up he's ususally in the water already.  Then when I run into the boys on the beach later in the day he's already at home roasting up whole rockies and running marathons.  The only evidence that he actually showed up are the bud light limon bottles in the trash can and his name next to all the CA state eel records. 


Yakhopper, from my experience, the people that freak out or have a hard time adjusting to being in the water are the same ones that are just casual about diving or have little water time.  The ones that have ocean experience, watch videos, have a general idea of what to expect and buy their own gear usually don't have too hard of a time getting used to it.  I say buy a floatline and bring your speargun on the first dive, leaving it will pretty much guarantee that the fish are out and begging to be shot.     

Maybe its time for another newbie dive day at sws.

If you or your neighbor have a pool, try to "weight" yourself properly in the pool with all the gears on, then spend at least an hour practice diving to the bottom and stay down as long as you can to get comfy with your breath holding limit.

I thought i've read about this idea in the past where people suggested that the weight would be wrong if you tested in a pool, vs. the ocean.  Could be wrong, but i'm sure someone like Slick Rick will chime in 

the bud light limon bottles

HAHAHAHAA!!!!!  Jim also makes poor bets with bud light going to the looser so he can drink them on the sly!

In all fairness to Big Jim, I've never actually dove with him.....my start times are leisurely and when I show up he's ususally in the water already.  Then when I run into the boys on the beach later in the day he's already at home roasting up whole rockies and running marathons.  The only evidence that he actually showed up are the bud light limon bottles in the trash can and his name next to all the CA state eel records. 


Yakhopper, from my experience, the people that freak out or have a hard time adjusting to being in the water are the same ones that are just casual about diving or have little water time.  The ones that have ocean experience, watch videos, have a general idea of what to expect and buy their own gear usually don't have too hard of a time getting used to it.  I say buy a floatline and bring your speargun on the first dive, leaving it will pretty much guarantee that the fish are out and begging to be shot.     

Maybe its time for another newbie dive day at sws.

Thanks for the clarification Art.

 

FOR SURE bring the gun Eric!!

Diving with a gun and swinging it around in the water to aim, pointing it in holes and under rocks etc is a heck of a lot different than diving without one....

I was just saying don't worry too much about the actual shooting and focus on getting all the other pieces down, and if you come across a fish...BLAST HIM!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

If you or your neighbor have a pool, try to "weight" yourself properly in the pool with all the gears on, then spend at least an hour practice diving to the bottom and stay down as long as you can to get comfy with your breath holding limit.

I thought i've read about this idea in the past where people suggested that the weight would be wrong if you tested in a pool, vs. the ocean.  Could be wrong, but i'm sure someone like Slick Rick will chime in 

Hi Al,

In terms of weighting, the fresh to salt ratio is 1:1.03 and pool is usually not fresh water, it is chlorinated water which obviously more dense than fresh water.  In my research, if you properly weighted in the pool, it will give you an "edge" of slightly boyancy in the ocean which is a good thing in case of the "shallow water black-out". 

If you or your neighbor have a pool, try to "weight" yourself properly in the pool with all the gears on, then spend at least an hour practice diving to the bottom and stay down as long as you can to get comfy with your breath holding limit.

Remember to: 1) have someone spot you, as most pool drownings are related to breath-holding accidents and 2) factor in that you'll be more buoyant in saltwater than fresh/pool water, and thus require a little more lead when you actually dive in the ocean.

I have to chime in as a newb myself that the most un-natural thing in the world is to strap huge lead weights around your waist and jump in the water.  Your brain says its OK but a primal part of you says its a bad idea.  If that does give you the willies, then try walking into the water from shore the first time.  Once your primal part sees you float with all the lead, then head out.

Don't forget, if you happen to be able to get out and dive on a weekday hit me up! I'll make sure the one and only "Hotplate" comes along as well. Hotplate and I are BigJim certified so you can rest assured that you are in the best possible hands what's even funnier is that we both are actually certified by the state in all sorts of emergency medicine and rescue type shit! And we're BigJim approved!!! What more could you ask for!?!?  Then after the dive I'll convince Hotplate to include you in one of his famous reports that we don't hear enough of anymore. Let me know man!

Then after the dive I'll convince Hotplate to include you in one of his famous reports that we don't hear enough of anymore.

+1 

+1

I can vouch for everyone, when I say BigJim is gone in a flash!!! LOL, and BigJim is so hardcore, that even CCup and I had to label our last video, " 1/2 to bigjim" because we couldn't keep up and make it out that far.

Yakhopper, your always welcome to join us (FA Crew), if your schedule permits.

Thanks for all the responses,
I will post a Hook-up in the near future,
(Also will try to hook a marker buoy on Jim first thing, so at least I will know what direction he went )
I really appreciate all the willingness to help a newb out.
I promice you will have plenty to laugh at, and I'll have some cold refreshment after.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Jim has one of these badass flagmounts, you can't miss him! Got flagmount?

Big Jim dives gonna move to Sunday huh. Might cause some issues with my wife but if you do keep the dawn patrol and back by noon I will only be in half as much trouble. Makes sense to me.. We will see what she thinks. I gotta get back out there with some of you great folks who prowl this site.

Lots of very good info in this thread. It wasn't very long ago that I started diving myself and a lot of responses here remind me of when I first started and the obstacles, both physical and mental I faced.

Just some brief thoughts on

Pool work: Depending on your previous experience in the water, putting in some pool time allows you to familiarize yourself with your gear, equalizing, one legged dive, etc... I would also practice simulating some of the issues you may face while in the ocean such as flooding your goggles while underwater, dropping and retrieving your weight belt, untangling a floatline, etc... What I would NOT use the pool for is trying to extend your breath hold time unless you have a buddy actively watching you.

Float line: Get one.

Diving with a gun your first time: Doesn't hurt to bring it out. I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the environment the first part of the day. If you feel good and see fish, by all means, go grab the gun and shoot some supper!

Besides that, get out there, don't have any expectations, and most importantly, have fun!

Thanks again for all the great support,
I have been around water my whole life and feel fairly comfortable in it.
I also have what I believe is all the gear I will need ... including a Float Line.

My plan is to spend a little time getting familiar with the gear ...
A little time working on getting some depth (maybe 15 ft ? ) ...
If all is accomplished than maybe playing with the Pole Spear and Gun (targeting kelp leaves or real dumb fish) 

I am by no means ready to keep up with the most of you, but would like to hit the water in the near future.
If you would like to help a newb diver out (or just get a good laugh), I will be posting a hook-up for either next Mon. or the following Sun./Mon.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper