AboutMike Giles Expertise I am a Master Scuba Instructor with over 6000 dives. I can answer questions on general diving techniques, diving education and diver training. I can offer suggestions on the use and selection of proper dive equipment, general maintenance of dive equipment as well as diving equipment repair. I can also offer suggestions on air conservation techniques and buoyancy control. As a dive shop owner for 17 years, I can offer suggestions on starting/running a dive business.
Experience I have been diving for 52 years, teaching diving for 47 years and owned a diving business for 17 years. I am a certified regulator repair technician for several different brands and a certified scuba cylinder inspector.
Organizations I am currently a member of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Divers Alert Network (DAN), International Resort and Retailer Association and the Better Business Bureau
Publications Undercurrent magazine and Divers Chapbook
Education/Credentials I am a Master Scuba Diver Trainer with 15 distinct specialty instructor ratings, Rescue Diver Instructor, Medic-First Aid Instructor and I have degrees in Chemical Engineering, Biology and Radiologic Technology.
Do you use any particular technique when ascending in a dry suit to help you co-ordinate venting air from the dry suit, and venting air from the BC/wing, and breathing control to achieve a smooth ascent from a deep depth, (say 100 feet),just on the edge of positive buoyancy?
Thank you,
Bill Kenny
Answer Hi Bill,
Thanks for the question. First, let me say that I don't have a lot of experience with dry suit diving. My answer will be based on what I have done and there are undoubtedly experts out there who can add to what I have to say.
For me, the BC was used primarily as a surface flotation device and as a buoyancy backup in the event that my dry suit failed. I would dive with the BC fully deflated and control my buoyancy strictly with the dry suit. That way, I only had one air volume to adjust. With precise air inflation control as my depth varied, I was able to control most of my diving with lung volume. When it was time to ascend then I could control the entire ascent by bleeding air from the dry suit. I was careful to control the venting of the dry suit so I didn't come up too fast. If the ascent rate gets away from you then you may have to over vent and then re-inflate to re-establish control. with practice, I was able to make slow controlled ascents and stayed right on the edge of positive buoyancy.
I'm assuming that you are not over weighted for your dives. If you are, then buoyancy control becomes much more difficult since you're dealing with a larger volume of air and buoyancy will change markedly as your depth changes. Good buoyancy control under those circumstances would be exceedingly difficult.
Bill, I hope this helps you and, once again, my dry suit experience is limited so I can't really throw any nifty tricks at you!!
