Easydive underwater kit? Safe for a newbie?

[asteven221]

I saw this bit of kit a while ago when over in the USA and thought that it would be ideal for short dives of just a few feet to deal with tangled ropes, cleaning the sail drive and stuff like that.

I don't have any diving experience, but am aware that diving underwater can be dangerous, but we are really only talking about going a meter deep. I have tried free diving to look under our boat, but it just doesn't work for me as I struggle to hold my breath for anything more than a small number of seconds. I also float, so staying under is a problem.

It seems on face value that this bit of kit would be idea for the likes of me, just looking to be able to stay underwater, near the surface for a short while. I have zero interest in going on a PADI course as I am not interested in learning how to do proper (serious) diving.

Good or bad idea?

 

[europe172]

I saw this bit of kit a while ago when over in the USA and thought that it would be ideal for short dives of just a few feet to deal with tangled ropes, cleaning the sail drive and stuff like that.

I don't have any diving experience, but am aware that diving underwater can be dangerous, but we are really only talking about going a meter deep. I have tried free diving to look under our boat, but it just doesn't work for me as I struggle to hold my breath for anything more than a small number of seconds. I also float, so staying under is a problem.

It seems on face value that this bit of kit would be idea for the likes of me, just looking to be able to stay underwater, near the surface for a short while. I have zero interest in going on a PADI course as I am not interested in learning how to do proper (serious) diving.

Good or bad idea?

I would think that the longer you are under water the more the risk of entanglement, which if diving alone could be a killer.

 

[Minerva]

I saw this bit of kit a while ago when over in the USA and thought that it would be ideal for short dives of just a few feet to deal with tangled ropes, cleaning the sail drive and stuff like that.

I don't have any diving experience, but am aware that diving underwater can be dangerous, but we are really only talking about going a meter deep. I have tried free diving to look under our boat, but it just doesn't work for me as I struggle to hold my breath for anything more than a small number of seconds. I also float, so staying under is a problem.

It seems on face value that this bit of kit would be idea for the likes of me, just looking to be able to stay underwater, near the surface for a short while. I have zero interest in going on a PADI course as I am not interested in learning how to do proper (serious) diving.

Good or bad idea?

Can you walk into an actual dive shop and will the assistant there sell you one, knowing you have no dive experience and it was to dive alone to untangle ropes from under your boat?

If not( which I suspect will be the case) then that would tell you all you need to know. I imagine a basic dive course would be the way to go to learn at least the rudimentary safety basics.

However I agree with you it would be useful bit of kit to own, but the risk of 1, you dying a fairly grim death and 2, your family aboard experiencing a pretty traumatic experience watching you drown would the over riding factor in my considerations.

 

[jamie N]

I'd say that for you, it's not a good idea.
I reckon that you'd be better off getting a good snorkel, face mask and set of weights, getting yourself 'ballasted' properly with the weights, and then you're in a more controlled scenario, and aware that you're not able to be 'there' for more than a few seconds.
I'd also say that you'd be quite daft to not try whatever you want to do 1st in a pool, as an absolute minimum.
The scuba stuff would be far more suitable for someone who's done a PADI as they'd be able to recognize it once it starts to unravel and go bad. However the item shown in the video looks super dodgy to me (in particular the changeover valve from tank to scuba), and I can't imagine any professional diver queuing up to buy one.

 

[srm]

Having run a part time prop clearing business for fishing boats and other shallow diving, and now clean my own prop etc of barnacles by snorkeling I would suggest you avoid this. (I have also been trained to use firefighting breathing apparatus). The cylinder is very small and even at a few feet will not last long, and the change over switch between cylinder and snorkel looks somewhat dodgy and totally unnecessary. Simply let go of the bottle's mouth piece, put the snorkel in your mouth and exhale to clear it.
If you really want to play with something like this do please go on a SCUBA course as the most dangerous depths for lung damage are the top few metres.

 

[lustyd]

Can you walk into an actual dive shop and will the assistant there sell you one, knowing you have no dive experience and it was to dive alone to untangle ropes from under your boat?

I've never showed any certification to buy dive gear and never been asked experience or qualifications, so yes I'd imagine they would sell you one. Diving isn't hard or dangerous, it can all be learned from books etc. if you choose to. The dangerous thing is people who don't do any prep or are generally unaware type people, but they will be dangerous in a boat or car too.

 

[Zing]

It is a mini scuba kit. You can kill yourself with it just like you can with a normal kit. Learn to do it properly and get proper kit, which will last massively longer. It’s pretty easy (especially if you do the PADI course) and a very useful and enjoyable hobby.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Stay well clear. Just practice with a snorkel.
PADI rescue diver qualified many years ago but I just use a snorkel for boat work.
I disagree that you can learn diving purely from a book there are some things that you really have to experience to understand.

 

[capnsensible]

Plus the pages get stuck together when they are wet.

 

[Daydream believer]

I do not understand where the snorkel comes into this. I got a net round my prop & I just went under the boat & holding my breath , found the prop & dis-entangled the net. Then came up gasping for air. I always have a rope alongside the boat permanently rigged for MOB & i hung on to that until I got my breath back. As far as I can see a snorkel would have been pointless 4 ft under the water. So why suggest one?
I did go to a dive shop afterwards & they sold me a weight belt. I have worried about using it because I was under the water for quite a while & when i came up i needed to come up very quick. With a dive belt I am not sure I would have surfaced quick enough. The dive shop suggested jetisoning it. However, I was in a state of emergency after 45 secs & am not sure that any longer I might have dealt with it, if it had stuck around my waist. 45 secs is a very long time under water for a 72 year old. I only managed it because I have been a dinghy sailor & have been trapped under a dinghy 3-4 times over the years, so have learned not to panic.

 

[lustyd]

I disagree that you can learn diving purely from a book there are some things that you really have to experience to understand.

I think you misunderstood me. Obviously you have to actually go diving, but after reading the theory you can do so quite safely because you'll know the dangers. There's nothing inherently better about having a deeply tanned school dropout tell you the information in a sunny resort. I dived for many years before I got qualified, and the qualification gave me nothing aside from friends and the ability to dive on holidays with rental kit.

 

[lustyd]

So why suggest one?

Snorkels are mandatory on PADI training courses and for some reason they cling on to them afterwards too. I've never bothered with a snorkel even when "snorkelling" I just do it freedive style and hold my breath

 

[penberth3]

I think you misunderstood me. Obviously you have to actually go diving, but after reading the theory you can do so quite safely because you'll know the dangers.....

So there's no need for qualified instructors and hands-on experience of assembling and using the kit? Just read a book, and there you are!

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Using a snorkel means you don't need to lift your head clear of the water to breath. It makes things a lot less strenuous and make assessing from the surface much easier. It has nothing to do with PADI training.

 

[lustyd]

So there's no need for qualified instructors and hands-on experience of assembling and using the kit? Just read a book, and there you are!

It's really not that hard. Instructors are a great easy way to learn, but far from necessary for everyone.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

It's really not that hard. Instructors are a great easy way to learn, but far from necessary for everyone.

It's easy to be an expert in what you think you know. It's only when tested that you learn what you don't know.

 

[lustyd]

It's easy to be an expert in what you think you know. It's only when tested that you learn what you don't know.

As above, was tested, confirmed I did know. There really isn't much to learn. Do you insist people do the whole RYA sylabus before getting in a boat?

 

[paulajayne]

There really isn't much to learn.

Boyles law. Henrys law, Charles law. Effects on the body at pressure. Signs and symptoms of pressure related problems.
Get proper training.


BSAC 1st class diver
Club instructor
Services Air Diving Supervisor.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

As above, was tested, confirmed I did know. There really isn't much to learn. Do you insist people do the whole RYA sylabus before getting in a boat?

No because it's not my business. But I do conduct assessments and tests for Pilots and that includes a full check of all their qualifications license and medical before they can start their skill check. Because that is my business.
I've met many people who assumed their level of knowledge was good when it wasn't.

 

[lustyd]

Boyles law. Henrys law, Charles law. Effects on the body at pressure. Signs and symptoms of pressure related problems.
Get proper training.

All of those are pretty straightforward for anyone with half a brain, for everyone else the training is, of course, available. As are the plethora of badges for those that need them too.