Easydive underwater kit? Safe for a newbie?

[Graham376]

Now tell me how you do a safety stop at the end of a dive or an emergency assent from depth without dropping your weights when wearing any type of insulation?

I don't understand why the question. Just adjust pressure in bcd and/or suit. I've never had to drop weights for any reason, using either wet suit or dry suit with insulation

 

[capnsensible]

Not as dramatic as that, just from an upside down helicopter. More of a paddling pool than that mine shaft!!

I found the helicopter one actually a bit more of a challenge.

 

[lustyd]

I don't understand why the question. Just adjust pressure in bcd and/or suit. I've never had to drop weights for any reason, using either wet suit or dry suit with insulation

I think he'd missed the part where the conversation was about not wearing weight belts and suits, hence his confusing response.

Like this?

Hasn't the SETT been decommissioned? I dived there a couple of times with and without gear, but sadly only allowed in from the top

 

[KeelsonGraham]

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.

You’re talking complete nonsense. Worse still, dangerous nonsense.

 

[lustyd]

You’re talking complete nonsense. Worse still, dangerous nonsense.

In what way is it dangerous to learn things? Jacques Cousteau seemed to do alright without a SCUBA instructor.

 

[KeelsonGraham]

Maybe some people are complete naturals. Maybe they can, after reading a book, cope with narcosis, not panic at 20m when their mask floods and remember to breathe out continuously while surfacing. They might even (maybe) be able to contol their buoyancy sufficiently well to make a safe rate of ascent. But, most normal people would find all these skills difficult and demanding.

To post a thread which suggests you can do all this just by reading a book is downright irresponsible.

 

[lustyd]

Maybe some people are complete naturals. Maybe they can, after reading a book, cope with narcosis, not panic at 20m when their mask floods and remember to breathe out continuously while surfacing. They might even (maybe) be able to contol their buoyancy sufficiently well to make a safe rate of ascent. But, most normal people would find all these skills difficult and demanding.

To post a thread which suggests you can do all this just by reading a book is downright irresponsible.

All of those things are well within most people's capability. It's no different to read it than be told it before diving. Most people who choose to dive will have been using masks for many years and will already be quite capable of clearing one. I'd guess that just about all new divers can manage breathing out.

Personally I think it's more irresponsible to hold people back and tell them they're incapable of learning.

 

[ryanroberts]

I recently did an open water diving course after not having used SCUBA gear since I was 14. A lot of the physical stuff was like riding a bike, though I was initially nervous rolling in from a RIB in 1m chop as I had panicked doing that as a kid into zero vis with one of those James Bond film dual hose regulators (that was anachronistic at the time) that don't work when inverted. Most of the theory stuff was pretty direly taught, but still useful as the kit and technique has moved on significantly and I remembered next to nothing about hand signals etc.

 

[arcot]

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.

Cylinder

 

[arcot]

Cylinder

Cylinder will not be pressurized without showing certification

 

[Tim Good]

I haven’t read all the replies as I know the debate this thread will have thrown up.

My short answer is I think you’d be fine using this. Im Bsac and Padi qualified. Been diving for 20 years and I do solo dive to 10m.

My reasoing is:

1. You’re not a random member of the public going on holiday. You are a boat owner and have respect for the water and generally speaking people on this forum who are owners of boats are technically minded, willing to understand and learn and sensible people. Generally speaking.

2. There are many units on the market that are not really fit for purpose and allow for shallow diving for novices. But this system does appear to be made by reputable company. The man is wearing a T-shirt branded “SpareAir” and they do make good products and have done for awhile. I carry a “Spareair” bottle while wreck diving and I do use it for inspecting the prop or changing anodes rather than faffing with my full kit. Although I am a qualified diver and have solo dived many times I do not think diving just to inspect your conditions is particularly risky compared to what we do on our boats sailing.

3. If you’re sensible I can’t see an issue but when you have the time you’ll enjoy doing a diving course or join your Bsac club. Personally I wouldn’t recommend Padi. You’ll get so much more from the mentorship of Bsac.

————-

If you do get one, take it easy, slowly learn, don’t go deeper than your keel and you’ll be fine.

Edit: I saw there are concerns over refilling. Yes that will be an issue for you. A small bottle can often be refilled from a larger diving cylinder. This is what I do. But then you need to carry a large certified cylinder. We have two for normal scuba so it’s not too much hassle. Equally you’ll want to have the actual small cylinder tested every X many years. This depends on your country. It could be a faff for you unless you get a small compressor. Again, all a bit of a faff.

I saw someone said you’ll need to show certification to refill. I’ve have 100s of bottles filled and never been asked to show my qualification. I dunno with more systems like this perhaps they will start?

 

[lustyd]

Cylinder will not be pressurized without showing certification

I don’t know where you are but in the UK, Balearics, Canaries I’ve not once been asked for anything other than money for a cylinder fill.

 

[Zing]

I don’t know where you are but in the UK, Balearics, Canaries I’ve not once been asked for anything other than money for a cylinder fill.

It’s usual to look for evidence of a pressure test of the cylinder though.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

An alternative way of clearing a prop.

 

[Uricanejack]

Plus the pages get stuck together when they are wet.

You need the right dive books wot got plastic pages and you have a china pencil to write in it with.

If you can still add 2 and 2 and spell your own name underwater.

 

[Uricanejack]

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.

Aye right up until something goes wrong

 

[Uricanejack]

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.

My old BSAC log book get lots of respect when I dive with PADI

 

[RogerJolly]

The one and only time I SCUBA dived was on a reef in the Red Sea while on a package holiday.

All I remember of the ten minutes briefing from the Italian instructor was "keep 'orizontal not vertical like a sea 'orse". He accompanied the dive.

Maybe it was risky and I should have done more due diligence.

It was utterly magical though and I didn't feel in any danger.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I haven’t read all the replies as I know the debate this thread will have thrown up.

My short answer is I think you’d be fine using this. Im Bsac and Padi qualified. Been diving for 20 years and I do solo dive to 10m.

My reasoing is:

1. You’re not a random member of the public going on holiday. You are a boat owner and have respect for the water and generally speaking people on this forum who are owners of boats are technically minded, willing to understand and learn and sensible people. Generally speaking.

I am glad you said generally speaking because there are some who are not.

2. There are many units on the market that are not really fit for purpose and allow for shallow diving for novices. But this system does appear to be made by reputable company. The man is wearing a T-shirt branded “SpareAir” and they do make good products and have done for awhile. I carry a “Spareair” bottle while wreck diving and I do use it for inspecting the prop or changing anodes rather than faffing with my full kit. Although I am a qualified diver and have solo dived many times I do not think diving just to inspect your conditions is particularly risky compared to what we do on our boats sailing.

The product is specifically marketed as a "diving" system which may be OK for someone that wants to augment their snorkelling in warm clear and shallow ( less than 10M) water and has had basic instruction. The problem is that it will encourage those who have no experience or instruction to exceed their capabilities. As for the kit it's poor, there is no need for an integrated cylinder valve an unnecessary complication nor is there any need for a change over valve for DV and snorkel, it's asking for trouble when someone dives on the snorkel and changes over and gets a mouthful of water at 10M which would equate to panic for many. It's pure marketing hype and a classic case of form over function.

3. If you’re sensible I can’t see an issue but when you have the time you’ll enjoy doing a diving course or join your Bsac club. Personally I wouldn’t recommend Padi. You’ll get so much more from the mentorship of Bsac.


————-

If you do get one, take it easy, slowly learn, don’t go deeper than your keel and you’ll be fine.

Edit: I saw there are concerns over refilling. Yes that will be an issue for you. A small bottle can often be refilled from a larger diving cylinder. This is what I do. But then you need to carry a large certified cylinder. We have two for normal scuba so it’s not too much hassle. Equally you’ll want to have the actual small cylinder tested every X many years. This depends on your country. It could be a faff for you unless you get a small compressor. Again, all a bit of a faff.

I saw someone said you’ll need to show certification to refill. I’ve have 100s of bottles filled and never been asked to show my qualification. I dunno with more systems like this perhaps they will start?

Some will be OK with it and some will definitely not be OK with it especially in dark and cold water and especially not if they decide to use it in open water.

 

[mm42]

I see nothing wrong with those statements. I can dive to 30m without a tank,

Tanks are for the army, bottles are for barkeepers, cylinders are for divers.