Mailing List Archive

Mailing List: cavers

Message Display

From: "Chris Elmore" <elmorec@ga*.cl*.sc*.ed*>
Organization: University of South Carolina
To: "Alfred J. Alapisco" <AquaLad@ix*.ne*.co*>
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 08:56:56 EST5EDT
Subject: Re: BC Redundency Question?
CC: cavers@cavers.com

> ...Though I know many of
> you advocate the use of a drysuit as a back-up and I know many who
> oppose this, including most manufacturers of drysuits.

Alfred,
	The DUI "Dry Suit Owners Manual", 1991 (maybe time for an update?) 
states on P. 33:

	WARNING: Do not inflate your Buoyancy compensator under
	water while using your dry suit. Controlling two independent air 
	bladders (the BC and the dry suit) is a very difficult skill to
	master...

	I don't know of anyone who believes this- I guess this is designed 
for people without the bouyancy skills we generally take for granted. 
The wings are the primary source of bouyancy variability and the dry 
suit remains relatively static.The best procedure I have found 
(thanks, Trout!) is to keep just enough gas in the drysuit to 
eliminate squeeze an maintain bouyancy control with your wings. On 
ascending, the expansion should vent from the exhaust valve on the 
suit and you manage bouyancy manually (as usual) with your wings. At 
deco you can dump gas from your wings and add some to your dry suit 
for added warmth and to reduce any restrictions that might impede 
blood flow. 
C.
 

Chris Elmore
Network Administrator
University of SC
(803) 777-1534 office
(803) 348-3055 mobile

Navigate by Author: [Previous] [Next] [Author Search Index]
Navigate by Subject: [Previous] [Next] [Subject Search Index]

[Send Reply] [Send Message with New Topic]

[Search Selection] [Mailing List Home] [Home]