Diving

Gear

Exposure

I use a DUI CF200X Drysuit, which is wonderfully dry and durable. The shoulder-entry is key, and permits selective exit of body parts or a freshette during between dive comfort breaks. I got the "Signature Series" suit, which is a custom-fit, plus warm neck, big thigh pockets, and kevlar kneepads. The warm neck is absolutely a must, and should really be standard. The rest of the "signature series" paraphenalia can, and probably should be skipped if you're looking for a sport diving suit (photographers may like it as well). Most of my dives are for research, so the big pockets are handy for carrying the cable ties, tools, cable ties, extra pencils, cable ties, and other crap that inevitably comes with research diving. But they really do create a lot of drag, and I don't think I'd recommend them to non-working divers. The same goes for the knee pads, I trashed the knees on my last suit placing sand achors and bolts, but unless you're doing stuff like that, you should be off the substrate anyway, and then the kevlar is just added bulk.

My last drysuit was an O'Neil neoprene. It lasted maybe 5 years, and I got probably 500 dives out of it, but by the end I was pouring liters of water out at the end of a dive. The zipper teeth were mounted on what looked like a coated-cotton backing, and it just unraveled. To be fair, the suit was less than $500. A buck a dive ain't bad.

Regulators Right now I'm on a Poseidon 2000 first stage with an Odin/Jetstream second. I went with the Odin because Todd Anderson used one, and he seemed happy diving about the same profiles in similar conditions. The Odin has a very industrial feel to it, and delivers a ton of air at any orientation with any tank pressure. Well, until the pressure drops below ~200 psi, and then it delivers the rest of your air all at once. Hope you weren't rationing it! It's also expensive as all get out to maintain, and the servo assist is practically impossible to work on yourself. The U.S. distribution system has just been bought out, but was previously managed by a troop of howler monkeys. Maybe the new outfit will be better. I have an ancient Aris Ranger octo that just won't die. It free flows a bit, but you can strip the whole thing in the water, and it always works after a little attention. (UPDATE! AUG 2005) The Ranger died! Now I'm on a more ancient brass Scubapro. I'm sure this one won't die! But if you're just outfitting yourself for scientific diving, I'd go with a 'normal' Scubapro or USD, just because the parts and maintainence you need to maintain AAUS certs will be cheaper and easier to track down than something exotic.

Computer Yeah, right. I'm a grad student. I dive guages. (UPDATE! Sept 2005) Now I'm a postdoc with a fancy Uwatec Alladin. Thanks eBay!

BCD For singles I'm using an AUL 25 lb wing with the light aluminum plate and Delux harness (I like the sternum buckel), usually with AL 80's or LP Steel 72's. (UPDATE Aug 2006) The AUL Wing bladder blew out, and AUL went belly up. The seam gave along the top, and since the dump valve is cemented into the bladder, it's hosed... I'm looking for a new wing, hopefully a DiveRite or Halcyon (Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?) (UPDATE Jan 2007) Got 55 lb Halcyon. That's not overkill! I also have an old twin 50's rig on a plastic Scubapro backplate I use on the weekend or shore dives with an old horsecollar I've swiped from Moose.

Miscellaneous Most of the rest of my gear is interesting only in how long it's lasted. Mares Plana Avanti fins that everone says delaminate I've had for over 10 years, >500 dives and a cheapo USD silicone mask I've had since high school. (note the sweet off-hot pink in the top photo). (UPDATE July 2006) Had my eyes lasered and got a new, non-prescription mask. It's black! I'm like a ninja! A ninja that can do two more dives before blowing his tables!