DUI Demo days – Chiefland, FL Nov 8th

[nthewater]

First off, thank you to everyone that provided advice and guidance prior to the event. It was very helpful. Thought I would take a moment and give a summary of my experience there.


Overall, I really enjoyed myself. And I found the experience of diving dry tempting and not as hard of a transition as I expected. I want to thank DUI and all the volunteers for making it possible. While yes, I had a few negative experiences that I will comment on below, it should not take away from my overall appreciation at being able to try out the gear.


Weather was overcast and that probably keep the attendance down. As I would estimate maybe 30 or 40 people there. And I actually think I’m being generous with that number. I meet people who had attended the year before and they indicated there was a large drop off in attendance. Said last year there was a line for everything. This year – there was no waiting for anything – not even the food. So for me, made the event even better


Biggest negative. I parked in the back of the parking lot and had to haul all my gear down. Ya. I’m lazy. Found it a pain Keep thinking, wonder if anyone will notice if I drive my truck down the side walk


I knew which suit I wanted to try (TLS 350) and made my way through the measurements sections fairly quickly. Guy who helped me with zip seals was great. Lots of good tips and suggestions. A lady helped me select my suit and then handed me to another gentlemen to suit up. One comment here. With the place as dead as it was, I was having to hunt people down to help me at each station. Anyways, this last guy was more problem then help. I had to point out the second zipper on the suit and had to figure out how to lace up the rock boots by myself. Then I made the mistake of asking him questions on how to dive in a dry suit. Maybe it was just me, but he sure was not instilling confidence so I brushed him off and went down to the water. Asked if I needed weights (wearing double LP 85’s). They suggested 6 pounds. I was like ummm.. okay. I figured I didn’t really need it, but slide the weight on my belt and made my way down into the water. Got my quick brief of instructions and sent on my way.


First dive was at Friedman’s sink. HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will never complain about the flow at Ginnie ever again. That would be a pain to into that system that way. I pulled my way down to the entrance and was hanging on for dear life not to get blown off Okay, not quite that bad and I was right in the middle. But it was an eye opener for me.



Got bored quickly and went over to Catfish hotel to test the suit. Dropped down and played in the cavern zone for about 45 minutes. One thing I was curious on was if you still used your BC or just your suit. Found myself using both. The dry suit seemed to adjust too much for my liking. For example, moving up the water column 5 feet would cause a small vent from my shoulder. Had it wide open in the beginning. Tightened it down and that helped. But can see where it would take me probably 10 or so dives to get back to pinpoint buoyancy.



Biggest difference to me was that I was maintaining buoyancy with three bladders now instead of two (wing and lungs). When I dive wet, I don’t even think about it. Found myself thinking about it all the time dry. I’m sure that passes. But I seemed to always be making minor adjustments.


I only used the 150 gram undergarment and did not use a hood. So as far as warmth, honestly didn’t really notice a huge difference. Wet I dive a 5/4 with a hooded 3/2 vest. So for 90+ minutes, I stay plenty warm. But start to get chilled quickly after that.


I do see the appeal of diving dry. My dives are getting longer and getting out of the water in January in a wet suit can be brutal. BUT…. Worth 3 or 4 grand???? Not sure I like it that much... don't dive much during the winter.


Time will tell. But so glad and appreciate the opportunity. If nothing else, the idea of buying a dry suit is bouncing around my head were it was not at all before hand!


Thanks again to DUI, their volunteers, and everyone who provided support and suggestions on my earlier thread.

[jj1987]

Sorry to hear you had to figure out how to lace up boots yourself. I'm sure that was rough

Just a few non sarcastic thoughts/comments
1) You only use your BC for buoyancy typically, and the suit just enough to fluff the insulation in the undergarment.
2) If you didn't notice a big difference in warmth, you either had too light of an undergarment, didn't have a hood (dry suit without a hood isn't super effective since a huge portion of heat loss is via your head).
3) Coming from someone who owns a TLS, don't buy one. There's a reason the suit is named Total Leaking System. It's like spending $3k on a thin plastic bag that eternally leaks. Spend the extra few 100 bucks and get a FLX or Santi. I have never had a single hole in my FLX, my TLS had dozens (not exaggerating).
4) 6lbs with LP85's and diving dry really isn't much weight. If/When you get a dry suit, drain those tanks down to less than 500psi and see how little weight it takes to hold a deco stop. I'd guess that with 6lbs you couldn't do it without a SS back plate.

[Sludge]

On the other hand, I only wear a Polartec hood and never get cold. And my TLS-350 doesn't leak a drop. Nor did my first custom TLS-350, until it was about seven years old and needed a new zipper.

[nthewater]

Sorry to hear you had to figure out how to lace up boots yourself. I'm sure that was rough

Ya. ya ya... maybe I'm not the smartest cookie in the drawer, but two feet of extra lace had me puzzled

Just a few non sarcastic thoughts/comments
1) You only use your BC for buoyancy typically, and the suit just enough to fluff the insulation in the undergarment.

Thanks for the info. That's were I basically settled. But I'd find that as I ascended, my suit was venting air more then what felt needed. Then I would feel negative and have to add air to my wing.

2) If you didn't notice a big difference in warmth, you either had too light of an undergarment, didn't have a hood (dry suit without a hood isn't super effective since a huge portion of heat loss is via your head).

Ya. No hood.

3) Coming from someone who owns a TLS, don't buy one. There's a reason the suit is named Total Leaking System. It's like spending $3k on a thin plastic bag that eternally leaks. Spend the extra few 100 bucks and get a FLX or Santi. I have never had a single hole in my FLX, my TLS had dozens (not exaggerating).
4) 6lbs with LP85's and diving dry really isn't much weight. If/When you get a dry suit, drain those tanks down to less than 500psi and see how little weight it takes to hold a deco stop. I'd guess that with 6lbs you couldn't do it without a SS back plate.

The other acronym I have heard is: DUI - Dry until immersed

Good suggestion on draining the tanks to test weight. Honestly, just assumed I didn't really need any. I dropped the 5 pounds on the second dive and never had any issues. But also never had less then 2500 in my tanks either.

[deepdiver4]

I have had 2 TLS never had a leak out of either my newest one has zip seals Installed wouldn't buy any other suit. DUI is very proud of the suits "price" but I can't say anything bad about the construction.

[Squirrel Girl]

Once you've dived dry a few times, you don't even notice the deal about the extra gas management. I've had some issues with a particular suit that had too big of boots. But generally, it's smooth sailing.

[nthewater]

Once you've dived dry a few times, you don't even notice the deal about the extra gas management. I've had some issues with a particular suit that had too big of boots. But generally, it's smooth sailing.

Awesome. Thanks for the info! Must admit... the idea is starting to take hold in my mind a little. Knew I shouldn't have gone

[LiteHedded]

there are a few dry TLS suits out there. mostly older ones. and the owners of same will tell you TLS suits dont leak
i advise you to call gamble or EE and ask them how many leak tests they do on TLS suits vs the FLX extreme

[Squirrel Girl]

there are a few dry TLS suits out there. mostly older ones. and the owners of same will tell you TLS suits dont leak
i advise you to call gamble or EE and ask them how many leak tests they do on TLS suits vs the FLX extreme

Aw, come on. Give us a hint. I have a friend with a 7 yr old 350 and she says it now has a zillion pinholes if you hold it up to the light. Eventually all drysuits wear out. I know someone with a different brand and he's been gluing his time and time again. He's thinking of a DUI FLX Extreme. I'm seriously thinking on a DUI. I'd like to know what Gamble thinks.

Awesome. Thanks for the info! Must admit... the idea is starting to take hold in my mind a little. Knew I shouldn't have gone

Me, too!

[FW]

.. I'd like to know what Gamble thinks...

I know, he has told me many times. "Buy the cheapest neoprene suit you can find, bring it to me, and I will make a great suit out of it."