Tips for Divers

The DIY blog for DIR divers

03/02/2014
by Stefan
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How to cut seals (dry suit)

How to cut seals? You need a pair of (sharp) scissors and seals

How to cut seals? You need a pair of (sharp) scissors and seals

When buying a new drysuit or when changing the seals before diving, you always have to cut the seals.

The seals on the arms and neck are present with drysuits to prevent the entry of water into the suit.

It is important when cutting, that you use a sharp pair of scissors. Blunt scissors tend to leave a frayed cut. These frayed sides are potential weak points where the seals could crack.
So if you have previously cut paper with scissors, these are not good enough for the cuffs, since blades can get blunt very quickly.

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06/01/2014
by Stefan
8 Comments

wetnotes and wetnotes tools

wetnotes and wetnotes toolsFor underwater communication, there is light communication and communication via hand signals. This is enough for 90% of all your dives. However, once you are no longer understandable, there is the so-called wetnotes. These are writable under water plastic pages, usually packed in a protective Cordura shell and used like a book.

As standard, wetnotes come with a strap, so that you can attach a bolt snap carabineer, a rubber strap that holds the closed Wetnotes and, depending on the design, diverse subject areas where you can store small items. Today I would like to report on the possibilities of fastening it and a few small parts:

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25/11/2013
by Stefan
9 Comments

How to knot a bolt snap onto the backup light

How to tie a bolt snap onto the backup light

How to tie a bolt snap onto the backup light

If you dive with backup lights, then you will have wondered, where the lights could be mounted on the equipment. On the one hand, they should not interfere with the diving, but on the other hand, they want to be close to hand should the primary light fail. One possible solution is to provide the backup light with a bolt snap carabineer and then attach it to the harness.

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17/11/2013
by Stefan
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Knot elastic bands in the dry suit pockets

Knot elastic bands in the dry suit pockets

Knot elastic bands in the dry suit pockets

If you already have pockets on your dry suit’s legs, then you may have become determined and annoyed at the installed D-rings (or similar). A simple method to easily reach the equipment in your pockets is to use elastic bands that allow you to keep the equipment you use outside of the pocket. I want to show you an easy way to integrate this into your pockets:

For securing the elastic bands, there are several possibilities. The one I want to introduce to you is where the bungee line is threaded through one of the side rings on the dry suit pockets (see picture).

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10/11/2013
by Stefan
8 Comments

Secure backup light on the harness

Secure backup light on the harness. You need: Bike tubing, a pair of scissors and a backup light

Secure backup light on the harness. You need: Bike tubing, a pair of scissors and a backup light

If you like diving with one (or two) backup lights, then the question may arise, how do I fix them on? On the one hand, the lamp should not interfere with the diving, but on the other, you should be able to reach it quickly if you need it. If you going with a wing, backplate and associated harness, then there is a very simple solution that I would like to introduce to you today:

You need:

All that you will need for this is a backup light (of course) and a backplate with a harness. Otherwise, you only need two things:

  • Bike tubing (about as wide as the webbing on your harness)
  • A pair of scissors

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03/11/2013
by Stefan
4 Comments

Stage bottle rigging

Ankündigung_StageDo you want your safety reserves for the gas supply to expand a little? Or would you like to begin with technical diving? Then a tage bottle or “stage” will get a new piece of equipment for you. How does one rig this right, with carbines, etc., equipping them so that you can dive comfortably? Therefore I would like to introduce you to this article:

For rigging you need:

  • 2 bolt snaps
  • Line (about 1m)
  • 1 clamp
  • cover for clamp (tape or bike tubing)
  • 30cm tubing
  • 2 rubber bands
  • Stage bottle and regulator

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02/09/2013
by Stefan
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Attach a bungee loop onto the light head

Step 1: Where can the bungee line be attached?

Step 1: Where can the bungee line be attached?

If you and your dive partner dive with tank lights, then it will have certainly happened to you before, where you have shone them directly in their face. For example while shooting a buoy. This happens because the beam shines straight forward from the clipped lights. There is a simple but effective solution: a small bungee line attached to the back of the lamp head. Using a double-ended carbine you can then attach the light head to the chest D-ring. The light beam will then shine on the floor below you.

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01/09/2013
by Stefan
13 Comments

Prepare backup regulator for wearing it around the neck

TfD_Backup1When diving with a backup regulator,  always keep asking yourself the question every now and again “where is it stowed while diving?” A very good variation is to wear the backup regulator around your neck. This gives the advantage that you always know where the regulator is, and you can put it easily in your mouth. Here, I would like to introduce to you, a simple method to convert your backup regulator to support this:

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26/03/2013
by Stefan
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How to set up backplate and harness

Backplate and Webbing

Backplate and Webbing

In this article I would like to show you the correct setup of the backplate and the harness associated with it. The webbing is continuous and only has one buckle on it across the stomach. The crotch strap is separate. Before you do your first dive with the backplate and the wing, you should make sure that absolutely everything is setup correctly. The benefits that you gain from diving with a wing are very much dependent on correctly setting up the backplate and harness. If at all possible, put the harness on whilst you are also wearing either your undergarments or a wetsuit.

Proper guidance of the webbing

The image on the right shows you how the harness is properly threaded.

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