I STRUGGLED with DPV diving for the first time - Task loading with a dry suit, sidemount & camera

[@AzulUnlimited]

How was your first experience on a DPV? 🤿Dive with me in Mexico or Komodo: azulunlimited.com/upcoming-diving-expeditions/ ✅ Join the Azul scuba community: www.patreon.com/azulunlimited

[@Teampegleg]

Bought a Blacktip on a whim two years ago, still haven't gotten it wet. I realized after the fact that I wasn't ready for Cave DPV, and I don't do much openwater. But this winter I will finally pull the trigger on Cave DPV.

[@AzulUnlimited]

It’s good you’ve waited until you’re ready. DPVs in caves is serious business. I would love to hear how it goes🤙

[@user-zy7wf7tu4g]

I recently tried DPV too and it was an amazing experience. I have learnt 2 lessons from your great video: 1) if possible have your 1st DPV dive with tested / usual gear. if anything is new with the gear have a try dive without DPV 2) errors or omissions might happen even to extremely experienced divers and great instructors like you. acknowledging facts as you did with honesty and “no ego”attitude, this really is one level up: role model 👌🙏

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you! 100% agree with you about testing gear first. As an instructor, I'm used to diving with whatever and just making it work... student is having mask problems? Take mine. Need more weight? I've got you covered.... didn't work out on this dive 🤣 cold water diving is constantly humbling me. Thanks for the comment!

[@DaneDurand-y9g]

Sarah! 🤙🏼 What an awesome video!!! It was amazing to meet you and Abby 😝 and get the chance to dive with you! Thanks for the shout out, would love to dive you again any time your back in the Monterey Bay Area (maybe with a little more led weight next time!) 😂

[@AzulUnlimited]

I’m taking all the weight next time🤣🤣🤣🤣🙈

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks again! You’re a great COURSE DIRECTOR👏

[@mikesbigadventures194]

The team at Aquarius are amazing. Love them. That’s where I bought my Blacktip Tech.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hell yeah. Abby and I felt right at home with them 🥰

[@fishman241]

That's super fun! Aquarius is the dive shop my buddy and I always go to when in Monterey. Nice to see the shout out.

[@AzulUnlimited]

They’re great. Monterey has the best diving community 🥰

[@leeb6193]

Had a great dive with you and Dane. Thanks for a great video.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank YOU for setting it up! So much fun 🤙🤙

[@tanabobbi]

Nice white Apex fins!! Also, I like all the DUI dry suits!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yen let me borrow those! Really enjoyed diving with them

[@janinacooper4199]

Eeek, i love scooters! They are so much fun!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yes they are! I hope to play with them more in the future :)

[@CircleHScuba]

Love the new intro to tell newcomers who you are!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you! I always forget that part of the video 😅

[@gbsailing9436]

Scooters are so much fun. But I'm glad you added the warning Not to use them to go up or down. As you would know, going UP specifically can be fraught with danger for those inexperienced divers as depth can change quite quickly using a DPV. This combined with a unthoughtful breath-hold event can easily blow a lung or may trigger ear equalisation problems - including vertigo, etc. This is typically easier to do in shallow water (as the pressure change is greatest in the first 9m), but also because this is where people first feel the freedom and relaxed nature of using a DPV and so they 'tend' to 'play' more with them in this shallow range. Going down has it's own unique set of problems too. Personally, I think agencies should offer to teach DPV certs over either a half day or full day course which would include, emergency ascents, buddy contact etiquette, maintenance, and charging, etc. Perhaps they could combined this with other short courses like, compass refreshers or use of Bail out bottles, and gear maintenance, etc. to make a full day course for those that want to hand around for a full day. Great video again this week! Bravo!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you! Yes, Lee was doing a course like that, learning all the details of DPV diving from Dane. I was just along for the fun🤣

[@davidb5195]

Looks like a great time

[@AzulUnlimited]

It really was 🤙

[@adityanarain2225]

Awesome

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you!

[@theck672]

Abby 🐕 did a great job filming the surface shots! 🎬🎥❤

[@AzulUnlimited]

She's a great little assistant :)

[@tanabobbi]

I’m gonna have to go back to Aquarius and rent a DPV! Aquarius is a great dive center and the #2 DUI dealer/seller in the US! Guess who’s #1?!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hahaha I swear, your calling really is in PR. We all need to be your official clients💙😘

[@SeattleRingHunter]

7:32 we can feel your embarrassment but fortunately you had a stellar crew to assist you with additional lead. I love my Piranha DiveX scooter and what a blessing to have found them several years ago in my back yard in the Pacific North West. WA based business and amazing products with intelligent designs. Love the DeWalt tool batteries very smart plan. Reliable propulsion units 👍👍👍 My dive schooler has saved me so much wasted energy in my recovery missions and generally greatly enhanced my level of safety in the water! Go team DPV! 🐠🐟🐬🦀🦑 🤙🤿😎 Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hell yeah. That’s awesome

[@stevemellor7989]

I agree DPV are fun when exploring large areas. Saves you a lot on air consumption too, cause you’re not having to work.

[@tonfleuren3536]

That's true. The flipside is that you get cold if you're in colder water, because you're not doing any work. Then you go to electrically heated undergarments... stuff gets expensive quickly! A DPV like the Suex XJ-S will set you back about 6k, heated undergarment with canister is about 1k, and that's assuming you already dive in a drysuit, otherwise you can add another 2.5k. As they say, get your kids into diving, so they won't have money for drugs!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Absolutely! Would definitely like to try it again

[@AzulUnlimited]

That’s why I wore the extra undergarment! Definitely worth the extra weight😅

[@Yggdrasil42]

@@tonfleuren3536 Yep I recently noticed that on a DPV dive here in The Netherlands. I was getting cold even WITH my heated vest and gloves. The increased flow of cold water over your face also seems to affect this. Definitely entertaining though and a great way to cover distances.

[@fabherod]

It looks exciting to dive with a DPV!! Here they're not common (you only see them on PADI manuals)😂

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hahaha I get it. They’re expensive toys*cough*tools

[@tonfleuren3536]

The sound from your van sounds like a slipping belt, it may just need tensioning or replacement, shouldn't be expensive. I've only done a single DPV dive, but I found it much easier than expected, I didn't lose my buoyancy once when stopping. You can tell if you're positive or negative by looking at the angle of the DPV; if it's pointing up slightly, you're using it to compensate for being negative, likewise, if it's pointing down while moving, you're positive. If you keep an eye on your depth and adjust by feel you should be close. I was in backmount, so no complications from sidemount or filming, that probably make quite a bit of difference. I'm a little disappointed you didn't do any loops, they are great fun, although very disorienting at first. You should try that next time (with a lot of bottom clearance)!

[@AzulUnlimited]

So… only Dane got to see it but I definitely tried a twist and hit the sand🤣🤣🤣 we had a good laugh underwater at that

[@AntwanArzabala-u3y]

Adams Spring

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you!

[@locodiver8665]

You’re not wrong about the weight/ underwear ratio. 😂 I go from 6lbs in the summer to 22lbs in the winter because of my thick underwear. Crazy

[@AzulUnlimited]

I just had only ever been diving in my yoga clothes and wool sweater. What a difference real undergarments make! I was toasty warm🥰

[@locodiver8665]

@@AzulUnlimited I dive year-round up here (ice-diving too), and proper thermals are amazing if for only one reason above others: they still keep you warm even if you have a leak/ flood. I’ve had leaks and never even knew until I realized there were damp spots on my thermals. Well worth the expense

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@locodiver8665 Absolutely. I'm getting an upgrade in that department very soon...

[@BrandonSchmit]

Do you have to take a course before renting a DPV? Also, why do you pull a vacuum before you use the device? How much is a rental?

[@leeb6193]

Yes, you have to have the DPV cert to rent. you pull the vacuum to ensure your DPV is sealed up and you have no leaks.

[@MaDeVa71]

Can I have info on the vacuum system? How did you install it?

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks for jumping in, Lee. People with big fancy camera systems also pull a vacuum on their housing. When you’re dealing with expensive equipment, you want to ensure everything will be safe.

[@observingrogue7652]

@11:32 Can someone please tell me what this is? A chain of jellyfish?

[@AzulUnlimited]

They are an anemone part of the genus Metridium, also known as plumose anemones, are sea anemones found mostly in the cooler waters of the northern Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They are absolutely beautiful, especially when they are open.

[@observingrogue7652]

@@AzulUnlimited Thank you.

[@MikeDodds]

Did you happen to note whatever impact diving with the DPV had on your SAC rate??? I’d love to know…. Inquiring minds and all that!!! 😂

[@AzulUnlimited]

Dude. I was so uncomfortable... I blew through my air. Good thing I was on sidemount 😅