One of us 🥶 - Taking a new drysuit diver boat diving in the Hood Canal

[@AzulUnlimited]

If you've been on the fence about cold water diving, did this change your mind? ⛑ Become a DAN Member: bit.ly/DANMemberAzul ✈ Get your scuba diving trip insurance: bit.ly/DANTripAzul 🩹 DAN shop re-opening soon: shop.dan.org/ ✅ Join the Azul scuba community: www.patreon.com/c/azulunlimited 🤿 Upcoming trips: azulunlimited.com/upcoming-diving-expeditions/

[@lilypondgarage2968]

@@AzulUnlimitedanyone on the fence about about drysuit diving should just take the the plunge I definitely pays it’s dividends in multiple ways i dont even own a wetsuit

[@bodee1994]

@@AzulUnlimited I am here in Florida so 72° in the springs and the warm gulf stream down south, so it’s a five mm for now 🤿

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@lilypondgarage2968 100% it's so worth it

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@bodee1994 Sounds nice!!

[@FullySubmerged]

This was so well put together. Thanks for coming on the journey with me!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Happy to be your dive buddy any day!!

[@linek1234]

Sea slugs spotting: 8:42 alabaster nudibranch, 14:42 - yellow margin dorid, 14:55 - moon snail, 20:58 - pacific sea lemon, 21:01 monterey sea lemon (they do vary). Great content, thanks for sharing!

[@AzulUnlimited]

I love all the PNW critters!

[@MikeDodds]

8:22 I’m digging how Olivia is wearing her dive computer using the retaining loop on her suit!!! Very smart!!! 👍

[@AzulUnlimited]

Absolutely! She’s a smart cookie🙂

[@TrishT-me6nj]

Thanks!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank YOU! I really appreciate it

[@ScubaDiveAdventures]

So fun to see that we're not alone in enjoying cold water dives while staying warm and toasty! 🤿 Love all the sea life 🐟

[@AzulUnlimited]

So true!

[@theck672]

Great video start to finish❣️The longer format really is great for telling the story❣️

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate you saying that!

[@danahutchens5614]

Yes this is by far my favorite site. Many years ago when I taught I did all my open water classes there it was easy entry and exit for students plus you would always see wolf eels and Octo’s on every dive. I miss those days of turning people on to cold water it’s very beautiful and for color just shine a lite on it.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Hood Canal is definitely a special place!

[@sdmailman6393]

Great episode, ordering my dry suit Thursday. Enjoy Baja. I’m headed back to tulum soon.

[@AzulUnlimited]

That's awesome! You're gonna love it.

[@reking10]

When I got certified back in the early 90's in Eastern Canada we were limited to lakes and rivers. My instructor told me at the time, if you can dive here, you can dive anywhere. It didn't take long until I transitioned to a drysuit. The beauty of the PNW for diving is worth it. Drysuit diving in the PNW is a must as the best visibility is the winter. One can use a wetsuit for the first dive, but if you're planning several dives over the course of the day, go dry. Sarah, production wise this has to be one of your best videos. Have fun in Mexico.

[@AzulUnlimited]

I'm so glad you got to experience drysuit diving in the PNW! I think you'll agree it's amazing.

[@TrishT-me6nj]

Omg I loved this! I'm in NH and do not like the 7mm and coldwater diving, but I need to practice. Of course I'd love to go dive in the Puget Sound(and will one day!) A Drysuit may make the difference, but Ive been scared. So cute Abbey too❤❤

[@AzulUnlimited]

I think you'd love the Puget Sound! It's a great place to dive.

[@dougsmith6793]

Hahaha! My very first dive, at the age of 14 in 1966, was in Hood Canal -- it was the qualifying dive for the SCUBA course I just completed, a Christmas present from my parents. It was the first time I ever wore a wet suit, and the water was so cold that my lips turned blue around the regulator. But I passed the test, and has been one of the greatest Christmas presents anyone could possibly have.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Wow that's amazing! I bet it was a really incredible experience.

[@dougsmith6793]

@@AzulUnlimited It was crazy. It was a NAUI course in Portland, OR. All we had access to for water training was a large, but very shallow (6' deep, heated) swimming pool. So we never got the real feel of what it was like to be underwater until that dive. I had been snorkeling for a few years prior to that, in very cold waters in a lake in Michigan ... so I was reasonably comfortable in "deeper" water (uh, 20 feet), and even some pretty cold water. So at least I knew something about clearing my ears that several other folks in the course had no experience with, and had trouble on their check-out dive. We got up waaay early in the morning to drive from Portland to Hood Canal for our graduating / certification dive. After that, diving has been some of the most incredible experiences in my life -- Guam, Jamaica, Bahamas, Bimini aboard a live-aboard dive boat, and a week at a dive resort on Cayman Brac, boating from there to Little Cayman and the wall, and a gazillion dives locally in Florida spearfishing. Unbelievable. Beyond description. Thank you, Mike Nelson / Lloyd Bridges! I used to love that show late 50's! It's why my parents got me the SCUBA diving course to begin with.

[@dougsmith6793]

@@AzulUnlimited Your own adventures are so cool ... it's like watching "Sea Hunt" all over again.

[@kirbymcd1]

The macro shots were great! Team drysuit wins again.

[@AzulUnlimited]

It really does make a big difference!

[@curtisjohnson6735]

Love all of this and can't wait to see your future pnw adventures! Which sites were these boat dives at? The lovely vermillion rockfish at 18:25 used to be quite common across the state prior to 2017. Since then there has been a massive decline (90%?) and they are now virtually non-existent everywhere except for certain sites in the hood canal. Curious if you were near the pinnacle, pulali point, mikes, misery point, sisters, etc. To my knowledge no one tracks vermillion rockfish other than a handful of citizen scientists. I've yet to find any researchers aware of the trend or who has any theories why. Sadly there isn't really attention or funding for species that don't have profitable fisheries.

[@ScubaGirlsInternational]

4:11 I'm dying 😭😂😂😂😂

[@AzulUnlimited]

we had way too much fun with this :)

[@ScubaGirlsInternational]

@AzulUnlimited I can see that! I am almost certain the level of shenanigans in that crowd and the 2 of you are legendary. I need everyone to gather for another round of shenanigans in May/June when I roll through 😂😂☠️

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@ScubaGirlsInternational I think we can make that happen

[@ScubaGirlsInternational]

@@AzulUnlimited more shenanigans! Outstanding! Aaaaah! 😎🤭

[@cyrarichardson8889]

Beautiful photography, good lighting and nicely accompanied music. Love the wolf eels

[@AzulUnlimited]

Thank you so much! They are amazing creatures!

[@nfthach]

It’s a scuba goal for the coming year - getting a drysuit. I can tolerate wet but it’s not exactly pleasant either.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Drysuits make a world of difference.

[@nfthach]

@ I’m saving my pennies and dimes for one. I’ll get a Seaskin for now but looking out for anything used as well.

[@tw6570]

Just got dry suit certified myself in Monterey, CA. Now I'm off to purchase my own suit! I felt the same way about it - It's awkward at first but once you get used to it it's exhilarating having the freedom to dive in cold water. I'm so looking forward to more underwater adventures in my own backyard!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Congrats on your certification and I hope you find the perfect dry suit! If you have any questions, I can possibly answer them or I know people who would be happy to help!

[@bodee1994]

T-shirt idea! One of Us 🤿

[@AzulUnlimited]

OMG! Great idea!!!

[@sevans0628]

She nailed it with limiting tasks while learning drysuit diving…the struggle is real.

[@AzulUnlimited]

So real!

[@lilypondgarage2968]

I look forward to cold water diving in my area the water becomes crystal clear

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yes, winter diving often brings clearer visibility.

[@JimPhillips-ug2gh]

❤loove iiit!! Killer dive platform Grand Banks 32! Thats a fantastic temptation to get up north to go see my North Pacific underwater babies. Beautiful video as always and lots of fun!😊

[@AzulUnlimited]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😁

[@GinoNearns]

Thanks for the new video! Happy new year!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Happy new year to you too :)

[@Benctmoi]

This is such a dream destination for me. Would June been too late for the clear water?

[@AzulUnlimited]

Yeah, it's too late for that. Summertime is definitely murky water season. But, I will say, June/July/August was the timeframe I explored the PNW for the first time and I still fully enjoyed myself. Just don't expect great viz.

[@cyrarichardson8889]

Atina is amazing. I’m a huge fan of you both

[@AzulUnlimited]

Aww! Atina will love hearing that!

[@timgosling6189]

After doing my AOW in wetsuit, in 65F water in the UK, it was just so great to learn dry suit. Like you say, you come out warm, and dry! And now I can dive all year round. Next week it's going to be 45 in the lake but the bigger thing will be staying warm on the quay where it's only 35!

[@AzulUnlimited]

So true! It is a bit more challenging, but definitely worth it!

[@Calcium-Carbide]

I also live in Washington so it was cool to see some sites I have been to. I still dive wetsuit here though as I have not saved up for a drysuit of my own. I really enjoyed your videography with more macro-esque shots. What kind of gear are you using? I have mostly been doing photo underwater, always trying to do more video but my mind just doesn't seem to work that way. I have tried macro a couple times but I also struggle with being steady enough and getting enough depth of field. Seeing your video makes me want to redouble my efforts though.

[@jamesallemann1183]

Good video! I liked the reaction to the question "how was it?". I remember my first drysuit dives - I hated it, but I was warned that it would take about 10 dives to get used to the suit. As I used it more often I started to enjoy diving with it more and more. Now I wouldn't even consider a cold water dive without it!!

[@AzulUnlimited]

100% i felt/feel the same way about it.

[@stevecooper3510]

Under the blanket, Mexico…definitely living your best life :) I realize editing requires managing lots of variables. But, I like how you manage to allow some time to observe the physical characteristics of marine animals AND their behaviors, which are imo the most captivating parts of wildlife watching, aquatic/terrestrial.

[@anzeticus]

My new year’s resolution: this year I’ll buy myself a dry suit. Been contemplating getting one for ages instead of freezing in a double 7mm…

[@AzulUnlimited]

Omg yes! You won't regret it.

[@cadenseward2054]

My open water certification dives were in Hood Canal, shore dives off of Potlatch. We went in late November of this year. Even in a 2-piece 7mm it was COLD!

[@AzulUnlimited]

Shore dives in the canal are amazing!

[@DavidGonzalez-rg8tz]

Amazing

[@AzulUnlimited]

🙏 Thanks for watching!

[@johnmiskin4905]

Very nice photography and no fast cuts..Ha!! Why start with a neoprene drysuit with all the weight issues. Abbey looking so fresh Happy New Year

[@AzulUnlimited]

Neoprene drysuits have a much more wallet friendly price point. And there are some really solid neoprene drysuits out there. Abby says "Thank you!". Happy New Year!

[@axeffektt]

"I CAN'T PUT MY ARMS DOWN!!!!" -If you know, you know.

[@AzulUnlimited]

HAHAHA! I love the reference!!!

[@TheodoreJudah]

Wife and I are Sonoma coast divers and we loved all the sea life shown in this video. I'm drysuit certified and hope to get one this year. I was told that KY jelly works great for getting through seals. What do you use?

[@AzulUnlimited]

I have silicone seals and just use talc powder. I hope you get a drysuit soon!

[@mc-zy7ju]

Stay warm, had a friend move to a sailboat on Vancouver island and i think the winter broke him.

[@AzulUnlimited]

That’s why I’m spending a month in Mexico 🤣

[@grantmacdonald4838]

I'm a self donning trilam fan but the neoprenes definitely let you get away with a lot less undergarment. >90% of my dives are dry in BC and Washington, multiple per week usually solo so my requirements are different than someone who always has assistance to gear up.

[@AzulUnlimited]

It sounds like you've got a great system going!

[@grantmacdonald4838]

@AzulUnlimited if you want to explore any of the Whidbey Island sites drop me a line. I'm usually out with the DPV but happy to kick if I must. Looking forward to seeing what the south sound has to offer as well.

[@AzulUnlimited]

@@grantmacdonald4838 Sounds amazing. Can't wait to get further out there :)

[@paulwake]

What are those thin blue hoses?

[@paulwake]

Never mind, not hoses, figured it out.

[@AzulUnlimited]

Ah ok perfect. I was trying to figure out what you were talking about😆

[@MikeDodds]

Trying on dry suits is the WORST!!!! 😂

[@AzulUnlimited]

Totally! Honestly, it’s still a pain to get on even after so many dives, but it’s always worth it!!