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Joined on
3/12/2006
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My wife and I are currently taking the classroom course at Burr Ridge. She was wondering how cold the water will be at Haigh Quarry in April when we may take the open water tests.
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Joined on
3/12/2006
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I took my open water training there last year. The facility is very clean and well run. I trained at about the same time of year, late April, the water was amazingly clear. The water conditons were cold and the air temperature was cold. We wore 7mm two piece wetsuits. When we first got in the water it was a shock. Not the most comfortable experience for my first training experience. If I did it again I would train locally later in the year like June or July when the air temperature is warmer. Seemed like I was most cold out of the water. If I would have had another option in April I would have taken it, such as Florida. You can get through it if it is your only option.
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Joined on
1/15/2006
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Darrick likes to train there because and I quote "If you can dive in Haigh Quarry, you can dive just about any where else!" It also gets you prepared to dive in Lake Michigan if you so desire.
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Joined on
1/19/2006
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I did my OW dives there in the month of November. The water temp. was in the low 50s and we wore the 7mm 2-pc suits you referenced. While it wasn't the tropics, the body does acclimate to the water temp. due to the functionality of the neoprene and the thin water layer against your body. The bigger issue for me was the cool air when out of the water after a dive, but that's to be expected. Make sure you bring warm clothes, hat, gloves for when you're out of the water and you'll likely be fine. (Will power is an amazing thing.) Also make sure you have food as your body may burn a little more energy adjusting to the cold.
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Joined on
1/28/2006
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Going to FL is nice but I would recommend to do advance training at the quarry. It is a challenge to be in low visibitly situation and accomplish your compass navigation. It will also allow you to appreciate the warm clear water of FL more.
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Joined on
1/19/2006
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I completely agree...especially on appreciating warm water (and greater visibility.) It's a shame when someone who has done their OW checkouts in warm water comes to a Midwest quarry/lake and leaves disgruntled because it's colder and has lower viz. than they previously experienced. They're missing a nice training ground and the ability to keep current on skills (unless they can afford to travel regularly throughout the year.) As for navigation, I think low viz. is the only way to train it. When the skills are needed underwater, I suspect conditions will likely be less than ideal (ie, dark, silt-out, disoriented, etc...). In any event, I too believe there are benefits to training in a quarry environment.
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Joined on
3/13/2006
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Yes,I agree if your really gonna take up this sport hone your skills at the quarry.
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