Robert Scammell
PADI Examiner
PADI Asia Pacific
The Way the World Learns to Dive®
I got some pretty strange looks a few weeks ago from the IE candidates in Bali as they were gearing up in their 3-5mm wetsuits for the open water session of the IE and I was simply jumping in the water with a pair of shorts and a Probe NeoFleece long sleeve top.
Funny thing being that the candidates were expecting to spend about 45-60 minutes in the water and I was expecting to spend at least twice this amount of time.
Not a big deal as you would expect, water temperature in Bali to be quite high, in this instance it was at 29c. However as an Instructor Examiners we are hovering underwater pretty much motionless observing candidate teaching presentations.
I was at a depth of 7m in Sanur Chanel on Bali for 2 hours and 20 minutes, with each candidate group being underwater for some 45 minutes each. Despite the initial strange looks from the candidates, implying that I must be crazy just jumping in for the planned time in just a pair of shorts and a thermal neoprene top, I must admit to being as warm as toast throughout the whole dive.
Having had the Probe NeoFleece for some 6 months now, I have found it to be an essential tool of my trade. Being light easy to travel with, quick drying and most importantly giving adequate exposure protection for most of the environment's I am required to work in.
So the 5mm shorty I used to use has been boxed away in preference for the Probe NeoFleece top and a pair of shorts, which certainly take up less room in my luggage and offers similar if not better exposure protection.
Recently we conducted one of the largest IEs in Koh Tao with around 60 candidates' and although these would be shared amongst four examiners each examiner would be in the water for sometime. Of particular concern was the pool environment as the pool we planned to used was known for being chilly as it had little direct sunlight being shaded on three sides with the fourth facing onto the sea and December being a chilly month along with the fact Koh Tao had been experiencing some pretty cold on shore winds.
Again the candidates were in 3-5mm wetsuits along with my colleagues and again I got the strange looks as I donned my top & shorts. Which each candidate group being in the pool for 45-60min I spent over 3 hours in the pool environment. With candidates complaining frequently of the cold pool I felt perfectly comfortable due to the snug fit of my NeoFleece top helping to maintain my core temperature.
Overall the Probe NeoFleece is constantly proving itself a winner keeping me comfortable in environments were I constantly see others complaining of the cold while wearing full wetsuits of 3-5mm thickness. Its lightness and ease of drying are added bonuses to its exposure protection. It's a great product, well done Probe!
Cheers, Robert Scammell |
