David Strike wrote:

> This is going to sound condescending and it's not meant to be, but I
rather
> think that you may have task loaded yourself by trying to dive the system
> straight away from a kayak rather than practicing with it - and gaining
> greater proficiency in its use - by diving it from a more stable platform
> like a boat or jetty.  And for preference having somebody topside tending
to
> the hose until you find a configuration that you're happy and
comfortabler,
> with!  :-)

When someone with your experience in this kind of diving speaks to someone
with my obvious lack of experience in the same kind of diving, it can sound
condescending.  Don't let it bother you.  I invited and still invite the
critique.  Sometimes condescending is what it takes to get through. 8^)

I'm sure your are correct.  I can think of several things that worked
against one another to make this a more unpleasant experience.  The
combination of things that went wrong are, individually, relatively easy to
overcome.  Knowing the problems is, as usual, a first step to solving them.
In this case, the task loading was exacerbated by the fact that each problem
I had added to the annoyance of the others.  I wasn't simply task loaded, I
was task loaded and mad about it.  It was not a combination which promotes
success.  8^)  At any rate, I'm going to try your suggestions, including the
stable platform, etc., I'm just not going to apply them to kayak diving . .
. at least not any time soon.  Thanks again.

Lee