Dutch June 10th

couped243 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject: Dutch June 10th

Well, I thought I would be in Dutch Springs parking lot like around 9:30. I guess I'm not used to the AM rush-hour traffic since I work 2-10 shift. 287 was a parking lot. Needless to say I wasn't there at 9:30 but the gates opened at 10 and I got there about 10 after.

I was meeting Mike there as well as another diving buddy of mine Frank who was filling out his waiver as I pulled up. I had printed mine and had it ready. Waivers turned in and through the gate we went. "Where's the peninsula side I'm meeting someone there" I asked "Oh Yeah Mike is already down there the gentleman replied, just follow the road to the right". Hmm the man has connections I made a mental note, could come in handy one day.

We found Mike putting up a nice tent to keep the sun off. It was a very good idea since it was blazing out there today. A few pleasantries exchanged and dive talk commenced. I was diving dry for the first time today as well as diving a BP/W and a pony for the first time...Yes it was definitely a day of firsts. Mike shared some knowledge and discussed some procedures before we donned our suits. My buddy Frank was diving wet but he had a really nice suit that kept him relatively warm throughout our dives. I wasn't really sure how much weight I would need with all this gear. I brought plenty just incase and opted to try 6lbs on the first dive.

Dive one was pretty interesting.. My XL Jet fins were too big for the boots on my dry suit..Luckily I had my other fins in the truck and I quickly swapped them out. Mike wanted to see how my weight was so he had me step off the ramp. I was sinking pretty fast...hahaha I left my weight belt on the dock..

Down the line and to the platform we went. Hmm buoyancy…What’s that? Oh yeah that sense of floating through the water…NOT Then Mike gives me the chicken wing sign or the “hey vent your suit bud” signal. Ahh I see….air out buoyancy good? Well not really…work in progress I guess. After a quick bit of acrobatics (Mike had me do a front flip around one the beams by the platform to see if I had floatie feet) we were off to the silver comet. From there we hit the crane where things got a little silted up.. I opted to take a different route over the crane so IT WASN’T ME…hahaha We hit one of the walls and then a wooden boat where I got my first look at a rebreather in action..It was pretty cool really quiet. All the while I struggled here and there with my buoyancy. After a 45 min dive we were on the ramp and I had put a good dent in my HP119 I had 500# left. Breathe Much!!! Much too much!

After a good surface interval we were off for dive 2. We did a surface swim to the Helicopter. Once there we headed down, “Where’s your buddy”? Mike gestured. A quick look up and some cold water down Mike’s neck we see Frank still hovering at the top.. He was having some equalization issues but after a few mins he made it down. A few swim throughs and then Mike took a heading to the bus. He was pretty close with his compass, with the bus just off to our left. Hey my buoyancy is much better, I’m floating!!! A quick ride on the bus and we headed back towards the comet. Mike ran a little simplified wreck reel class there, trying to get me up to speed for my future wreck dives. Although I hope my buddy will be running the reel the first few times…LOL After the class we headed back to the ramp. Not a bad second dive and a whole lot better with the buoyancy. I had a 1000# left in my tank…hahaha

Thanks Mike had a good time…Worth taking a day off, and now a full Wreck Valley Diver

nick · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject:

Great report Jay, good job with the first Dry suit dive. Practice with that reel dude. It looks reel easy on land but not at all the same in water.

couped243 · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks Nick,
Mike gave a demo on land and then at the end of our second dive he ran a reel on the silver comet...Definitely looks easier than it is. I'll need to see it done a few more times but I think I'll get it eventually. Hope to see ya there next time

Jay

RJP · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 11:42 pm Post subject:

couped243 · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:59 am Post subject:

I would love to get out there but it may be a little tough this Friday RJ. Let me look at the schedule and see if I can swing it. I'll let you know if I can make it.

Jay

mb104 · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

Friday is no good for me too. Although I'm off that day, I'm working Thursday night from 6:30 pm until 6:30 am on Friday.

nick · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject:

Surelyshirly · Member Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 863

Wow Nick! Sorry to hear that.....hope youare feeling better soon...

Jay...sounds like you are doing just fine......so where is the obligatory pics of you driving the bus and flying the helicopter?.....

couped243 · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject:

Wow Nick that really sucks!!! I hope you can start feeling better soon, all the best to you... You can still come out and be our surface support.. Very Happy

Cheryl, it would have been great to get some underwater pics but unfortunately Mike nor my buddy Frank brought their UW cameras. I don't have one as of yet but we did post some surface pics on NJdive. I'm hoping to get off shore soon so maybe I'll see ya there...

Jay

mb104 · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:28 am Post subject:

XJae,

Just to let you know, this dive makes Couped243 a full member. He did two dives with me on the 10th. Also, his friend, Frank, said he would register in order to be given this coveted title. Laughing