View Full Version : My Diving Experiences
catherine
11-12-19, 1:03pm
Tradd, I love seeing this progress. Horizontal! In the lake! A lake that would terrify me in a boat! I keep remembering how uncertain you were at the beginning. I am in awe!
I agree! So cool to see you "diving in" to this experience (excuse the pun)--since you pretty much fell into it. Life has a crazy way of showing you to where you should be.
Isn't Lake Michigan pretty cold this time of year??
I agree! So cool to see you "diving in" to this experience (excuse the pun)--since you pretty much fell into it. Life has a crazy way of showing you to where you should be.
Isn't Lake Michigan pretty cold this time of year??
This wasn’t Lake Michigan. It was a former stone quarry in NW Ohio.
Where in northwest Ohio? I grew up in Fulton county.
I’ve thought about getting into diving, but no way could I get the wife interested. There are several sites near here that are popular dive sites. And the Keys are not that far away.
ill just have to stick with snorkeling for now. Maybe I’ll get into it a little when I buy a boat.
Now I’m thinking I need to stop in at a local dive shop. I wonder what this is going to cost me. At least I wouldn’t have fees to get into the water.
Now I’m thinking I need to stop in at a local dive shop. I wonder what this is going to cost me. At least I wouldn’t have fees to get into the water.
I don’t know where you’re located, but Rainbow Reef Dive Center in Key Largo has a very good reputation and is a good place for getting certified. Do classroom/eLearning at home with pool dives and the certification dives in FL.
lmerullo
11-13-19, 12:25pm
My son is a dive instructor in Florida. I can get you a great deal, let me know.
Im in Punta Gorda, it’s a little north of Fort Myers.
His home base is Cortez (Bradenton), but I think there's a shop in Venice. I'll ask about farther south.
“Ottawa”
My backyard! I lived in Defiance for about 15 years before moving west.
I have some very exciting news to share. Yesterday I officially signed up for my really advanced diving class next year. Advanced Nitrox/Decompression Procedures/Helitrox combo. This will get me down to 150ft (approx 50 meters). It will also allow me to spend more time on shallow wrecks. You learn how to do staged decompression stops on the way up. Helitrox is breathing gas with 20% or less helium. The helium takes the edge off the narcosis you can get on the Great Lakes due to cold and lower visibility. I’m so excited I’m bouncing off the walls. Had a good 30 min chat with my instructor yesterday. We’ve scheduled pool time in Jan and Feb, and classroom time in Feb. I’ve got one of the three textbooks done/questions answered (had actually done them originally last winter out of sheer boredom). I’m doing a private class. Not cheap, but why not get the one on one attention?
You (and diving) have come a long way. I remember Jacques Cousteau and his clunky gear. I can't wait to see where you go next.
lmerullo
11-14-19, 12:16pm
So exciting! I am in awe of the progress you've made!
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I’m still in awe myself!
Course I’m taking:
https://www.tdisdi.com/tdi/get-certified/helitrox-diver-course/
First wreck after class.
https://youtu.be/bKvp9OO1AH8
Eerily beautiful. And tranquil?
All done with my bookwork for the class. Instructor told me how much he appreciated me turning it in so early. :D
Just working out a lot now. Pool dive next weekend, just working on stuff on my own.
Amazing how much progress you have made in your diving skills and having so much fun along the way! Enjoying seeing these wreck videos, always was interested in Great Lakes shipwrecks and as a Chicago born and raised person, some major wrecks are right in "the neighborhood" so to speak
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This is my goal for this year after I get my technical diving cert after finishing class this year. I’ve been obsessed with this wreck after I first saw a pic of it right after I was certified 3 years ago. Thomas Hume, 3 master schooner that carried lumber from Muskegon, MI to Chicago. She’s smack dab in the middle of the lake, 150ft deep (perfect since my class will certify me to 150ft). She sank in May 1891. All 3 masts are still on the wreck. They became unstepped during the sinking and are laid across the rail on one side.
Pool session for class next week.
A friend took this photo last year.
Had first pool session for tech diving class yesterday. Was pretty good. Knew I’d have things I’d need more practice on and those are exactly the things I suspected.
Best part: I climbed out of the pool via the deep end ladder with my double tanks on! Needed a few pulls on the valve, which I need on the boat anyway. Super happy! I’ve been spending a LOT of time on the recumbent bike at the gym and my quads definitely show the results. Yay!
Another pool session in two weeks.
Good for you! That photo gives me the shivers, I can't imagine something I'd want to do Less than be trapped under water next to that. (Which only makes me even more admiring of what you do, don't get me wrong. Go Tradd!)
Tradd, you are very inspiring!! We may not all be divers, but we can learn from your passion, persistence and discipline.
Class got interrupted due to the stupid plague. Pool sessions were cancelled due to the public pool being closed. Last classroom session ended up being done online, but that was OK. Worked just fine. Our local quarry usually opens at the beginning of April. It's only opening June 1 (next Monday). I did a weekend up at a Wisconsin lake (former quarry - Wazee Lake near Black River Falls) for my class two weekends ago. There were three other students, all guys. They had all been out of the water since last fall, except maybe for some pool work. All three of them are regular open water diving instructors. We all would ordinarily been diving at one of the quarries since the beginning of April, but hadn't been able to due to the stay at home orders. It really showed in our diving. We all went away with a list of things to work on. My instructor and I have tentatively scheduled the last weekend of June for a full weekend of dives at our local quarry. Once I show I can do the skills decently, then we do two weekends at the WI quarry, as it's deeper.
I’m in the process of buying a boat. I’m very interested in diving, but I’m thinking I may just stick with snorkeling for now.
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Went to two OH quarries late last week to dive with two divers from MI and OH who helped me practice for my class. I had switched some things with my gear so weighting had to be readjusted and now that my buoyancy is good, I can move on the practicing other things. The photo is the result of two days of very hard work. My instructor was pleased when he saw the photo (actually screen grab from video). You’re supposed to be as horizontal as possible. That small tank on my left side? You practice dropping and picking it back up without much change to your buoyancy. Much harder than it looks!
rosarugosa
6-15-20, 6:15am
Glad you finally got to go diving, Tradd!
Well, it's been a fun run but I'm giving up diving. Let's call it "local diving politics" and leave it at that. Dive shop/dive boat owner didn't like a bit of criticism I gave on a diving forum and banned me from the local boat. Diving for me is only the way to get to see Great Lakes shipwrecks. If I can't dive the Lakes, it's not worth it. My budget will be much happier without me diving anyway. At least most of my gear will have good resale value.
Wow Tradd, I am really surprised that you are giving up something you loved so much.
Tradd, You must have been angry about the banning. I'm sorry you won't be diving so much or at all.
I'm so sorry, too. Wish there was another boat or another organization; that is so sad.
Teacher Terry
7-1-20, 1:04pm
That’s really petty of the boat owner. What a shame.
Tradd, I just had to share the newest shipwreck with you from last week up here:
https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/plans-for-sunken-boat-remain-murky-state-says-salvage-and-coast-guard-says-maybe-not/article_504d4274-b63b-11ea-ae77-2b67ac89feaf.html
It looks completely normal down there on the bottom. Amazing.
iris lilies
7-1-20, 4:54pm
Tradd, I’m sorry to hear that.During this period of unemployment maybe it’s fine to give up your hobby for a while. But is that the only boat that goes out on the Great Lakes With divers?. Do you mean there’s no one else who services divers?
Tradd, I’m sorry to hear that.During this period of unemployment maybe it’s fine to give up your hobby for a while. But is that the only boat that goes out on the Great Lakes With divers?. Do you mean there’s no one else who services divers?
My local dive boat operator has a boat out of Chicago, Milwaukee, and one on the side of Michigan’s Thumb. I’d have to go up to Milwaukee for two other dive boats, but I’m fully expecting the owner to try to get me banned on the two other Milwaukee boats owned by different people. Really vindictive jerk.
Because my dive shop is owned by the same people who own the charter boat, I would have to find another dive shop for air fills and service if I wanted to keep diving. I'm not sure. I have two friends who have already indicated what they would buy of my gear.
Tradd, I just had to share the newest shipwreck with you from last week up here:
https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/plans-for-sunken-boat-remain-murky-state-says-salvage-and-coast-guard-says-maybe-not/article_504d4274-b63b-11ea-ae77-2b67ac89feaf.html
It looks completely normal down there on the bottom. Amazing.
I saw that on FB when it sunk. Reports were that they had 10 people on that boat, which was way too many.
I saw that on FB when it sunk. Reports were that they had 10 people on that boat, which was way too many.
Yes, 10 people is correct, they had to be rescued by the Coast Guard, who took them for medical attention as water was 45 degrees. Supposedly, as that sounds very cold for June 19 but of course they were far out.
Yes, 10 people is correct, they had to be rescued by the Coast Guard, who took them for medical attention as water was 45 degrees. Supposedly, as that sounds very cold for June 19 but of course they were far out.
That water temp is normal on the Great Lakes!
It can't possibly be that close to shore as I have swum in it and I would never be able to swim in something that cold.
Okay, just checked on where I swim, today:
(Today) 4th Jul 202018.2°C / 64.7°F
Teacher Terry
7-4-20, 12:16pm
Lake Michigan is always freezing. The farthest I have ever gotten was to my knees.
Lake Michigan is always freezing. The farthest I have ever gotten was to my knees.
I feel so rugged. I swim every summer!
iris lilies
7-4-20, 3:06pm
I feel so rugged. I swim every summer!
Funny, I was just thinking that. You rugged Northerners! I cannot do those winters! Boy the cool crisp air this time of year is so attractive though.
There’s a cadre of people in St. Louis who go up north to the great lakes this time of year and you can understand why.
Teacher Terry
7-4-20, 3:40pm
We swam in all the local small lakes but Lake Michigan is way too cold. Tybee, you are a bad ass:))
We swam in all the local small lakes but Lake Michigan is way too cold. Tybee, you are a bad ass:))
Thank you, Terry, I don't think anyone has ever called me that!!
Well, apparently I'm not giving up quite yet. I was talked into diving tomorrow up in Madison, WI in Lake Mendota.
A local diver - even before the falling out with the boat/dive shop owner - put me in contact early this week with his instructor that he's been taking a really advanced class with. She's my age (early 50s) and the same size/body type (this is important for later). He mentioned my struggles with getting the two tanks on my back up the boat ladder. She suggested that I would be better off with sidemount (tanks on each side of me). I had tried sidemount two years ago and it didn't work well. Hot mess off the boat. Anyway, I talked to her last Sunday and we made arrangements to dive off her boat this weekend. After the falling out with my local dive shop owner, I cancelled with her. Told her I was giving up diving. She wanted to know what was going on and called me. I told her everything.
She has a very interesting perspective on the dive shop/dive boat local to me. Said she doesn't socialize with them at all and doesn't patronize that dive shop unless she absolutely cannot get something elsewhere. She called them a "boys' frat club." Looking back on some things, this really clicks.
She's going to show me how to dive sidemount off her boat the proper and efficient way. The back mounted double tanks were causing me issues with some other things you have to do for the class (reach behind your head and turn them all off and on - important if there is a leak). With sidemount, the valves are right under your armpits, not behind your head, so you can easily see where a leak is coming from. She's loaning me her sidemount harness (since I sold the one I had two years ago) and loaning some bits and pieces (different hose lengths, etc) to convert my regulators for sidemount.
She's donating her time. She's the one who told the local diver who put us in touch that I should come dive with her. I fully expected to pay her something for her time. I offered some $$ for boat fuel and she wouldn't even accept that! Very generous. She's apparently had great success with very enthusiastic middle aged women divers who were struggling.
So we shall see how tomorrow goes.
I feel so rugged. I swim every summer!
I'm with you, Tybee. I don't know how Lake Michigan compares with Lake Champlain, but I've already swum in the lake off the boat this summer. It was great. Since moving up here, swimming in the lake is my favorite outdoor activity.
Official badass designation passes to Catherine, where the water temp today for her area is a whopping 61 degrees!!
Tradd, I am SO glad you are going diving with this lady--this is great news.
Official badass designation passes to Catherine, where the water temp today for her area is a whopping 61 degrees!!
Really??? Wow, I must be becoming a Vermonter! The water was chilly when I jumped in, but it was fine after the first couple of minutes. To be honest, the 61 degrees must be an average temp of the water across all depths--the surface water had to be quite a bit warmer. It felt closer to 70. (ETA: it had to be even warmer than 70... I read that 75 is the minimum temp for comfortable swimming. honestly. I'm not THAT badass.).
I love diving in 41F water. Nice and refreshing. LOL
Tradd, I am SO glad you are going diving with this lady--this is great news.
Today was FAB! She showed me how to clip the two tanks to two separate lines in the water hanging from the boat. Climbed ladder with no weight on me at all. Heaven! Then I pulled the two tanks up, one at a time. Not difficult. Just needed to be shown how to do it. Now I practice.
Today was FAB! She showed me how to clip the two tanks to two separate lines in the water hanging from the boat. Climbed ladder with no weight on me at all. Heaven! Then I pulled the two tanks up, one at a time. Not difficult. Just needed to be shown how to do it. Now I practice.
So pleased that this worked out for you. You love it, Tradd, so find a way to make diving continue to give you joy. May I suggest that you read The Genius of Women by Janice Kaplan. There are numerous accounts of women who had to take a detour to continue to succeed, and still are doing today and needing to do. Go girl!
Here's where we went swimming in Lake Michigan yesterday--it was SO beautiful, and I brought my board and just floated around with my chin on the board; so relaxing I almost fell asleep:3325
Here's where we went swimming in Lake Michigan yesterday--it was SO beautiful, and I brought my board and just floated around with my chin on the board; so relaxing I almost fell asleep:3325
Gorgeous!
I'm happy this turned out for the best; I love when life does.
Here's where we went swimming in Lake Michigan yesterday--it was SO beautiful, and I brought my board and just floated around with my chin on the board; so relaxing I almost fell asleep:3325
OMG, gorgeous, Tybee!! So glad you had that experience.
iris lilies
7-6-20, 10:11am
Here's where we went swimming in Lake Michigan yesterday--it was SO beautiful, and I brought my board and just floated around with my chin on the board; so relaxing I almost fell asleep:3325
lovely! I wish it wasn’t so much coronavirus in Michigan because I might take a little trip there in August or September to get away from the heat here.
Here's where we went swimming in Lake Michigan yesterday--it was SO beautiful, and I brought my board and just floated around with my chin on the board; so relaxing I almost fell asleep:3325
Cools me down and refreshing just looking at the photo.
lovely! I wish it wasn’t so much coronavirus in Michigan because I might take a little trip there in August or September to get away from the heat here.
There’s always WI. And the UP of Michigan has much less Covid than the Lower Peninsula.
Teacher Terry
7-6-20, 11:51am
Northern Wisconsin is my favorite place near Ashland and Hayward. Copper falls state Park is really beautiful.
So pleased that this worked out for you. You love it, Tradd, so find a way to make diving continue to give you joy. May I suggest that you read The Genius of Women by Janice Kaplan. There are numerous accounts of women who had to take a detour to continue to succeed, and still are doing today and needing to do. Go girl!
That's interesting you posted that. I was thinking back about when I took my sidemount class two years ago. You have to strength thick bungee cord around the tank valve to hold the top of the tank under your armpit. I don't have a lot of hand strength and was having massive issues with it, even when I switched to thinner and stretchier cord. The instructor's response was that I needed to build hand strength. The woman instructor's way for dealing with it? She added a small loop in the bungee cord to make it easier to get a hold on the cord to stretch it over the tank valve.
I"ll check out the book.
early morning
7-7-20, 6:56pm
Just read through this - I'm so glad, Tradd, that you are continuing to dive. I really enjoy reading about your underwater adventures.
A friend of mine has his own dive boat and is taking me diving on Lake Michigan tomorrow. :D
Things have a way of working out.
iris lilies
7-8-20, 4:35pm
A friend of mine has his own dive boat and is taking me diving on Lake Michigan tomorrow. :D
Score!
Teacher Terry
7-8-20, 5:12pm
Great!
Had ear issues so needed to abort the dive today but got up close to a thousand foot Great Lakes freighter so that was awesome.
The dive shop owner is not letting up on his postings online. Just keeps piling on me. He is lower than pond scum.
Got the partial refund I wanted from the class. Now waiting on my refund of credits on dive boat account.
Had an absolutely lovely time with the WI woman instructor. She is just awesome. She spent several hours with me getting my new sidemount (tanks on my side) harness adjusted properly. Got tanks filled for my trip to the Straits of Mackinac this weekend. I'm going to be doing a cavern diving class with her this fall/winter. Overhead environment, but you are still within the light zone - can see the light from outside. Will be very good training for the rest of my diving. They dive a former mine in SW WI all fall and winter. It's a cheap way to keep diving all year round. Wrecks in the spring/summer, mine in fall/winter. If that goes well, maybe an intro to cave class, too. I never through I'd do this! Will really help the rest of my diving.
early morning
7-21-20, 11:56pm
Tradd, that sounds totally awesome! I am fascinated by the freighters. When I was little, sometimes on vacation we'd go up to the Soo to watch the ships - which were not as large as they are now. It's all fancy now, with viewing platforms under roof, I hear. I've not been since mid 60s. I don't swim, even, but I love the Great Lakes, especially Superior. I really enjoyed your underwater wreck photos and hope you'll share more of them in the future?
Freighter is the James R. Barker.
334133423343
Earlymorning - check out the Boatnerd.com website. The "Fans of Know Your Ships" has the best freighter group on FB.
I was at the Soo last year. There is a nice visitor's center and you're under glass to watch boats locking through.
I will be in the Straits of Mackinac this weekend, so I will certainly have photos to share!
Teacher Terry
7-22-20, 1:42am
Such a beautiful place!!
I really enjoy the photos, keep 'em coming!
rosarugosa
7-22-20, 8:35am
I'm so glad you didn't give up your diving!
iris lilies
7-22-20, 11:11am
Diving! The height of summer! A job that funds it all!
You are living the life sister.
Monday I'd still not seen a refund for my $843 from the dive boat, so I sent a polite email asking for an update. No response. This morning I was going through my email trash file looking for something, and found an email from the dive boat/dive ship owner. It was sent within 30 minutes of my email asking for an update on refund. He tells me to stop making negative comments about them, otherwise they will take legal action.
I'd not posted on the diving forum since the whole thing blew up, but I have told some folks what he did and the back story.
Timing is rather suspicious. He doesn't want to give the refund. I could take them to small claims court, but it is just not worth the trouble. I want to concentrate on my new job and getting my diving going again with the gal instructor. I'm sure he doesn't want me to come after them for the refund. I just want to move on.
Diving! The height of summer! A job that funds it all!
You are living the life sister.
:D Someone else made a similar comment yesterday.
I suggest you get an attorney to send a letter; that usually works.
Jane, I’m done. I want to get on with my life. I’ve already given this guy enough space in my head. I got $500 partial refund for the class. I got something.
Teacher Terry
7-22-20, 12:52pm
I never let someone screw me out of what I am owed no matter how small the amount. In your case the amount is not small. I would tell them to pay within 3 days or you will take them to small claims court. A threat is usually enough. This worked with a car dealership who tried to cheat me out of 500 and a realtor who pulled a fast one and I ended up paying a extra 1k in commissions. After closing I gave her 3 days to give me the money before I went to the realtor board and blew up on social media.
iris lilies
7-22-20, 2:40pm
Stop. I just read your 7/21 entries. Cavern? Cave diving?
Ummmm, that stuff is not allowed. That terrifies me. You can’t do that.
Stop. I just read your 7/21 entries. Cavern? Cave diving?
Ummmm, that stuff is not allowed. That terrifies me. You can’t do that.
I knew at least one of you had said something about that in the past, but couldn’t remember who and was too lazy to search.
iris lilies
7-22-20, 2:43pm
I knew at least one of you had said something about that in the past, but couldn’t remember who and was too lazy to search.
I you were my daughter I’d give you money not to do that.
The cavern is the size of about 4 massive garages together. It’s where they drove huge dump trucks into the mine. I’ve been inside shipwreck cargo holds that were smaller.
https://youtu.be/kThr4ZeuqvY
Video is of the mine.
Teacher Terry
7-22-20, 11:30pm
I had a 27 year old coworker who was a only child with severe asthma that took up diving because of her boyfriend. They cave dived and I know it involves lots of classes, certifications and practice. They went into small ones. Actually I was relieved when she transferred because I really liked her, was her mom’s age and it terrified me.
Terry, I don’t like squeezy stuff, as I call it. The gal instructor does. She’s sort of bad ass. Actually a member of the women’s diver hall of fame. She’s the first diver into the cave in this video. No Mount means you’re pushing your tanks ahead of you and they’re not attached to you. Think that’s just absolutely nuts myself.
https://youtu.be/WtlwoX1YEmg
Teacher Terry
7-23-20, 2:01am
Glad you don’t like the tight caves. I can’t imagine not having the tanks strapped on. I am glad you love diving and that you are staying safe.
I can't even look at that tight cave photo, much less the video. I can feel panic starting up just looking at it.
I can't even look at that tight cave photo, much less the video. I can feel panic starting up just looking at it.
Ditto!
This one is fun. Not squeezy. You don’t have to watch the diving part. The fun part is what they have to do before diving. Driving through farm fields. Donkeys in the next field.
https://youtu.be/jglSX-LVGls
Cavern/intro to cave class will be Oct/Nov.
Got a lighter pair of tanks after seeing another woman with them. Only 20lbs each. Fab!
Was at Devils Lake in WI yesterday. State park. First time being around other people who aren’t divers while I’m diving! People were hiking on the little road between where we were parked and the little beach where we entered the water. Lots of questions. One guy said he wished he could dive but he was a scaredy cat. I told him if I had the balls to do it, so did he! The look on his face was priceless! Remember, I was scared of the deep end of the pool! Devils Lake is gorgeous. We saw a bald eagle while we were floating on the surface.
Funny pic from yesterday.
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Teacher Terry
8-31-20, 10:21pm
Devil’s lake is beautiful!
Sunrise yesterday. About 630.
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Lovely, Tradd. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us.
Tradd, These posts just make my morning! I'm so inspired by you. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Tradd, These posts just make my morning! I'm so inspired by you. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Aww, thank you! Glad you enjoy them.
Ran into jerk dive shop owner at quarry today. He remains a jerk.
Finally got to see how I look sidemount and with my new tanks. I look FAB! The woman instructor said I looked awesome! This is much better than two tanks on my back! I'm horizontal like you should be. :D
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early morning
9-15-20, 11:40am
So are the tanks under your arms? Do they get in the way of your movement at all? And thanks for posting - diving is something I'll never do - I don't even swim- but it's lovely to hear about it and see it virtually!
So are the tanks under your arms? Do they get in the way of your movement at all? And thanks for posting - diving is something I'll never do - I don't even swim- but it's lovely to hear about it and see it virtually!
No, they don’t get in the way. And if you have to shut them down in an emergency, they’re right under your arms. Much easier to see which one might be leaking and to shut it down. With two tanks on your back, you can’t see what’s leaking and doing a valve drill behind your head was like wrestling with a demon for me! Not easy at all. This is so much easier.
It is sounding as though the 'jerk' did you a favour by guiding you to a mentor that suits you so much better.
It is sounding as though the 'jerk' did you a favour by guiding you to a mentor that suits you so much better.
I had already been put in contact with her, but yes, the jerk pushed me to have her as a mentor.
My class book FINALLY arrived at the Madison dive shop Thursday. They had ordered back in late July or so. When they checked on it mid-late August, the books had been stuck in the Chicago distribution center for two weeks at that point. They're still there! They ordered again, but the place that sends out the books misplaced the order and didn't send it out. They were only sent out early this week. I got the call at 5:30 pm and was on the road to Madison within a half hour. Four hour round trip dive but I wasn't going to trust the book to the mail!
Looking like class is going to be in Nov. I announced it on FB and people were shocked I'm doing it since I'd said I'd never do "wet rocks in the dark." A couple of older ladies did the expected "be safe"
And I found out today that one of the three dive boats owned by He Who Shall Not Be Named went down with mechanical issues in mid-August and is out of commission for the rest of the year. I'm just thrilled. Absolutely delighted. He is getting what was coming to him sooner rather than later. No one was hurt, and it's going to hit him in the pocketbook.
Oh, and the $843 he wouldn't refund that I still had on my boat account? A friend is moving from the Chicago area out west. She has about $500 left on her boat account. It would hav been used up but a lot of charters have been cancelled the last month or so due to weather. She's asked for a refund and he won't give one to her. She even offered to send him a copy of her transfer letter from work (her job is transferring her) and he still said, nope!
Teacher Terry
9-19-20, 3:56pm
If you put the charges on a CC dispute it. I disputed my airfare 9 months after booking and got refunded.
Really, Terry? I should do that!
Teacher Terry
9-19-20, 10:44pm
Yes I decided I had nothing to lose. I did it with 2 airlines. I had 2k at stake and didn’t want credits.
Doing my solo diving class the middle of October with folks I know in OH. It's simply so I can mooch around the shallow side of the quarry if a buddy cancels (such as happened this past Saturday) or if I want to practice skills on a platform for an hour without boring buddy.
He Who Shall Not Be Named (dive shop owner who has given me such trouble) will NOT quit. Somehow he found out I'm doing my solo class this weekend with a dive shop out of OH. People gossip, so that's likely how he found out. Anyway, dude has the nerve to call the OH dive shop to try to get them to kick me out of the class as, according to him, I'm an "unsafe diver." OH dive shop owner told He Who Shall Not Be Named to pound sand, that he's actually dived with me multiple times, he's never seen anything in my diving to give him concern, and to mind his own business!
That is crazy. He....Named is doing himself harm as he will get a reputation of being a malicious jerk and ruin his business. Good for the OH shop diver to speak up about full confidence when diving with you.
Got my solo diving certification yesterday. Yes, I am certified to dive alone.
HUGE confidence builder. There was even a 200ft long no mask swim following a line. Much more fun than it looked (I went second).
You have to be a experienced diver to even take the class. You have to prove you have minimum 100 dives. I have around 315.
Teacher Terry
10-19-20, 11:30am
Congrats!!
iris lilies
10-19-20, 11:44am
Woah, another big milestone! Good for you.
Ironically, this has been a good year for you, Tradd. What an accomplishment!
Ironically, this has been a good year for you, Tradd. What an accomplishment!
Yes, it has, hasn’t? Thank you. Took four years and approximately 315 dives.
early morning
10-19-20, 4:18pm
way to go, Tradd! Congrats!
catherine
10-19-20, 4:48pm
He Who Shall Not Be Named (dive shop owner who has given me such trouble) will NOT quit. Somehow he found out I'm doing my solo class this weekend with a dive shop out of OH. People gossip, so that's likely how he found out. Anyway, dude has the nerve to call the OH dive shop to try to get them to kick me out of the class as, according to him, I'm an "unsafe diver." OH dive shop owner told He Who Shall Not Be Named to pound sand, that he's actually dived with me multiple times, he's never seen anything in my diving to give him concern, and to mind his own business!
Way to go, Tradd!!
Virtual elbow bump, Tradd! That's super.
I’ll be doing cavern/intro to cave Fri-Sun of Thanksgiving weekend.
I’ll be doing cavern/intro to cave Fri-Sun of Thanksgiving weekend.
You are having wonderful adventures and sharing, which is wonderful for us. Have a great time!
Thank you, Razz! Diving up at Wazee Lake in WI today. Hope to have some photos to share later.
Got some great photos from yesterday. One of the buddies had a great camera rig. Have to upload the photos here.
It struck me that when you go diving, you are stepping off the madness of the world into a peaceful relaxing space. Great to see these photos!
It struck me that when you go diving, you are stepping off the madness of the world into a peaceful relaxing space. Great to see these photos!
Yes, absolutely!
early morning
10-26-20, 1:40pm
Tradd, thanks for posting these - amazing!!
That last one of me just below the surface is really neat.
frugal-one
10-26-20, 4:12pm
It was cold last weekend. How was the water?
52F. Got some water in my suit my accident. Frozen :)
catherine
10-26-20, 4:25pm
52F. Got some water in my suit my accident. Frozen :)
Wow!! I love that we all here got to go on this journey with you!! Thank you for sharing the pictures.
Wow!! I love that we all here got to go on this journey with you!! Thank you for sharing the pictures.
Glad you’re along for the ride.
rosarugosa
10-26-20, 6:15pm
Great pictures, Tradd. The bird in the cage is hilarious! About the upcoming cave diving, I thought Iris Lily had forbidden such activities?
Great pictures, Tradd. The bird in the cage is hilarious! About the upcoming cave diving, I thought Iris Lily had forbidden such activities?
IL is neither my mother nor the boss of me! :D
catherine
10-30-20, 12:36pm
I was just on Facebook and I follow the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and they shared this news item (https://suncommunitynews.com/news/83983/emmy-winning-diver-visits-lakes-sunken-treasures-for-tv/?fbclid=IwAR1lWRB0xHefEOfdzwFBajd7C8pn961yJyF9ww1E RV28UEHFjSo0Wjj7_2k) about a show about diving in Lake Champlain. Thought you might be interested, Tradd
I was just on Facebook and I follow the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and they shared this news item (https://suncommunitynews.com/news/83983/emmy-winning-diver-visits-lakes-sunken-treasures-for-tv/?fbclid=IwAR1lWRB0xHefEOfdzwFBajd7C8pn961yJyF9ww1E RV28UEHFjSo0Wjj7_2k) about a show about diving in Lake Champlain. Thought you might be interested, Tradd
Thank you! I’ll see if I can watch it online later.
iris lilies
10-31-20, 8:23am
IL is neither my mother nor the boss of me! :D
I just plug my ears and sing la la la when this topic comes up. It is too scary for me to know about.
Teacher Terry
10-31-20, 2:59pm
I had a work friend that did cave diving and had severe asthma. I liked her a lot but was glad when she transferred out and I didn’t know what was happening. She was a only child and I am sure her parents worried.
I had a work friend that did cave diving and had severe asthma. I liked her a lot but was glad when she transferred out and I didn’t know what was happening. She was a only child and I am sure her parents worried.
The severe asthma concerns me more than the cave diving. I really don’t know how her doctor signed off on her diving if she had the asthma.
Teacher Terry
10-31-20, 4:51pm
She was only 27 but had been hospitalized in the past for asthma. I wonder what the law’s here are about that. Maybe don’t need a doctor’s permission?
She was only 27 but had been hospitalized in the past for asthma. I wonder what the law’s here are about that. Maybe don’t need a doctor’s permission?
You DO need a signed medical form for training classes if you answer YES to any of the questions on the form. Asthma is a HUGE no. I can't imagine any doctor approving someone with asthma to dive. It's an automatic no. I have to get a signed form each year due to allergies (can interfere with equalizing on descent).
I have recently seen some episodes of the BBC series "Time Team" where the crew performed underwater archeology on shipwrecks. It looked fascinating and overwhelming all at the same time. I don't know if the heebie jeebies would overtake me if I tried it, but it looks incredible.
Just out of curiosity, how much training did you have to do to qualify to dive?
Open water class, which is the basic certification. Nitrox, advanced, and rescue are the next normal ones. I want to go deeper than recreational diving limits - which is 130ft - so I need additional training. This is called technical diving. Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, and Helitrox (helium to 35%) will get me down to 150ft. I'm obsessed with Great Lakes shipwrecks.
The cavern/intro to cave class later this month is also tech diving, but this is non-decompression class. We'll be no deeper than 70ft.
I've been diving for four years and have approximately 315 dives.
Teacher Terry
11-1-20, 11:40pm
I was curious and depending on the type of asthma, etc some people do get cleared to dive from doctors.
The problem is that some GPS don’t fully read the medical form and just sign off on people. Other people lie about their medical conditions.
There was a case with a Boy Scout whose parents didn’t indicate he had asthma and he ended up dying on the first dive of his certification course (some BS troops get certified).
From what I read online, the UK doctors are a bit more lenient with signing off on asthmatics diving than in the US.
My open water instructors were a couple of whom the woman was a nurse. She had one or two bad experiences with divers who had asthma. A sign off by a GP wasn’t sufficient. They had to be signed off by the specialist and have proof they did the exercise test indicated in the form guidelines. She went above and beyond but given she had a medical background and with the experiences she personally had with students, I can see why she did it.
Teacher Terry
11-2-20, 11:05am
My youngest son had asthma from ages 1-12. I wouldn’t even let him camp with the cub scouts:)). He was triggered by allergies and I didn’t trust the adults to recognize he needed medical help and get it soon enough. Luckily near the Wisconsin Dells there was a camp that was donated every summer to kids with medical conditions staffed by volunteer nurses and doctors. So one week every summer he got to camp. They would set aside 2 weeks for a certain condition and then the next week it would be something different. Ironically I developed it at 50.
@Iris Lilies
Pearl clutching time - my cave diving class is this weekend. :D
Full report to follow.
iris lilies
11-25-20, 8:47am
@Iris Lilies
Pearl clutching time - my cave diving class is this weekend. :D
Full report to follow.
lalalala ....my ears are plugged....
@iris lilies
Today was fun and I’m still alive.
iris lilies
11-28-20, 8:16am
@iris lilies
Today was fun and I’m still alive.
sigh of relief...thanks for reporting in!
Teacher Terry
11-28-20, 10:13am
Glad you had fun.
Great, Tradd. I look forward to the report!
Just got home. I’m beat. Very challenging and rewarding class. I passed. Yay!
I have to write up the class for you, but it was a great learning experience. I’m amazed I passed my first try and not needing any extra days past our initial weekend. I’m exhausted and it was hard on my body b
Yay! Tradd. You've made me smile this morning! congratulations on meeting this goal!
Yay! Tradd. You've made me smile this morning! congratulations on meeting this goal!
Thank you! I had one heck of a mental swagger yesterday. “Look what I DID!” :D
Gal instructor is just fab. OMG. She’s not mean when she honestly critiques you. So many of the big instructors are. She has no testosterone poisoning like so many of the young guys. It’s awesome getting to train with her.
I’ll post a photo of the dive site later. Pretty area back in the country.
Dive site is near Platteville, WI. Right where WI, IL, and IA meet. The mine entrance is at the far end of the pond, 25ft deep.
We went no deeper than 70ft. The mine has been explored to 110ft deep a half mile back. We only went in about 500ft for class. We actually did a circuit on the last dive. Went in a circle. You use markers on the guidelines.
I was shocked when instructor said I was doing pretty well at the end of the first day. Said I showed improvement each day and my diving was really changed at the end of the course. I know what I need to work on.
I now have access to the mine to dive whenever the instructor is there, which is pretty often this winter as she will be teaching a lot. More people with $$ for cave classes since they’re not doing travel and more are interested in local diving. I have a few people to dive with already. They are really experienced but don’t mind helping the newbies get experience.
I’m seriously considering doing my full cave class next fall. That means more complex navigation, etc. For intro to cave you’re redirected to main guideline only and only 1/6 of your tanks.
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A local diver I know who is part of the group from the old dive shop, but as a gay libertarian doesn’t agree with the owner’s politics, told me that whenever I had something major happen diving-wise, to make the FB post shareable and he would share it on HIS FB page, so He Who Shall Not Be Named, and others associated with that dive shop, would see it.
He did that with my passing intro to cave. He said getting a cave cert from X (gal instructor’s name) is not easy. He said I’m also just about the toughest and most stubborn diver he knows (and that’s saying something). As he told me privately, success is the best revenge. :D
Good for you, Tradd. Adventures await!!!
rosarugosa
12-2-20, 3:39pm
That looks like a pretty area, Tradd.
Rosa, it’s very pretty. No facilities, though. We walked a bit down a path and peed behind the trees. :D
A buddy I’d dive with at the local quarry now considers me “too dangerous” to dive with since I got my cave cert.
Ironically, I’m even safer to dive with since I got my cave cert. You can’t be a dangerous diver and get your cave cert. The training is far beyond what the average recreational diver gets.
Oh, well, their loss.
happystuff
12-6-20, 9:34am
Very impressive and congrats on passing the cave class.
Teacher Terry
12-6-20, 11:54am
Your dive buddy is stupid because cave divers need more skills.
Your dive buddy is stupid because cave divers need more skills.
Bingo! She has about 30 dives or so. I told her with that attitude, I wouldn’t be diving with her anymore. I tried to tell her about how intensive the training is, but it went in one ear and out the other.
iris lilies
12-6-20, 12:11pm
A buddy I’d dive with at the local quarry now considers me “too dangerous” to dive with since I got my cave cert.
Ironically, I’m even safer to dive with since I got my cave cert. You can’t be a dangerous diver and get your cave cert. The training is far beyond what the average recreational diver gets.
Oh, well, their loss.
Oh come now, you know that is bad ass. That they consider you dangerous. That is a brag!
That reminds me, my nephew named one of his children a common modern first name with a middle name of “ Danger.” Very odd, since my nephew and wife are about as Standard issue white-bread as you can get.
so Tradd, change your middle name legally to “Danger.” Ha ha
Haha, IL. Yep, I do consider that as bad ass. :D
I’ll be mine diving next weekend. I have at least two experienced people to dive with. I was actually invited for this weekend but wanted to chill since last weekend was so intense.
My new drysuit shipped from the manufacturer in San Diego Wednesday so it should be here this week! Can’t wait.
I listen to a podcast called Scared to Death. During last week's episode, they told a listener's story about a cave in a Florida lake that is supposedly haunted. I thought of you, Tradd!
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I listen to a podcast called Scared to Death. During last week's episode, they told a listener's story about a cave in a Florida lake that is supposedly haunted. I thought of you, Tradd!
Interesting!
Picked up my new drysuit in Madison today. Fits like a dream. Expensive but worth every penny. It was custom.
rosarugosa
12-8-20, 5:33am
Stylish! What is a drysuit?
Stylish! What is a drysuit?
It’s not a wetsuit! Seriously :). There are seals at neck and wrists and a waterproof zipper. You wear insulating stuff underneath. Fleece is popular. You put some air into it for warm and to keep water pressure from shrink wrapping you in the suit as you descend. Keeps you much warmer than a wetsuit.
You look like a very chic Navy Seal.
You look like a very chic Navy Seal.
:D
It’s made in San Diego. Company has been there for 60 years. Glad it’s US made. The US military (including CG) does buy suits from DUI. Company offers a ton of color choices, etc. I love my purple and I’ve been eyeing this pattern for several years. Cadillac of drysuits.
Keep that photo as a special memento of all the adventures of 2020. You have had a lot of positive ones to treasure.
Keep that photo as a special memento of all the adventures of 2020. You have had a lot of positive ones to treasure.
Definitely will!
It’s very weird but I’m getting the vibe that some diving friends are very uncomfortable with me being cave trained. The most recent one is a gal I dove with a lot on the lake last year and the year before. She got cave trained last year. We text occasionally. I let her know how much I enjoyed class, how neat the mine was to dive. Thought she’d be interested. Crickets. She texts me back and talks about other stuff, but doesn’t say a word about my class. She talks about HER upcoming cave diving trip to FL. I mention it to a mutual friend. He said she bought into the lies He Who Shall Not Be Named posted about me being an unsafe diver, even though nothing ever happened when we diver together. She think I have no business in a cave/mine and is questioning what the heck the instructor was doing by certifying me.
Goodness! It never stops.
I guessed that your nemesis might be behind this latest development. Odd business--but carry on.
I guessed that your nemesis might be behind this latest development. Odd business--but carry on.
That’s what I guessed myself. Oh, well. No big loss. Just odd.
happystuff
12-9-20, 11:32am
Nice dry suit - very fashionable, actually!
I don't understand why someone else has "issues" with what you learn and don't learn re: the cave class? Why in the world would this person think you shouldn't be doing it?? Sorry, I just don't understand not celebrating/cheering someone on when they learn something new.
@happystuff
I don’t know either. But if they’re going to be that way, better to just ignore them. The stuff I do is all up on FB. If someone can’t be happy for my successes, that’s their problem. Unless she’s jealous she can’t have access to the mine. That is a possibility. She is a FL cave diver. I have a number of cave diving friends who are seriously green with envy that I’ve got a place to dive 3 hours away instead of the 15 hours whatever it is down to FL. But if you’ve not had a class with the instructor, you don’t get to dive in the mine.
Teacher Terry
12-9-20, 12:02pm
I am always happy for people and their achievements. Just stupid and petty to be jealous.
catherine
12-9-20, 12:26pm
I really like the dry suit, too!! I'm amazed you dive in WI in the winter! With all of your past and future training, would you ever dive for money? I'm thinking of rescue operations and even weeding aquatic invasives--stuff like that.
I really like the dry suit, too!! I'm amazed you dive in WI in the winter! With all of your past and future training, would you ever dive for money? I'm thinking of rescue operations and even weeding aquatic invasives--stuff like that.
No interest. Plus for rescue type diving, you need public safety diver training.
Sold the 4 remaining small tanks I had started out with. Guy will pick them up tomorrow for $700 cash in hand. I can definitely use the extra space and the cash will be nice.
I am always happy for people and their achievements. Just stupid and petty to be jealous.
Well, the gal texted me today to ask about something, so I seized the bull by the horns and asked her why she hasn’t said a word about me getting cave certified. First off, she’s jealous as hell that I have a dive site 3 hours away that I can dive many weekends, while FL is 15 hours away. She also thought I was copying what she’s doing. Mine diving in WI is far from FL cave diving. Last but not least, she’s upset I get to dive when she’s out of the water for months. She lives with a relative who has multiple health issues so this gal goes nowhere for the time being due to covid.
happystuff
12-12-20, 10:57pm
How sad for her. Sounds like you were the recipient of her disappointments, frustrations and personal hardships. I'm glad you were able to find out why she was behaving the way she was. Kudos to you for "seizing the bull by the horns". Don't know if it makes it "easier" for you or not, but at least now you know and have some answers/explanations for her behaviors, etc.
Photos from diving today. 20F air temp. Water is 50F year round.
I’m so pleased with how horizontal me and my tanks are. As they’re supposed to be! My new drysuit really stands out underwater.
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rosarugosa
12-14-20, 5:33am
Great pictures, Tradd!
Signed up for my ice diving class. Late Feb/early March up in Madison.
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I went diving on Saturday at the mine near Platteville, WI. Air temp was 0F when I got there. Water temp was 48F. We had a short dive (40min) as one buddy had a light issue and the other had a bit of a leak from drysuit zipper. It was still fun. Great to see friends I’d not seen since before Christmas. Yesterday was warmer, but 2”-4” of snow was forecast. The mine is on a county road miles and miles off the main road and it’s not a good road in dry weather.
It was so cold when we were done that our gear froze within 5 min out of the water. One of my regulators was frozen to the tank and wouldn’t unscrew. Had to do that at home. New drysuit kept me dry and I was toasty with heated vests and merino wool undies.
Teacher Terry
1-25-21, 9:58am
You crazy woman:)).
Intrepid you! Who says you can't have fun during a pandemic!
Intrepid you! Who says you can't have fun during a pandemic!
Exactly. Easy to social distant outside and you’re safe underwater.
I’m diving about once a month, which is good to keep my skills up. I’d prefer to dove more often, but buddy availability has been less than I would prefer.
I am so in awe of your drive and bravery.
This is the mine where I did. A guy was allowed to take a camera in on the last dive of their full cave class recently. So they went in further than I would. 30 minutes long but gives you a good idea of what it’s like if you’re interested.
https://youtu.be/gGGERmdos28
I am so in awe of your drive and bravery.
Thank you!
Glad that you are enjoying this sport and sharing it with us.
Ice diving class in WI this weekend. Hope to take my camera on the last dive.
Teacher Terry
2-25-21, 11:10am
Your pictures are beautiful.
Your pictures are beautiful.
Thank you!
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Class went well. Two dives yesterday, one today. Water temp was 38F. Ice diving is HARD work. The chain saw to cut the hole was too heavy for me to handle. I used the manual ice saw some. I did things like make sure the lines (rope) we used were all straight, no knots, etc. Lots of younger fellows who were great for carrying gear and such. Gorgeous, warm weather yesterday. Misty, foggy, and mid-30s today. My new drysuit undies kept me warm and toasty.
Help getting my gear on before a dive yesterday.
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In the water before going down.
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Holy cr*p. A whole other level of diving there. Did you have to slowly acclimate to the colder temperatures? Does your wet suit keep you at a stable temperature? Are you afraid of not being able to find your way back to the ice hole, or are you tethered the whole time? Do you see different species of fish in the winter?
I'm used to cold water. DRY suit. I also have a heated vest. :) Look at the photo of me sitting on the edge smiling widely. You can see I'm quite bundled up. We're tethered all the time. There were divers from the Dane and Racine County sheriff's dept in the class, too.
Didn't see any fish. The ice fishermen were going for trout, they told me.
This was a ton of work. Don't see me doing it again soon, anyway.
iris lilies
2-28-21, 7:35pm
Our Emergency response guys were practicing ice rescue I. A local pond last week. It seldom gets cold enough to freeze this pond.
That looks...not fun. But I am glad Tradd is enjoying it.
I read Wim Hof's (The IceMan) book, The Wim Hof Method, and one of the key components is cold exposure. He believes it has numerous health benefits, in conjunction with the other components of his method--which are breathing and meditation.
Our Emergency response guys were practicing ice rescue I. A local pond last week. It seldom gets cold enough to freeze this pond.
That looks...not fun. But I am glad Tradd is enjoying it.
Officers from the Dane (Madison) and Racine County sheriff's dept dive teams were in our class this weekend.
Officers from the Dane (Madison) and Racine County sheriff's dept dive teams were in our class this weekend.
Ice diving would spook me. i see the need to rescue or search for those who have fallen in icy conditions and got trapped under ice. Quite the experience, Tradd!
I'm with Iris and Razz. I get a little claustrophobic just thinking about it. You are very brave, Tradd!
Catherine: I'm not sure if you use Insight Timer, but Wim Hoff did one of the meditations in January, and it was an amazing experience. It was an invigorating breathing exercise that just left me saying "wow!"
Teacher Terry
3-1-21, 11:22am
Add me to the big chicken list:))
happystuff
3-1-21, 12:12pm
WoW! Very impressive!! Congrats and... wow! I couldn't do it, but so grateful to all of those people that train and do these rescues!
Catherine: I'm not sure if you use Insight Timer, but Wim Hoff did one of the meditations in January, and it was an amazing experience. It was an invigorating breathing exercise that just left me saying "wow!"
No, I've never heard of Insight Timer! The breathing exercise sounds really cool! He describes the technique in the book.
No, I've never heard of Insight Timer! The breathing exercise sounds really cool! He describes the technique in the book.
It's a free meditation app that was recommended by many in the Science of Well-Being class. You can also pay for a premium version, but I do not.
It’s been an eventful spring. Working on some skills in advance of the class that will get me down to 150ft.
My regular buddy I've dived with since the beginning had a massive heart attack two weeks ago. He was in decent shape but was under massive stress at work. He just got out of the hospital yesterday. Won’t be diving the rest of this year at all. Perhaps next year, depending on what docs say.
Was delighted to get a message from WI instructor Tuesday about scheduling the class to get to 150ft. There’s one other student, a guy who also dives sidemount. Class is two full weekends. We’re now working out schedules.
Tradd, could you please explain the significance of the 150ft? What changes with completion of this course?
Tradd, could you please explain the significance of the 150ft? What changes with completion of this course?
Recreational diving limit is 130ft. I’ll be taught to do staged decompression stops with breathing gas containing more than 50% O2 to accelerate the nitrogen bubbles getting out of my body. No deco stops, you’re at much greater risk for the bends with the deeper diving. I’ll also be able to use up to 35% helium to lessen nitrogen narcosis. I get narced bad at 130ft. It’s a safety issue - bring narced is like being drunk, but it’s all mental. It lessens or goes away when you ascend, but you can’t do that when you have deco stops you have to do. It’s called a soft ceiling (having deco obligations) rather than the hard ceiling of an actual overhead (cave/wreck). You want to have your wits about you if there’s an emergency rather than having slowed reactions. I also want to remember the deeper diving I do. Not remembering things afterward is another byproduct of being narced.
Thanks for the info, Tradd. 20ft deeper underwater would have a much greater pressure but I had not considered that.
Thanks for the info, Tradd. 20ft deeper underwater would have a much greater pressure but I had not considered that.
That, plus staying down longer.
Teacher Terry
6-3-21, 2:08pm
Sorry to hear about your diving buddy.
Sorry to hear about your diving buddy.
Thank you!
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Class starts Saturday. Just the one day. Instructor’s schedule has gotten complicated due to a number of factors so things are going to be a bit more spread out.
Forgot to post these photos from a few weeks back when a Michigan friend who is also an instructor worked for me for half a day. The deco bottle which is the smaller tank on my left side has taken a lot of getting used to! Both tanks are going a bit butt up which isn’t streamlined. That has gotten fixed. Working on my frog kick on the surface. This really helped!
Class was challenging fSaturday. But it was due to the small deco tank. It was hanging too low and acted like a pendulum. Messed me up something awful. Instructor worked with me after the two dives I’m going to mount it ABOVE my left tank in the future.
happystuff
6-23-21, 10:14am
Amazing how just changing little things can make such a big difference. Hope that works for you. Glad the class went well.
Second class day on Monday. Doing a solo dive at the local quarry on Saturday to check out that the changes I made tk gear won’t cause me any issues on Monday. Buddy canceled due to being sick, but I’m certified for solo diving.
Beginning to look at a rebreather. The unit I want rarely comes up used. $8600 for the unit itself and then probably $2K in training costs to get me to where I am on open circuit (aka bubbles). Have to do some saving up. I’ve got $4800 in the scuba fund, but part of that is earmarked for helium costs to finish current class and then for full cave class this winter.
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KISS Spirit is the rebreather. Lighter weight so good for my knees.
Wow, it does get pricey. Do you have a particular goal where you will say, "That is enough and I will continue enjoying it at this point"?
Rebreathers circulate your expired breath through a scrubber medium that removes the carbon dioxide and injects O2 into the breathing loop. I’d use much less helium than I am on open circuit, which means much less cost. You’re not breathing dry compressed air so your mouth stays moist (I get terrible dry mouth) and you stay warmer, too.
I would like to be able to do wrecks to a max of 200ft deep. Have to build up hours on the CCR to get to the next class. But I dive a lot so no issue.
Had a fabulous SOLO dive at the local quarry today. This is the first time since I got my solo cert in October that I deliberately went to dive solo. Buddy had cancelled on me since he was sick. Nice 40 minute dive at 20ft on a platform on the bottom. Worked on deco bottle stuff since I had changed the rigging on how it clips to me. Second class day Monday. Had a gorgeous day today. Water was 66F. Too warm!
Class Monday the 5th presented different challenges. Soloed at the quarry Sunday. Learned a few things while working on some skills. My instructor has a free day on Saturday, so I'm going up to WI (Devils Lake, north of Madison) to work on some stuff shallow. We're going to hopefully solve a few issues I've got going on.
Next class day is the end of the month.
Love hearing about your diving adventures. Have a good time!
happystuff
7-13-21, 9:44pm
Have fun and good luck on the "issues".
Having instructor help me with issues will get them solved much quicker.
You might remember the issues I had with the one dive shop owner last year. I asked again about my refund. I had gone through my online account for the boat and I had some credits I’d gotten for purchasing a certain amount of prepaid charters as well as two charters I’d won credited to my account. So instead of $800ish, it’s more like $100. The email I got in return just had me shaking my head. Guy felt the need to rehash all the lies he’d posted online last year, and then went on to say he was my biggest fan and glad to hear of my cave diving success. He’s seen it on FB from my instructor’s dive shop FB page. Still is arguing about the refund.
I let it go for a year.
I’m told by someone I trust that the dive shop took a business hit after he went after me online last year. He did that, not me. Can’t blame me for how he handled it.
Had a good dive Saturday. Got my weighting distributed better so I’m more horizontal in the water. I would go to hover and I would pitch forward.
We had a lovely day. 80 minute dive, saw lots of fish in the rocks. Devils Lake State Park near Baraboo, WI.
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Looks so serene. Glad to hear you had a great day!
Had a good class dive last Sunday at Wazee Lake in WI. Things are slowly starting to come together.
Had some ear issues at first but went down slowly and it was fine.
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happystuff
7-31-21, 7:31am
Nice!
frugal-one
8-1-21, 12:04pm
Tradd, FYI, in case you are not aware.... In today's paper says those wishing to visit a wreck can get laminated dive cards showing the history and locations of scores of shipwrecks in Wisconsin waters from the Wisconsin Historical Society... who compiled the list.
Excellent. Thank you! My lovely instructor is a maritime archaeologist with the Wisconsin Historical Society. :)
I am bouncing off the walls I’m so excited. I was very mistaken about my lack of vacation time at work. It looks like I’ll have 7.5 days by Christmas, if my calculations are correct. That means I could go down to FL cave country the week before Christmas and go back to work Dec 29. Yay! Waiting for boss to approve my request. So either fun diving or half of full cave, if I’m ready to do that this winter. :D
iris lilies
8-6-21, 1:22pm
I am bouncing off the walls I’m so excited. I was very mistaken about my lack of vacation time at work. It looks like I’ll have 7.5 days by Christmas, if my calculations are correct. That means I could go down to FL cave country the week before Christmas and go back to work Dec 29. Yay! Waiting for boss to approve my request. So either fun diving or half of full cave, if I’m ready to do that this winter. :D
I am sad that caves are what gets you to warm water territory because I would think open water areas would be beautiful.
But I really cannot continue this conversation because it will entail me thinking about you or anyone else diving in caves. So go forth and be safe. And don’t report back to us how it was! Ha ha.
The FL springs are always around 70 degrees year round. Freshwater.
I have no desire to dive salt water. And have to rinse my gear? :~)
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