Im glad they are working with you on this.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
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Im glad they are working with you on this.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
You look fabulous--makes me think of my childhood visits to the Everglades!
Just something of an update:
I didn't end up doing the Ohio quarry trip at the beginning of December. That was cancelled, and I've been working one on one with my instructors several times. First time, we just went to a pool with no scuba equipment on, but with mask, snorkel, fins, and a kick board to work on my kicks. Tweaked the basic "flutter" (what your legs do when freestyle/crawl swimming) so it doesn't hurt sciatica in left hip. This was before Thanksgiving at a health club gym. I did 500 yards in the pool.
A couple of weeks ago, several students cancelled, and so we were able to do a pool session with scuba equipment in the big community pool (12' deep end) the dive shop rents a lane from. We were in the water about 2.5 hours. It was so much fun! :D We worked on a number of things, but it had been really cold and snowy and getting in the water was just lovely! Worked more on frog kick, which is essentially the breast stroke kick. Each of the two kicks serves different purposes. Frog is harder to learn, but working on it early before I've formed bad habits, is a good thing.
The best part of the session were the videos I got that instructors shot with their GoPro, so I can actually see what I'm doing underwater and work to correct it.
I was delighted when instructors said I was greatly improved over my certification class and our first pool session. I'm much more comfortable in the water now. I'll even swim in the deep end (albeit with kick board), which was much easier than it was before. I even had mask/snorkel on and was looking down. Wasn't too much of an issue. LOL
I'm going to Mermet Springs, a quarry in southern IL (near Padaucah, KY) the end of January with a friend or two. Water temp should be around 38-40F! :0!:~) I'll have a pool session or two with friends in the next couple of weeks. There's a local dive shop that rents time in their small indoor pool (when not using it for classes ) for $10/hour plus tank rental. I did that once before with them.
11.5 year old goddaughter's Christmas present was her own "Discover Scuba" pool intro class, just like the one I did. She's doing it this Saturday. She'll be in the shallow end with an instructor, while I'll be in the deep end working on things with my instructor. I'll be able to swim over and get pics and video.
The dates for my Lake Huron/Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary dive trip have been set for the end of July and deposit sent it. We only need 2 more people for the boat.
I joined LA Fitness last week and I was in the pool 3 times last week and 2 already this week. I just do laps with mask, snorkel, fins, and kick board. I did 350 yards per session last week, and I'm now up to 400. The Lake Huron and Lake Michigan dives will be much better if I'm in better shape. I don't aim to really lose weight (that custom drysuit would need to be replaced!), but to build leg strength and cardio. I'm actually enjoying it, and I've found the pool is a good way to decompress after a stressful day at work. I go after work, not in the morning. I'm simply not a morning person.
Thanks for giving us an update, I enjoy hearing of your progress. It seems scuba has become a new interest that will stick around.
Given all the political BS and hoo hah, thought it would be nice to have something fun to post about.
Goddaughter did her Discover Scuba thing at the beginning of January. She had fun, but cut it short by about 10 minutes due to being cold (this was in a public indoor pool kept at 80F - I always freeze in this pool). I was in the pool at the same time, working on my own stuff. Got a few pics.
All the pool time this winter has paid off. Was in the pool with instructors last weekend when they had no students for scheduled pool time. Said the basic flutter kick (scissors) had pretty good form, just had to slow it down. Learning frog kick next.
Signed up for my Advanced course this coming spring/summer. It's four specialties - underwater navigation (lots of compass use), night/low visibility, deep, wreck. As a reward for all my work over the winter, instructors offered to make special arrangements for me to do my deep and wreck classes on Lake Michigan. Much nicer than doing them at the local quarry. The quarry has a "deep hole" where there's a black sulphur layer about 60' which turns everything pitch black. Sounds like a nightmare. On the lake, there will still be some light at 80-90' and viz will be better than the quarry. Wreck involves 3 dives, the last which is "limited penetration" of a wreck (limited penetration means still being in view of exterior light source from entry point). Local dive buddy who is doing Lake Huron trip with me will be doing Advanced with me.
Went cold water diving (48F water temp) for the first time a couple of weeks ago at a quarry in southern IL (Mermet Springs, near Metropolis). These were "shakedown dives" for the experience and to see what issues might come up (needing more weight due to undies, etc.). Our local quarry is open for cold water diving (since there is no ice for the ice divers) this coming weekend, and I'll be out there with people from my dive shop.
Lots of good stuff coming up this spring/summer. Local quarry opens April 1 and the dive boats get out on the lake sometime in May. :)
Wow.. you're really doing some serious stuff here! It sounds so neat to have found something that's so fun and challenging for you! Keep us posted!
I'm very excited for you Tradd. You have taken this seriously and to get joy out of it too!
From a pool session a month ago. A FB friend photoshopped the shark behind me. :laff:
The yellow tank is called a "pony," basically emergency air, especially if diving deep/cold water. The lower bungee should be closer to my body, I've shortened it up. This was my first time diving with it. Pony is named "Old Yeller." :~)
Love the Shark!!!:devil: Funny friend!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
I went diving today - for all of 5 minutes underwater. That's right, 5 minutes. The water was 38F/3C. No one I know was able to make it today, so I took a chance on finding an "instabuddy," as it's called. You get matched up with someone else. The quarry owner introduced me to a father and son (the son was in his 20s). Turns out they're friends of my instructors, too! Anyway, the father was wearing inadequate thermals under his drysuit and got cold, plus once we descended 21 ft/6.4m, and got to the training platform on the the bottom, I realized I had too little weight on and was drifting up, so I signaled thumb up to ascend so I could add more weight. Plus, visibility was awful. Maybe 5ft/1.5m. It shouldn't have been that bad, but the warm winter and no ice meant the algae bloom was a lot. The father got an awful headache from the cold water and didn't want to go back in. There was no one else for me to dive with. So, I packed it up and went home. But the weather was very unseasonably warm today. 69F/20C, so I got to be outside. But I realized the cold water doesn't bother me much. My cheeks were very cold, but I would have gotten acclimated if we had gone back down.
I'm now up to 27 dives. Our local quarry opened April 1 and I've been diving every weekend except Easter weekend and this past weekend. Had a buoyancy class at the end of April. Things are slowly coming together. Still get a bit nervous at times, but it's much better than it was. I have my underwater navigation class Sunday taking it with my regular dive buddy. Deep class is on Lake Michigan June 19 on a shipwreck. :)
I'm slowly getting in better shape. I snorkel a mile of laps in the pool twice a week. I've started to do a bit of yoga at home with YouTube videos to get better flexibility. I've lost 10 lbs since I went to the doctor last July. My endurance is much better and I'm not nearly as wiped out as I was last fall after a day of diving.
Lake Huron trip is a little more than 2 months away. Yay!
Tradd, I am so impressed with your journey!
Yeah, me too! I'm curious--didn't you get into diving because of a guy you were dating? Is the guy still around, or did he serve his purpose by giving you your passion for diving?Quote:
Originally Posted by nswef
Guy is still around, but just as friends. Nothing will ever develop out of it. But I took off diving and ran with it, making it my own.
Sounds as though you are having fun with it. Wonderful to read seeing all your progress.
This is where I will be diving in late July - Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve in northern Lake Huron. 3D virtual dives on a number of wrecks.
http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/vr/thunder-bay/
I had my underwater navigation class today. Underwater work with a mechanical compass. It's filled with oil, rather than water (as in a regular land-based compass), to withstand the uw pressure.
It beat my butt today!
First dive was surface: 100'ft out back out for kick cycle average. Triangle with 100 ft sides and square with 50'ft sides. Then repeat all at depth. This was one heckof a workout! You count your kicks to give you an idea of distance.
2nd dive was hitting 8 directional points in an octagon course at the quarry, with 50 to 100 ft waypoints.
I'm also now very comfortable in low viz. due to other students silting the bottom up, we had NO vis for a time. Just focused on my compass and kept plugging along. Back in October, I would have said "the heck with this" and headed for the surface! Water temp was about 56F. I actually dove withOUT gloves on 2nd dive. Everyone did. Hands weren't cold.
Had some buoyancy issues, especially on the second dive. Popped to the top (very slowly) from 20 ft. Had a difficult time getting back down. Instructor had to pull on my fins to get me past the first 3 feet to get me started. Not sure what the issue was, aside from too much air in wing. Continual tweaking process! She said she can't wait to get me in a wet suit and suspects I will have much fewer issues than diving dry. I bought a 3mm wetsuit recently. She allowed me to try her new one on. It FIT! Holy cow! By all logic, going by the size chart, it should not have fit me. It was the largest women's size they offer (14). It stretched 3 inches in the chest to fit me. Wow! I'll have to wait another 5-6 weeks to pull it out at the quarry.
I almost gave up once today, but instructor is a tough one and kept encouraging me. She said I've greatly improved in a short time. And no quitting now! Her partner instructor (they're a couple, too) told me everyone else has faith in me to do this, but I keep doubting myself. They're lovely people. I got big hugs from each at the end of the dive.
So this was a really good class. It was regular buddy and I, plus some other guy no one knew. He had been reminded via email and phone call of today's starting time, but he showed up about an hour late. ARGH. I hate that! If I hadn't been doing all the swimming over the winter, I'd have been done after dive 1! Deep is June 19th on Lake Michigan. Night is June 15th at quarry, and Wreck is late August on the Lake. 30 dives now. Will be diving two days next weekend, both days the last weekend in June, and every week in between. I'll have over 40 dives by the end of June and should hit 50 before Lake Huron trip in late July.
Regular buddy took his basic class with instructors from another area dive shop and was just amazed at how good my instructors are. We're taking advanced together.
I'm thrilled I did so well and passed this! Woot! And I don't ever have to do it again! Woot! I'm so proud of myself! I am exhausted! I was nervous about today and expected it to be a total cluster, but it went much better than I thought!
Tradd, I do enjoy reading the updates on your progress so keep them coming. Well done on the latest dives!
Tradd, I find your progress truly inspiring!! We have some good diving up here by Traverse City so think about coming up this way some time. (We don't dive but I think it is wonderful how you have gotten into this sport and overcome your fears. Yay!)
I might apply your method to learning something new myself this year--thinking of taking up the violin so that I can participate in Scottish dancing groups as I get too old to dance.
Tradd, You are inspiring! I love reading about how you progress and am awed by the amount of physical work it is, plus the fear factor. Have you gone back and read your first post about this? What a journey and you are letting us join in!
Yes, I have. The difference is astonishing! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by nswef
Yes, I do plan to get up there sooner rather than later!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tybee
Forgot to post about the very neat experience I had last weekend.
Did a chamber dive today at the only hyperbaric chamber in the area that is open to taking divers and other emergencies. It's in a hospital that is a Level I trauma center. We were taken down to 130 ft. There were 12 of us. We had empty water bottles and balloons to demonstrate Boyle's Law. When we were descending it was very hot - around 100 degrees. As we were coming up, it cooled down and actually got foggy in the chamber (they can't totally dry out the air fed to the chamber). It was funny to see. We took brought our dive computers into the chamber with us, immersing them in water to activate them. It was neat watching my computer throughout the "dive."
This was an opportunity to experience getting "narced" - have nitrogen narcosis - in a very controlled environment. Invaluable for when you're at depth. It goes away when you ascend. It's very similar to being drunk. I had a buzz going.
I got very silly and giggly when narced. I had a very high pitched voice at depth due to the pressure change. Minnie Mouse on steroids! One diving family was there - dad (an instructor), mom, and their three teenaged sons, who were very funny to watch as they got narced.
The respiratory therapist in charge of the chamber did a very good 45 minute lecture beforehand. He has been at the hospital for about 30 years and has been doing these presentations and chamber dives since 1994, when they began at the request of the local Chicago dive community. He said more than 1000 divers have been through the chamber. They only see 2-3 cases of DCS a year. He talked about DCS (Decompression Sickness), AGE (Arterial Gas Embolism), etc., from a medical perspective, which was an interesting difference from the way it was taught in OW classes. However, one of my instructors is a nurse, so she had inserted some of the medical perspective in my OW course.
Tradd: I'm glad this has turned out to be such an enjoyable hobby for you!
Rosa, now that I'm getting past the issues (leaking mask, anxiety, etc.), I'm able to relax and enjoy it so much more!Quote:
Originally Posted by rosarugosa
Went to our local quarry today. First dive we were on the shallow side. It was my first time diving with my pony (extra air for emergencies) tank outside of a pool. I was very lopsided. Need to play with it more tomorrow at Pearl Lake (quarry on Illinois/Wisconsin border), maybe adjust how much weight I'm carrying. On the second dive, we went down to the Flamingo (33 ft cabin cruiser) and an old fire truck on the deep side. We got down to 50 ft, which is the deepest I've been yet! Yay! We're certified down to 60 ft right now. Buddy took the photos with his GoPro. First is on the fire truck, the second is on the Flamingo. It was a great day, great confidence builder since I didn't pop to the top, have any anxiety issues, etc.
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/IMG_3211.jpg
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/GOPR0417.jpg
Went to a quarry on the IL/WI border yesterday. It's spring fed, so the water has a different quality than the groundwater fed quarry with the green water.
Me on our safety stop at end of first dive (when you've dove deeper than 40' (maybe?) it's good practice to do a safety stop for 3 minutes at 15-20' to off gas some of the nitrogen in your blood). Camera was on a lanyard on my wrist, but I just extended my arm to buddy, who took the camera from me to take the pic.
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/PICT0024.jpg
Looking up towards the surface while on our safety stop
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/PICT0031.jpg
World War II U-boat sub replica (33' long)
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/PICT0006.jpg
A bluegill on the sub
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/PICT0007.jpg
This was an open water certification dive for a big class (8-10 people) from a dive shop. They came out of the blue as buddy and I were taking a break on a training platform. I was closer to them, and buddy thought I was going to get kicked, but didn't. They were all over the place! Looked like they were having fun, though!
http://i771.photobucket.com/albums/x...3/PICT0016.jpg
I just wish the photos didn't have the time/date stamp. :( This was the first time I had taken this camera underwater. It's an Intova Nova HD. Basically a GoPro knockoff. Think I paid $130 for it. A friend had one (the picture with me and all the fish taken last October were taken with this camera) and I liked it. Nice big buttons that are easy to work with gloves on. I had gotten it last November, but it wouldn't recognize a memory card, so I exchanged it with the manufacturer. I think I'll take this camera on the Lake Huron diving trip and do stills. Buddy has a nice GoPro and can do video. My camera does video, but I'm much more into stills.
And, yes, I do plan on taking an underwater photography class once my buoyancy is better.
I dove the Great Lakes for the first time yesterday! Southern Lake Michigan, out of Hammond, IN. Buddy took the great pic of me, and I uploaded my vids to YouTube. Wrecks were the David Dows, a wooden schooner that went down in 1889, and the Material Service Barge, a steel barge that went down in 1936 with 15 men.
Attachment 1775
https://youtu.be/U-2PRwbkfQ4
https://youtu.be/9V-M8VzfHuw
https://youtu.be/bgNIPNlmUaU
https://youtu.be/WfHyKUth39A
Lake Huron trip is in a bit less than a month. I've been working really hard and yesterday's dives were sort of the culmination of that. Had a ball. Loved being out on the lake. Yes, my "trim" (being horizontal in the water) needs work, but that will come. Yesterday was dives 45 and 46.
Wow, that is amazing! Thanks for sharing.. congratulations on your great progress. The videos really helped to bring your experience to life!
I completed my 50th dive yesterday! :0!:D Had to take a commemorative pic! The thing on my forehead is my mask turned backwards (how you're supposed to do it out of the water).
I'll have my Advanced rating after night dives on Saturday. Lake Huron trip in two weeks!
Attachment 1784
I had my night class Saturday evening. I'm very happy to report that I've now gotten my Advanced rating! You needed 4 separate specialties, plus 25 logged dives. I came in at 53 dives. I leave for my long-awaited Lake Huron trip next Tuesday. :D
great progress, Tradd. Glad to hear this update. How long is this Lake Huron trip, and how many dives will you get?
Happy diving, tradd. I love your enthusiasm and enjoy hearing of your adventures.
Iris, 3 days of diving, 2 dives each morning.
Picked up my Advanced card yesterday. Rescue class is probably late September.
Can't wait to dive Wednesday! Leave Tuesday. It's an 8 hour drive each way. At least my diving buddy is driving with me, and can drive if necessary.
My Lake Huron trip had to be cancelled due to weather conditions. Yesterday and today there are up to 12ft waves on the lake. T'storms and high waves forecast for the rest of the week. I talked to the dive boat captain yesterday and we cancelled then. He had wanted to wait until today to make a decision, but as we would have been leaving today at 5 am, with an 8 hour drive before us, that was the best decision.
Dive buddy and I are hitting the local quarry tomorrow. We'll be diving Lake Michigan Saturday and Sunday morning. Our dive shop has a boat on the lake. So, we'll be getting two days of Great Lakes diving with only an hour's drive from home and without the hotel costs.
We're not out any money due to the cancelled trip. The dive boat captain didn't cash my deposit check and is sending it back. I specifically made hotel reservations with a slightly higher rate that would allow for cancellation without penalty.
Glad you will still be able to get some diving in this weekend. It's a drag when you're looking forward to something and it has to get cancelled, but I admire your attitude on going to Plan B.
Related to that, a friend told me her son-in-law's mother is gravely ill. However, he and his wife have been saving for a big vacation in the Caribbean for many months which is planned for her SIL's 50th birthday. Now, it's a tough decision on proceeding or cancelling or waiting or what.
I think latest is that they are buying trip insurance, which I believe may be used for situations like this.
Well, Plan B may not work.
4-5ft waves are forecast for Saturday, so the boat may not go out on Lake Michigan at all. We're still 2 people short for the boat anyway (needs 4 to go out).
2-3ft waves on Sunday, which are doable, if a bit "sporty," but we still need 1 more person for the boat.
Dive shop let the boat go out today even though we only had 2 people (3rd person cancelled yesterday). We just had to pay for a 3rd seat. That was fine. We needed a break from the local quarry! Waves were 3-4ft and my stomach got a bit off kilter from it. Didn't puke, but we didn't go a 2nd dive due to me not feeling 100%.
We dove the Louisville, a wooden steamer that sank in 1857 on the IL/IN border after a fire. 7 miles from shore. 60ft deep, temp was 74F at 60ft.
http://i.imgur.com/lRtIp0G.jpg
Me above the propeller
http://i.imgur.com/EFm0scw.jpg
Steeple engine
http://i.imgur.com/prO6l9J.jpg
Prop
http://i.imgur.com/9BxgNE8.jpg
Bow
http://i.imgur.com/cI13Mer.jpg
Ribs
http://i.imgur.com/UGfTSEy.jpg