http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/ Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:11:17 +0000 MyBB http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9049.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:38:37 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9049.html Only In America..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbOXM8cPFEM]]> Only In America..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbOXM8cPFEM]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9048.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:59:03 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9048.html
I'm a newbie OW diver but I booked myself for AOW in Swanage over the bank holiday weekend. The dive school made the arrangements and we all headed down for the long weekend.

We did the first dive under the pier (weight check etc), and the rest of the dives were booked with Swanage Boat Charters who were great. I know I'm a newb so I haven't got much to compare against, but the skipper on the Mary Jo gave great briefings, was friendly, happy etc. It really felt like he was genuinely there to help you enjoy your dive rather than there to take your money.

One thing though with Swanage Boat Charters, make sure you listen carefully. *we* (ie all of us, not just me) spent the weekend calling the skipper by his dads name... I've never met his dad or anything, so I don't know how we screwed that up but I'm blaming the skipper (BryanMartin, if you're reading this, you'll know who I am!!!!).

Our dives for the weekend from Mary Jo were
- A drift on the ledge
- Fleur De Lys
- Valentine Tanks
- Kyarra

I won't go into detail about each dive (there are reports from people far more experienced than me) but suffice to say they were all fantastic.

Of the things that will probably stay with me, the first is the backwards roll from a boat. No problem I thought, I had imagined a boat stationary in calm water with all the time in the world to think about it. I'd only done one backwards roll previously and that was into a pool. On the boat of course you get a "Standby, 3,2,1, GO!". I wasn't really prepared for that, and you're going in two at a time whilst moving. We were in first from a boat of twelve divers and I rolled half a second too late and landed on my instructor Not the best start to the weekend.

Following that I made sure I went in on the "GO" and all was honkey dorey, but I still owe my instructor a few beers for the scare I gave him.

On our last dive to the Kyarra, we went out early and it was just our group. Two instructors and two students. The dive was again, entirely fantastic. However the exit was a little different to the previous dives.

Whilst waiting for slack water before entry, we were having a good natter with the skipper (BryanMartin) about tides. I reckon I learnt more about tides in those five minutes than in a lifetime of reading about them. Sincerely thankyou.

One thing I (and my instructor) seemed to miss though was how short the slack is. When we came back up the line, it was a roaring current. Once again, I'm a newb so have nothing to compare against, but I hope I don't surface on a current like that again. We were the last up the line, and 2 or 3 metres from the surface I looked up to see a boat directly above us. It was scarey. Actually, I think I would have crapped myself given half a chance. Somehow or other in picking up the first two divers he'd drifted onto the shot (yeah I know, I don't know how either) and at that point of course he couldn't run his prop knowing we were below. At the time, my instructor and I were face to face on the line and he was facing away from the boat above. I've never been so forceful in giving my instructor any signal, but at that moment I knew the stop signal I gave him had to be absolute and immediately understood.

The first two got a reasonable exit, but after theirs I think the skipper decided waiting down current was safer all round.

My instructor and I ended up hanging for dear life on the shot (I'm probably exaggerating as a newb) but seriously I now know what "hanging on the shot like a flag" means.

It was so severe, that when my arm/hand started giving up I couldn't even reach to swap arms I had plenty of air left so I figured I'd just wait for the next slack (Joke).

The boat was down current from us, spot on skipper, he placed himself just where we'd end up whether we liked it or not. Eventually, after much persuading I let go of the line and magically ended up on the divers lift. I should have trusted the skipper's shouts to let go of the line earlier. Admittedly as a newb, I was thinking "sod off I don't want to go to Spain!".

All in all a fantastic weekend. There were many factors that made it good fun, our instructors, my fellow student, the skipper of the Mary Jo, and Swanage being such a lovely friendly little town, they all added up to a fantastic time. Highly recommended to all.

I came away from the weekend as a newly qualified AOW, but I know that I came away from the weekend a far better diver with a far better respect for the Ocean - maybe that is actually worth more

I'm sincerely hoping the dive school will make August bank holiday a Swanage trip every year, it really was that good.

Kind Regards
Bill]]>
I'm a newbie OW diver but I booked myself for AOW in Swanage over the bank holiday weekend. The dive school made the arrangements and we all headed down for the long weekend.

We did the first dive under the pier (weight check etc), and the rest of the dives were booked with Swanage Boat Charters who were great. I know I'm a newb so I haven't got much to compare against, but the skipper on the Mary Jo gave great briefings, was friendly, happy etc. It really felt like he was genuinely there to help you enjoy your dive rather than there to take your money.

One thing though with Swanage Boat Charters, make sure you listen carefully. *we* (ie all of us, not just me) spent the weekend calling the skipper by his dads name... I've never met his dad or anything, so I don't know how we screwed that up but I'm blaming the skipper (BryanMartin, if you're reading this, you'll know who I am!!!!).

Our dives for the weekend from Mary Jo were
- A drift on the ledge
- Fleur De Lys
- Valentine Tanks
- Kyarra

I won't go into detail about each dive (there are reports from people far more experienced than me) but suffice to say they were all fantastic.

Of the things that will probably stay with me, the first is the backwards roll from a boat. No problem I thought, I had imagined a boat stationary in calm water with all the time in the world to think about it. I'd only done one backwards roll previously and that was into a pool. On the boat of course you get a "Standby, 3,2,1, GO!". I wasn't really prepared for that, and you're going in two at a time whilst moving. We were in first from a boat of twelve divers and I rolled half a second too late and landed on my instructor Not the best start to the weekend.

Following that I made sure I went in on the "GO" and all was honkey dorey, but I still owe my instructor a few beers for the scare I gave him.

On our last dive to the Kyarra, we went out early and it was just our group. Two instructors and two students. The dive was again, entirely fantastic. However the exit was a little different to the previous dives.

Whilst waiting for slack water before entry, we were having a good natter with the skipper (BryanMartin) about tides. I reckon I learnt more about tides in those five minutes than in a lifetime of reading about them. Sincerely thankyou.

One thing I (and my instructor) seemed to miss though was how short the slack is. When we came back up the line, it was a roaring current. Once again, I'm a newb so have nothing to compare against, but I hope I don't surface on a current like that again. We were the last up the line, and 2 or 3 metres from the surface I looked up to see a boat directly above us. It was scarey. Actually, I think I would have crapped myself given half a chance. Somehow or other in picking up the first two divers he'd drifted onto the shot (yeah I know, I don't know how either) and at that point of course he couldn't run his prop knowing we were below. At the time, my instructor and I were face to face on the line and he was facing away from the boat above. I've never been so forceful in giving my instructor any signal, but at that moment I knew the stop signal I gave him had to be absolute and immediately understood.

The first two got a reasonable exit, but after theirs I think the skipper decided waiting down current was safer all round.

My instructor and I ended up hanging for dear life on the shot (I'm probably exaggerating as a newb) but seriously I now know what "hanging on the shot like a flag" means.

It was so severe, that when my arm/hand started giving up I couldn't even reach to swap arms I had plenty of air left so I figured I'd just wait for the next slack (Joke).

The boat was down current from us, spot on skipper, he placed himself just where we'd end up whether we liked it or not. Eventually, after much persuading I let go of the line and magically ended up on the divers lift. I should have trusted the skipper's shouts to let go of the line earlier. Admittedly as a newb, I was thinking "sod off I don't want to go to Spain!".

All in all a fantastic weekend. There were many factors that made it good fun, our instructors, my fellow student, the skipper of the Mary Jo, and Swanage being such a lovely friendly little town, they all added up to a fantastic time. Highly recommended to all.

I came away from the weekend as a newly qualified AOW, but I know that I came away from the weekend a far better diver with a far better respect for the Ocean - maybe that is actually worth more

I'm sincerely hoping the dive school will make August bank holiday a Swanage trip every year, it really was that good.

Kind Regards
Bill]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9047.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:35:07 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9047.html
















Spike

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A few ,more












spike]]>
















Spike

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A few ,more












spike]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9046.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:35:22 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9046.html We are still going strong. Lisa and I have done 34 dives now with a combination of using both Ellerton and Capernwray. Our cumulative bottom time is just under 30 hours each.

Every dive day we practise various skills to try to keep sharp and safe.

Our ultimate goal, is to swim with the seals off the Farne Island up here on the east coast. To do this though we need to get comfortable in the sea before we have the ‘added’ concerns of negotiating an over enthusiastic seal that thinks it’s great fun to bite your fins and pull your mask off.

With that in mind and as we need to be trained enough for that next big step of ‘sea diving’, Lisa and I have now completed our ‘Advance Open Water’ course. We did the following Adventure dives for this:- Wreck Dive, Underwater Navigation, Dry-suit, Deep Dive and Peak Performance Buoyancy.

Having the Advance Open Water qualification means we can now get on some of the boat dives that leave Sunderland and get some practice in the sea with more experienced divers.

Now for us really is the time to get the diving and enjoy the sport. We really want to be confident in the sea to the extent we feel as comfortable as we do diving both at Ellerton and Capernwray.

The seals can wait until next year, around Easter time. Just need to get the sea dives in and enjoy the company of the smaller critters and wildlife.

Off to Capernwray this weekend again, this Sunday. Ellerton on the following Wednesday and we have pencilled in our first sea dive the day after, Thursday.

We hope to meet some of you during our travels. Best wishes to you all and safe, happy diving.

Many thanks for the numerous e-mails enquiring what’s going on. I’m sorry I’ve taken a little time to respond. I'll be a lot quicker in future.

Regards and respects as always

Graham. ]]> We are still going strong. Lisa and I have done 34 dives now with a combination of using both Ellerton and Capernwray. Our cumulative bottom time is just under 30 hours each.

Every dive day we practise various skills to try to keep sharp and safe.

Our ultimate goal, is to swim with the seals off the Farne Island up here on the east coast. To do this though we need to get comfortable in the sea before we have the ‘added’ concerns of negotiating an over enthusiastic seal that thinks it’s great fun to bite your fins and pull your mask off.

With that in mind and as we need to be trained enough for that next big step of ‘sea diving’, Lisa and I have now completed our ‘Advance Open Water’ course. We did the following Adventure dives for this:- Wreck Dive, Underwater Navigation, Dry-suit, Deep Dive and Peak Performance Buoyancy.

Having the Advance Open Water qualification means we can now get on some of the boat dives that leave Sunderland and get some practice in the sea with more experienced divers.

Now for us really is the time to get the diving and enjoy the sport. We really want to be confident in the sea to the extent we feel as comfortable as we do diving both at Ellerton and Capernwray.

The seals can wait until next year, around Easter time. Just need to get the sea dives in and enjoy the company of the smaller critters and wildlife.

Off to Capernwray this weekend again, this Sunday. Ellerton on the following Wednesday and we have pencilled in our first sea dive the day after, Thursday.

We hope to meet some of you during our travels. Best wishes to you all and safe, happy diving.

Many thanks for the numerous e-mails enquiring what’s going on. I’m sorry I’ve taken a little time to respond. I'll be a lot quicker in future.

Regards and respects as always

Graham. ]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9045.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:01:59 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9045.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11155653]]>
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11155653]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9044.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:05:03 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9044.html
Please no unhelpful comments about how twin bladders are pointless.

I am also contemplating converting this to a single bladder, anyone tried this before? I can buy the blanking plates from CD, if I do this then I shoud have spare parts.]]>
Please no unhelpful comments about how twin bladders are pointless.

I am also contemplating converting this to a single bladder, anyone tried this before? I can buy the blanking plates from CD, if I do this then I shoud have spare parts.]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9041.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:13:44 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9041.html
thanks
john]]>
thanks
john]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9040.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:43:41 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9040.html
i need to get my self some pro insurance but i can remember when i need to get or were to get it form. could some one suggest a good place.

Cheers]]>
i need to get my self some pro insurance but i can remember when i need to get or were to get it form. could some one suggest a good place.

Cheers]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9039.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:50:52 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9039.html
Just passed OW and decided on semi drys. Wife looking to buy one now and seen a Seac sub nature fit for £120 new. Its 5mm with a 5mm shorty to go over.

Sounds cheap to me, are they any good? Will be probably used once a month in the warmer months.

Thanks]]>
Just passed OW and decided on semi drys. Wife looking to buy one now and seen a Seac sub nature fit for £120 new. Its 5mm with a 5mm shorty to go over.

Sounds cheap to me, are they any good? Will be probably used once a month in the warmer months.

Thanks]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9038.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:32:37 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9038.html
Im after a wee bit of advice. Im looking ot get my first computer and Ive narrowed it down to the following;

Vyper
Vytec DS
Mares Nemo Wide

Can anyone give me some guidance on which one I should go for.

Just getting into diving but can see me progressing quite quick into deeper stuff etc.

I also use a Mac so was wondering which one will be compatible with that.

Thanks a lot.]]>
Im after a wee bit of advice. Im looking ot get my first computer and Ive narrowed it down to the following;

Vyper
Vytec DS
Mares Nemo Wide

Can anyone give me some guidance on which one I should go for.

Just getting into diving but can see me progressing quite quick into deeper stuff etc.

I also use a Mac so was wondering which one will be compatible with that.

Thanks a lot.]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9037.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:52:44 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9037.html http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-WP-DC800-hou...ltDomain_3

tony]]> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-WP-DC800-hou...ltDomain_3

tony]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9036.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:10:12 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9036.html . Anyone have any info that might help as there seems to be a few nice places to dive there.

Many thanks]]> . Anyone have any info that might help as there seems to be a few nice places to dive there.

Many thanks]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9035.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:12:48 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9035.html
It will not be busy and getting wet is getting wet.]]>
It will not be busy and getting wet is getting wet.]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9034.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:14:31 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9034.html
So now that I have my own gear (modulo cylinders and weights), the headache begins....

I wanted to start a broad thread about gear maintenance. What do you do when you get home from diving ? (after the glass of whisky and cigar, of course...)

Some thoughts/questions:

1. drysuit maintenance: when it's finally dry, do you lubricate the zipper before storing, or before diving, or both? If you have a zipper guard, do you store the drysuit with both zippers open? or the main zipper open and the zipper guard closed? How do you care for the valves? blowdry? wash with fresh water then dry? (even if diving in fresh water) Do you fold the suit or let it hang somewhere? (I have a trilaminate and little space at home so must fold into bag). Talc on the seals every time before storing or only before long storage times?

2. Buyoancy device: Do you ever "wash" the bladder ? Do you store partially inflated? Do you blowdry the dump valve ? Any tricks to make sure the inflator hose is clean/clear etc?

3. Regs hoses etc. Do you simply let them dry? anything to help make sure the (inside of the) hoses are dry ?

4. Mask, accesories etc: Do you clean the lens ? Do you suggest drying by hand things like boltsnaps, knifes ? What if you have one of these cool canister lights ? do you deploy the spool to make the line dry faster? what about the SMB? do you let it hang at home open for a while?

5. Undergarments: do you wash them after every dive trip? Do they lose their properties (wicking etc) more quickly if washes "too" often ?

In my case, everything is packed and stored within 24h of the last dive, so its not so bad.

Any bit of advice or any comment on how you do things is appreciated.

safe diving!]]>
So now that I have my own gear (modulo cylinders and weights), the headache begins....

I wanted to start a broad thread about gear maintenance. What do you do when you get home from diving ? (after the glass of whisky and cigar, of course...)

Some thoughts/questions:

1. drysuit maintenance: when it's finally dry, do you lubricate the zipper before storing, or before diving, or both? If you have a zipper guard, do you store the drysuit with both zippers open? or the main zipper open and the zipper guard closed? How do you care for the valves? blowdry? wash with fresh water then dry? (even if diving in fresh water) Do you fold the suit or let it hang somewhere? (I have a trilaminate and little space at home so must fold into bag). Talc on the seals every time before storing or only before long storage times?

2. Buyoancy device: Do you ever "wash" the bladder ? Do you store partially inflated? Do you blowdry the dump valve ? Any tricks to make sure the inflator hose is clean/clear etc?

3. Regs hoses etc. Do you simply let them dry? anything to help make sure the (inside of the) hoses are dry ?

4. Mask, accesories etc: Do you clean the lens ? Do you suggest drying by hand things like boltsnaps, knifes ? What if you have one of these cool canister lights ? do you deploy the spool to make the line dry faster? what about the SMB? do you let it hang at home open for a while?

5. Undergarments: do you wash them after every dive trip? Do they lose their properties (wicking etc) more quickly if washes "too" often ?

In my case, everything is packed and stored within 24h of the last dive, so its not so bad.

Any bit of advice or any comment on how you do things is appreciated.

safe diving!]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9033.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:00:45 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9033.html I've just received my shiny new regulator, octo, gauges and computer from simply scuba and I need to connect them all together.

Having read the instructions the gauges and octo state to connect them to a specific torque though the computer doesn't say anything at all.

The big problem I'm having is sourcing a Torque spanner to do the job. I already have a torque wrench and socket set but clearly this isn't going to work due to the hose :cry:

What do other people do here?

I would have bought all this from the LDS and asked them to connect it up but don't stock the brand and model that I wanted.

Do I just tighten by hand or take it in to the LDS and ask them to do it - not sure of the reaction I'll get given they didn't sell it me in the first place

Or does anyone know where I can buy the right tool for the job, I've looked for a torque spanner set but can only find ones that are meant for auto work and so are way to big for the job.

Thanks in advance.
Ryan]]> I've just received my shiny new regulator, octo, gauges and computer from simply scuba and I need to connect them all together.

Having read the instructions the gauges and octo state to connect them to a specific torque though the computer doesn't say anything at all.

The big problem I'm having is sourcing a Torque spanner to do the job. I already have a torque wrench and socket set but clearly this isn't going to work due to the hose :cry:

What do other people do here?

I would have bought all this from the LDS and asked them to connect it up but don't stock the brand and model that I wanted.

Do I just tighten by hand or take it in to the LDS and ask them to do it - not sure of the reaction I'll get given they didn't sell it me in the first place

Or does anyone know where I can buy the right tool for the job, I've looked for a torque spanner set but can only find ones that are meant for auto work and so are way to big for the job.

Thanks in advance.
Ryan]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9032.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:44:15 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9032.html
Any idea what conditions are like in mid-october? Would a 5mm semi be adequate?

Thanks.]]>
Any idea what conditions are like in mid-october? Would a 5mm semi be adequate?

Thanks.]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9031.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:55:58 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9031.html
I'm thinking of somewhere different for an Easter break & am considering the Canaries. Anyone got any good reports on diving there please?]]>
I'm thinking of somewhere different for an Easter break & am considering the Canaries. Anyone got any good reports on diving there please?]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9030.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:17:19 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9030.html
A 10 litre cylinder at 232 bar contains 2,320 litres.

There are 1,000 litres in a cubic metre.

So, a 10 litre cylinder contains air 1.32 x 1.32 x 1.32 metres (cube root 2.32).

That doesn't seem a lot of air.]]>
A 10 litre cylinder at 232 bar contains 2,320 litres.

There are 1,000 litres in a cubic metre.

So, a 10 litre cylinder contains air 1.32 x 1.32 x 1.32 metres (cube root 2.32).

That doesn't seem a lot of air.]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9029.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:20:44 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9029.html
just wondered if anyone had been to the above?

Looking into it for next year - wondered how long the 'journey' is from Marsa Alam... just out of interest... Always good to work out how many sea sickness pills to pop

Thanks! ]]>
just wondered if anyone had been to the above?

Looking into it for next year - wondered how long the 'journey' is from Marsa Alam... just out of interest... Always good to work out how many sea sickness pills to pop

Thanks! ]]> http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9028.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:43:02 +0100 http://www.ukdivers.com/forums/thread-9028.html