We will be headed up to the Crater on January 17 from 12-2pm for the January dive. The specialty of the month for January is Nitrox. When we increase the level of oxygen in the air we are breathing while diving, we can get longer bottom times since we are not absorbing as much nitrogen. Many people report having more energy after diving nitrox. The down side is that we have to limit our deoth to about 100 feet bu that won't matter much at the Crater. You can get free nitrox for 1 dive if you RSVP on our Facebook page-Dive Utah Bottom Dwellers.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=31030479519
See you there!!!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
A Dive at The Crater
I had a class set up for the Crater on Saturday and Sunday. Naturally, winter decided to finally show up. The weather service predicted doom and gloom for the whole weekend. With that in mind, I cancelled Saturday's class from 4-6pm but kept Sunday at 10am. Of course, Saturday afternoon the roads were fine and Sunday morning they weren't. Oh well....
So we got everyone up there Sunday morning and the Crater was busy. There were 2 groups there from another local dive shop. Apparently they came with more people then they had planned. I can't say anything about that since we do that all the time. Make a reservation for 5 and show up with anywhere from 2-8 people. We try to keep the numbers close since that helps the Crater have a better idea of who is doing what. Since some of our guys were late, the other groups were in the water and diving by the time we go set up on the dock. This is good since you don't want EVERYONE under at the same time. If you take turns and stagger your dives, more people can get in and it works better for everyone. The biggest part of that involves taking turns on the platform or the PVC pipe-square. After watching the other groups from the surface, it looked like all they were done and making their dives so we started down the ropes to the pipe. As soon as we go there, I could see a group below up starting to ascend back up the ropes. Naturally they weren't looking up about to run into us so I got my group to move over and hover while they came up. Only problem was once they got to the pipe, I saw the instructor give the sign for a safety stop. And they were not moving or giving us back any of the pipe. I guess that's what happens when they have more people then you do!
Once we got reorganized and diving, it was actually really nice. The vis was great, the water was warm and everyone did great a great job on staying together and buoyancy. We ended the dive and spent some time on the surface. I was hoping the other groups would notice that we were up and they would go down so that we could have a turn on the platform before our time was up. Nope, nothing doing. They took their time and didn't move off either. Finally we had to go down and share some of the pipe. The instructor gave me a look like "Who are you and what are you doing on my pipe?" but we only took a small part of it and time was running short.
All in all it was a great class on a cold day. It helps out on a busy day when all instructors realize they need to share and try not to "hog" the pipe or the platform.
So we got everyone up there Sunday morning and the Crater was busy. There were 2 groups there from another local dive shop. Apparently they came with more people then they had planned. I can't say anything about that since we do that all the time. Make a reservation for 5 and show up with anywhere from 2-8 people. We try to keep the numbers close since that helps the Crater have a better idea of who is doing what. Since some of our guys were late, the other groups were in the water and diving by the time we go set up on the dock. This is good since you don't want EVERYONE under at the same time. If you take turns and stagger your dives, more people can get in and it works better for everyone. The biggest part of that involves taking turns on the platform or the PVC pipe-square. After watching the other groups from the surface, it looked like all they were done and making their dives so we started down the ropes to the pipe. As soon as we go there, I could see a group below up starting to ascend back up the ropes. Naturally they weren't looking up about to run into us so I got my group to move over and hover while they came up. Only problem was once they got to the pipe, I saw the instructor give the sign for a safety stop. And they were not moving or giving us back any of the pipe. I guess that's what happens when they have more people then you do!
Once we got reorganized and diving, it was actually really nice. The vis was great, the water was warm and everyone did great a great job on staying together and buoyancy. We ended the dive and spent some time on the surface. I was hoping the other groups would notice that we were up and they would go down so that we could have a turn on the platform before our time was up. Nope, nothing doing. They took their time and didn't move off either. Finally we had to go down and share some of the pipe. The instructor gave me a look like "Who are you and what are you doing on my pipe?" but we only took a small part of it and time was running short.
All in all it was a great class on a cold day. It helps out on a busy day when all instructors realize they need to share and try not to "hog" the pipe or the platform.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Mask Issues
Last Thursday I had a class in the pool for their second night. That means mask removal and replacement will be the fun skill of the night. I knew we were destined for trouble because I wasn't able to practise mask clearing as much as I would have liked the first night. The pool heater was acting up and the temp was down a few degrees and I had cold students shivering before we were even half way through with the night. They were able to clear but there were a few issues I would have like to have worked on.
The water was still chilly this night but I put wetsuits on everyone just to be safe and to make sure we could spend all the time we needed in the water. There were 2 students with issues on the mask. One student could blow through her nose and tilt her head back but was always getting water back into her mask and inhaling it through her nose while her head was back. I couldn't get her to stop inhaling while her head was up. FYI-when you tilt your head back, it opens up the back of your throat and make it easy for water to slide down your nose and coughing and sputtering ensues. After a few tries it FINALLY hit me to swap out masks. This is the situation that cries out for a purge mask. You clear it by blowing out through the nose while your head is in the down position. Since there was no tilting up, she didn't have the reflex to inhale through her nose and the problem was solved.
The second student had his mask so tight that every time he tried to start blowing out, the mask would suction up to his face and he couldn't break the seal. He was a younger diver and I think a little nervous about getting water up the nose. This was easier to solve. You need to start blowing earlier when you are looking down and then continue that as you look up and release the bottom of the skirt of the mask. For some reason everyone can breathe out through the nose easily when you look down. When he did that he broke the seal earlier and didn't get the suction cup action.
These are a few tricks to try if you have issues clearing your mask.
The water was still chilly this night but I put wetsuits on everyone just to be safe and to make sure we could spend all the time we needed in the water. There were 2 students with issues on the mask. One student could blow through her nose and tilt her head back but was always getting water back into her mask and inhaling it through her nose while her head was back. I couldn't get her to stop inhaling while her head was up. FYI-when you tilt your head back, it opens up the back of your throat and make it easy for water to slide down your nose and coughing and sputtering ensues. After a few tries it FINALLY hit me to swap out masks. This is the situation that cries out for a purge mask. You clear it by blowing out through the nose while your head is in the down position. Since there was no tilting up, she didn't have the reflex to inhale through her nose and the problem was solved.
The second student had his mask so tight that every time he tried to start blowing out, the mask would suction up to his face and he couldn't break the seal. He was a younger diver and I think a little nervous about getting water up the nose. This was easier to solve. You need to start blowing earlier when you are looking down and then continue that as you look up and release the bottom of the skirt of the mask. For some reason everyone can breathe out through the nose easily when you look down. When he did that he broke the seal earlier and didn't get the suction cup action.
These are a few tricks to try if you have issues clearing your mask.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Christmas Specials!!
Aeris-Deals on the Atmos AI and Manta computers-TOO GOOD TO PRINT! That’s right, they won’t let us advertise them but call or stop by and we’ll give you the dirt!! (Aeris deals are only until December 8)
Scubapro Zero Prime-Buy any Scubapro first and second stage and BCD with Air 2 and receive a FREE Aladin Prime Wrist Computer!
Shaka Shoes and Sandals-The most comfortable footwear your feet will ever feel!! Brand new styles in stock-20% off!!
Travel Essentials- Super absorbent micro-fiber towels (easy and light weight for packing), travel wallets, stowable carry-on bags and TSA approved locks-all travel products from McNett-15 % off!!
Freestyle and St. Moritz Watches-Every diver needs to know his bottom time, these waterproof watches are perfect! 15% OFF
ALL PADI PRODUCTS-2009 prices are here but we are waiting until January 1 to use them!
PADI ERDP-ML-The Electronic Dive Planner-throw your tables away and use the dive table calculator! The new version can plan multi-level dives as well!! 15% OFF
Mask, Snorkel and Fin Packages-Take an extra 5% off these already great deals!
Intova Underwater Cameras-Check out the latest in underwater cameras. Intova offers a 6 mega pixel digital camera with housing for under $200! Add a strobe, filter, bag and sync cord for under $500. This is a great way to get into underwater photography without breaking the bank!
Scubapro Zero Prime-Buy any Scubapro first and second stage and BCD with Air 2 and receive a FREE Aladin Prime Wrist Computer!
Shaka Shoes and Sandals-The most comfortable footwear your feet will ever feel!! Brand new styles in stock-20% off!!
Travel Essentials- Super absorbent micro-fiber towels (easy and light weight for packing), travel wallets, stowable carry-on bags and TSA approved locks-all travel products from McNett-15 % off!!
Freestyle and St. Moritz Watches-Every diver needs to know his bottom time, these waterproof watches are perfect! 15% OFF
ALL PADI PRODUCTS-2009 prices are here but we are waiting until January 1 to use them!
PADI ERDP-ML-The Electronic Dive Planner-throw your tables away and use the dive table calculator! The new version can plan multi-level dives as well!! 15% OFF
Mask, Snorkel and Fin Packages-Take an extra 5% off these already great deals!
Intova Underwater Cameras-Check out the latest in underwater cameras. Intova offers a 6 mega pixel digital camera with housing for under $200! Add a strobe, filter, bag and sync cord for under $500. This is a great way to get into underwater photography without breaking the bank!
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