VQPP (Vobster Quarry Pit Project) in Action

GLOC · February 25th, 2006, 08:54 AM

Yesterday I went down to Vobster Quay following the regression of a cold I had had during the week and met up with Wilbo, Gledders, Al, Bob Cooper, Mark Chase, Iani (YD) and Andy P (YD) - everyone except Wilbo and I were supposed to be on a dive to the Salsette which was blown out due to weather. Again it showed what strange people UK divers are as most people arrived at the inland dive site in the middle of mild snow storm!

I will let Gledders et al fill in the details of their dives in their replies, including pictures as the only one I have is my Smart car feeling somewhat inadeqaute amongst all the four wheel drives, although at least I didn't manage to lock my keys in my car and have to call out the Audi rescue services...

Arrow in case you missed it!!

The main aim of the day for Wilbo and I was to practice some skills prior to our Fundies course in a fortnight's time with Andy K. It was also to provide a shakedown for my new Pro Explorer drysuit from Ian Clayton at Protec.

First dive wasn't too good, both Wilbo and I were too light, which meant we were both fighting against positive bouyancy. However, it did give me some idea of what the suit was like. Fortunately, so even with zero air in the suit, I am quite a warm person, and with only a set of FE arctics and a couple of thin thermal tops and didn't feel the cold at all with zero air in the suit.

Second dive Mark Chase came in with us, initially the idea was that he was going to go through some DIR-F skills too, but he realised that he was still wearing his undersuit and therefore couldn't reach his valves. He picked up his shiny new toy from Travel Dive and filmed us, or tried to, as the camera was set to record to the memory card rather than the tape so we only got the first part of the drills!!

After not much persuasion I decided to join Gledders, Al, Bob and Mark on a quick scooter trip around to the 6m platform with Al towing me for a third dive. The problem was I had very little gas in my tins, so I borrowed Wilbos as he wasn't getting in. This had two effects - firstly, having the kit all configured the same way meant that there weren't any issues regarding trim and so I could just use the set without worry and the second, was his valves were much tighter than mine (which he knew about and is sorting).

The towing was an interesting experience, I had to sit 6 inches from Al's arse and keep tucked in while scootering along, the 6m platform was much closer than I remembered :D but I am not sure it is £2500 closer

I must say that even being towed, I can see where some task loading can come in for the driver; clearing ears, air in wing and suit, light positioning and team awareness - all good fun...

We got to the platform and I watched Al and Clare go through some drills while trying to maintain some semblance of order wrt my bouyancy and was signalled a couple of times to come down the 50cm I had drifted up! However, when I told them 2 to descend as they had drifted up, I was told where to go - they were halfway through a planned ascent and were switching to O2, ooops.

Shutdowns were next and although on the previous dive with Mark and Wilbo I could do the shutdowns with my own rig, the left post on Wilbo's tins was so tight open, I could not move it and even Al struggled, so I aborted the drill as I wasn't going anywhere. Some more drills were completed before scootering back.

While we were doing the drills, Mark and Bob were having a good scooter around the area. Memorable points for me were watching Bob trying to get as close under us as possible while we hovering over the platform - good effort Bob, looked like a right laugh.

Finishing the dive, Wilbo, Al and I emptied the Quay of all the kit that was used today by Bob, Al and Gledders - just like a scene from the WKPP video, stages & scooters lying everywhere. Hopefully Gledders won't mind me posting a picture from somewhere else of the scene.

The VQPP...!

With regard to the Protec Pro Explorer suit, I am pretty impressed with the service from Ian Clayton. The suit feels nice and provides excellent mobility, the seals are just right, the price was very good (£708 all in and delivered within 12 days). However, the fit is not quite as tight as I was expecting, especially in the legs. Hopefully I can make a more informed comment following a couple of dives tomorrow at Vobster, but I will speaking to Ian first thing monday morning to see what can be done about the fit.

From a skills point of view it was a pretty succesful day, I observed how drills should been done and got more practice in. It was good to meet some people who post on here regularily and put a face to a name. From the suit point of view, I now know how to use a auto-dump (my Nexus had cuff dump only) and it fits pretty well, other than the legs having slightly too much air in them.

A grand day out was had by all as Wallace would say and thanks everyone for their time.

**jb2cool** · February 25th, 2006, 10:34 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC)

........At least I didn't manage to lock my keys in my car and have to call out the Audi rescue services...

Go on, tell us who it was.

Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC)

.........I borrowed Wilbos as he wasn't getting in. This had two effects - firstly, having the kit all configured the same way meant that there weren't any issues regarding trim.......

Shows one of the strengths of DIR perfectly.

*Clare Gledhill* · February 25th, 2006, 12:12 PM

We should have been diving the Salsette, as organised by Mark Chase, but a very senisble skipper (Grahame - Wey Chieftain) cancelled when snow was forecast. Six rather less sensible divers from the trip decided to go to Vobster instead. It was a bit cold!

I nearly packed up and went home before I started when the snow stared coming horizontally into the car when I opened the door - but Al grabbed me and said something which boiled down to 'Shut up - you are diving even if I have to throw you in'

Luckily Bob arrived to break up the fight....

Mark Chase and IanI were already there, as was GLOC who would be diving with Wilbo. AndyP (Mark's buddy) arrived later on - honestly, the three of them together made Vobster like a real live version of grumpy old men

IanI did a very good job of taking the piss out of DIR divers. And then very generously gave me an awful lot of ammunition to take it back in copious amounts....

First dive

Bob wanted to check out the weighting and tracking of his rather large standard Gavin. So we jumped in and did the whole quarry in about twenty minutes - including down the tunnel

Luckily for me, Mark had mentioned to me at Stoney on Wednesday that it is good practice to bump the fins of the diver in front to let them know that you are OK. That way when Bob started bumping me every now and again I didn't feel the urge to thump him!

Bob

Got out and tried to get warm - which took rather a lot of effort. Found IanI looking even more grumpy...

Mark Chase dumped his Inspiration and got out his DIR rig (Al and Bob muttered something about riding with the cowboys and shooting with the indians ) and jumped in with Wilbo and GLOC. Bob started fettling scooters to try to iron out a few problems from the first dive.

We then (eventually) jumped back in for another go. Wilbo had got cold and so Gareth and Mark jumped back in with us. Bob had a spare scooter so Mark used that and Al towed Gareth over to the platforms for a bit of practice.

Al

Al and I (and Bob for that matter) are doing a trip at the end of the year where we will have to dive scooters and three stages (as the dives are in the 60-70 metre range) so there is a great deal of practice to be done. Days like this are helping as I am still new to the Gavin and have helped me get the weighting and trim reasonably good (for fresh water). Managing to add air to my wing, equalise, keep my light in a sensible place and check my gas at the same time as keep on the trigger is proving slightly high on the task loading front! But getting easier....

Me

I was in the middle of doing a shutdown when I looked down and found Bob scootering underneath me!

After a while of not being sure whether I was getting wet I could now feel the water in my suit reach my elbow and it was time to thumb the dive. 5 degrees (4 by Mark's computer) was cold enough....

Gareth

Time to lug out all the equipment - Wilbo and GLOC got busy and dragged everything out while we got our kit off.... calling us back to see what they had amassed. Not bad for three divers...

Not quite the day that we thought we would have when we signed up for Mark's Salsette trip - but a fun one nevertheless.

wilbo · February 25th, 2006, 12:22 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by jb2cool)

Go on, tell us who it was.

Shows one of the strengths of DIR perfectly.

the clues are in Gledder's post..

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was good to see Gledders and Al again, good to meet Bob Cooper, Mark Chase and Andy P, plus our mistery Audi owner..

here are a couple of photos I took yesterday..

(L-R) Al, Bob, Mark and GLOC look onwards, pleased at amount of dive gear on show..

Al and Bob have a knot tying competition. Gledders gives Bob a supportive hand. looks that way doesn't it.. :D

more kit fettling - while gledders eats the chocolate she stole from me..

**Howard Payne** · February 25th, 2006, 01:15 PM

Clare - it was my nemesis wasn't it? :D

I wondered why you were sheepish when I asked who it was! lol

I hope it was all sorted out OK and it didn't ruin his day (genuinely)

Priceless, I shall be dining out on this for months. Lol

Divingniknaks · February 25th, 2006, 01:46 PM

Great reports both of you, I must get down and get Al to tow me round Vobster, that sounds like my kind of dive :D

Good on Ian for providing some usefull ammunition for later use

Clare can I have a hi res copy of the pic of you head on please, would look bloody good blown up in the shop.

Glad you all had a fun day out.

Cheers

wilbo · February 25th, 2006, 07:24 PM

images added..

**jb2cool** · February 25th, 2006, 07:59 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks)

I must get down and get Al to tow me round Vobster, that sounds like my kind of dive :D

You want to spend a whole dive with your head tucked up someones ass?

Mark Chase · February 25th, 2006, 08:14 PM

If you look carefulley you can just see my booted steel 7 sticking out of Bob's arse :D

ATB

Mark Chase

iani · February 26th, 2006, 01:51 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by jb2cool)

Go on, tell us who it was.

It was me, I locked the car with the plastic key so I could take it into the water and within a few seconds the alarm went off, I tried to unlock the car with the key but it wouldn't work. Eventually Audi rescue turned up after about 3 hours, by which time I was very cold. I cocked up and entered the water with my mouthpiece open and as I suspected a flooded loop I canned the dive, mightily pissed off to find the scrubber bone dry on stripping the unit down. All in all not a great day but nice to meet up with ALL who attended (that hurt a bit Clare)

Ian

February 25th, 2006, 08:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,964	VQPP (Vobster Quarry Pit Project) in Action Yesterday I went down to Vobster Quay following the regression of a cold I had had during the week and met up with Wilbo, Gledders, Al, Bob Cooper, Mark Chase, Iani (YD) and Andy P (YD) - everyone except Wilbo and I were supposed to be on a dive to the Salsette which was blown out due to weather. Again it showed what strange people UK divers are as most people arrived at the inland dive site in the middle of mild snow storm! I will let Gledders et al fill in the details of their dives in their replies, including pictures as the only one I have is my Smart car feeling somewhat inadeqaute amongst all the four wheel drives, although at least I didn't manage to lock my keys in my car and have to call out the Audi rescue services... Arrow in case you missed it!! The main aim of the day for Wilbo and I was to practice some skills prior to our Fundies course in a fortnight's time with Andy K. It was also to provide a shakedown for my new Pro Explorer drysuit from Ian Clayton at Protec. First dive wasn't too good, both Wilbo and I were too light, which meant we were both fighting against positive bouyancy. However, it did give me some idea of what the suit was like. Fortunately, so even with zero air in the suit, I am quite a warm person, and with only a set of FE arctics and a couple of thin thermal tops and didn't feel the cold at all with zero air in the suit. Second dive Mark Chase came in with us, initially the idea was that he was going to go through some DIR-F skills too, but he realised that he was still wearing his undersuit and therefore couldn't reach his valves. He picked up his shiny new toy from Travel Dive and filmed us, or tried to, as the camera was set to record to the memory card rather than the tape so we only got the first part of the drills!! After not much persuasion I decided to join Gledders, Al, Bob and Mark on a quick scooter trip around to the 6m platform with Al towing me for a third dive. The problem was I had very little gas in my tins, so I borrowed Wilbos as he wasn't getting in. This had two effects - firstly, having the kit all configured the same way meant that there weren't any issues regarding trim and so I could just use the set without worry and the second, was his valves were much tighter than mine (which he knew about and is sorting). The towing was an interesting experience, I had to sit 6 inches from Al's arse and keep tucked in while scootering along, the 6m platform was much closer than I remembered :D but I am not sure it is £2500 closer I must say that even being towed, I can see where some task loading can come in for the driver; clearing ears, air in wing and suit, light positioning and team awareness - all good fun... We got to the platform and I watched Al and Clare go through some drills while trying to maintain some semblance of order wrt my bouyancy and was signalled a couple of times to come down the 50cm I had drifted up! However, when I told them 2 to descend as they had drifted up, I was told where to go - they were halfway through a planned ascent and were switching to O2, ooops. Shutdowns were next and although on the previous dive with Mark and Wilbo I could do the shutdowns with my own rig, the left post on Wilbo's tins was so tight open, I could not move it and even Al struggled, so I aborted the drill as I wasn't going anywhere. Some more drills were completed before scootering back. While we were doing the drills, Mark and Bob were having a good scooter around the area. Memorable points for me were watching Bob trying to get as close under us as possible while we hovering over the platform - good effort Bob, looked like a right laugh. Finishing the dive, Wilbo, Al and I emptied the Quay of all the kit that was used today by Bob, Al and Gledders - just like a scene from the WKPP video, stages & scooters lying everywhere. Hopefully Gledders won't mind me posting a picture from somewhere else of the scene. The VQPP...! With regard to the Protec Pro Explorer suit, I am pretty impressed with the service from Ian Clayton. The suit feels nice and provides excellent mobility, the seals are just right, the price was very good (£708 all in and delivered within 12 days). However, the fit is not quite as tight as I was expecting, especially in the legs. Hopefully I can make a more informed comment following a couple of dives tomorrow at Vobster, but I will speaking to Ian first thing monday morning to see what can be done about the fit. From a skills point of view it was a pretty succesful day, I observed how drills should been done and got more practice in. It was good to meet some people who post on here regularily and put a face to a name. From the suit point of view, I now know how to use a auto-dump (my Nexus had cuff dump only) and it fits pretty well, other than the legs having slightly too much air in them. A grand day out was had by all as Wallace would say and thanks everyone for their time.

February 25th, 2006, 10:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
jb2cool(Offline) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 798	Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC) ........At least I didn't manage to lock my keys in my car and have to call out the Audi rescue services... Go on, tell us who it was. Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC) .........I borrowed Wilbos as he wasn't getting in. This had two effects - firstly, having the kit all configured the same way meant that there weren't any issues regarding trim....... Shows one of the strengths of DIR perfectly. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com Last edited by techadmin; February 25th, 2006 at 10:40 AM. Reason: fixed top quote

February 25th, 2006, 12:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	We should have been diving the Salsette, as organised by Mark Chase, but a very senisble skipper (Grahame - Wey Chieftain) cancelled when snow was forecast. Six rather less sensible divers from the trip decided to go to Vobster instead. It was a bit cold! I nearly packed up and went home before I started when the snow stared coming horizontally into the car when I opened the door - but Al grabbed me and said something which boiled down to 'Shut up - you are diving even if I have to throw you in' Luckily Bob arrived to break up the fight.... Mark Chase and IanI were already there, as was GLOC who would be diving with Wilbo. AndyP (Mark's buddy) arrived later on - honestly, the three of them together made Vobster like a real live version of grumpy old men IanI did a very good job of taking the piss out of DIR divers. And then very generously gave me an awful lot of ammunition to take it back in copious amounts.... First dive Bob wanted to check out the weighting and tracking of his rather large standard Gavin. So we jumped in and did the whole quarry in about twenty minutes - including down the tunnel Luckily for me, Mark had mentioned to me at Stoney on Wednesday that it is good practice to bump the fins of the diver in front to let them know that you are OK. That way when Bob started bumping me every now and again I didn't feel the urge to thump him! Bob Got out and tried to get warm - which took rather a lot of effort. Found IanI looking even more grumpy... Mark Chase dumped his Inspiration and got out his DIR rig (Al and Bob muttered something about riding with the cowboys and shooting with the indians ) and jumped in with Wilbo and GLOC. Bob started fettling scooters to try to iron out a few problems from the first dive. We then (eventually) jumped back in for another go. Wilbo had got cold and so Gareth and Mark jumped back in with us. Bob had a spare scooter so Mark used that and Al towed Gareth over to the platforms for a bit of practice. Al Al and I (and Bob for that matter) are doing a trip at the end of the year where we will have to dive scooters and three stages (as the dives are in the 60-70 metre range) so there is a great deal of practice to be done. Days like this are helping as I am still new to the Gavin and have helped me get the weighting and trim reasonably good (for fresh water). Managing to add air to my wing, equalise, keep my light in a sensible place and check my gas at the same time as keep on the trigger is proving slightly high on the task loading front! But getting easier.... Me I was in the middle of doing a shutdown when I looked down and found Bob scootering underneath me! After a while of not being sure whether I was getting wet I could now feel the water in my suit reach my elbow and it was time to thumb the dive. 5 degrees (4 by Mark's computer) was cold enough.... Gareth Time to lug out all the equipment - Wilbo and GLOC got busy and dragged everything out while we got our kit off.... calling us back to see what they had amassed. Not bad for three divers... Not quite the day that we thought we would have when we signed up for Mark's Salsette trip - but a fun one nevertheless. __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

February 25th, 2006, 12:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
wilbo(Offline) Chimp 4 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 873	Quote: (Originally Posted by jb2cool) Go on, tell us who it was. Shows one of the strengths of DIR perfectly. the clues are in Gledder's post.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was good to see Gledders and Al again, good to meet Bob Cooper, Mark Chase and Andy P, plus our mistery Audi owner.. here are a couple of photos I took yesterday.. (L-R) Al, Bob, Mark and GLOC look onwards, pleased at amount of dive gear on show.. Al and Bob have a knot tying competition. Gledders gives Bob a supportive hand. looks that way doesn't it.. :D more kit fettling - while gledders eats the chocolate she stole from me.. __________________ Cheers! Wilbo DIR explorers: DIR Yorkshire Divers: YorkshireDivers One of the Foxturd chimps Last edited by wilbo; February 25th, 2006 at 06:00 PM. Reason: add some photos

February 25th, 2006, 01:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
Howard Payne(Offline) Strokey Dokily Doo Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,202	Clare - it was my nemesis wasn't it? :D I wondered why you were sheepish when I asked who it was! lol I hope it was all sorted out OK and it didn't ruin his day (genuinely) Priceless, I shall be dining out on this for months. Lol __________________ The Foxturd Chimp Last edited by Howard Payne; February 25th, 2006 at 05:11 PM.

February 25th, 2006, 01:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,038	Great reports both of you, I must get down and get Al to tow me round Vobster, that sounds like my kind of dive :D Good on Ian for providing some usefull ammunition for later use Clare can I have a hi res copy of the pic of you head on please, would look bloody good blown up in the shop. Glad you all had a fun day out. Cheers __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

February 25th, 2006, 07:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
wilbo(Offline) Chimp 4 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 873	images added.. __________________ Cheers! Wilbo DIR explorers: DIR Yorkshire Divers: YorkshireDivers One of the Foxturd chimps

February 25th, 2006, 07:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
jb2cool(Offline) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 798	Quote: (Originally Posted by Divingniknaks) I must get down and get Al to tow me round Vobster, that sounds like my kind of dive :D You want to spend a whole dive with your head tucked up someones ass? __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

February 25th, 2006, 08:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mark Chase(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Kent England Posts: 905	If you look carefulley you can just see my booted steel 7 sticking out of Bob's arse :D ATB Mark Chase __________________ The only DIR Inspiration diver in the village

February 26th, 2006, 01:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
iani(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Middlesex Posts: 76	Quote: (Originally Posted by jb2cool) Go on, tell us who it was. It was me, I locked the car with the plastic key so I could take it into the water and within a few seconds the alarm went off, I tried to unlock the car with the key but it wouldn't work. Eventually Audi rescue turned up after about 3 hours, by which time I was very cold. I cocked up and entered the water with my mouthpiece open and as I suspected a flooded loop I canned the dive, mightily pissed off to find the scrubber bone dry on stripping the unit down. All in all not a great day but nice to meet up with ALL who attended (that hurt a bit Clare) Ian