Wannabees Didn't Do the Kyarra :(

GLOC · November 30th, 2005, 11:06 PM

Everyone was ready to go and glad to be getting wet in seawater rather than fresh and then I got a phone call at 09:05 from Pete at Divers Down to say that the forecast was pants and that the trip was off.

I quickly phoned everyone before they set off to let know that the backup plan of NDAC was on. Howard, Gledders and Arne weren't coming. Howard because it was something about being too cold for semi's and Gledders because she couldn't be a**ed or something like that! :p

Pitched up at NDAC and got a phonecall from Gledders to say that she would be coming after all, yipee, someone who knew what they were doing DIR who could tell us

Before we jumped in I took my new camera (alright its new to me but has had some cosmetic adjustments from a dremel) for a pressure test at 25-30m. It leaked but not from my adjustments, some of the original O-rings have leaked so off to sort those out. That will have to tested at Stoney on 14th Dec.

Rob, Neil, Wilbo and I kitted up and jumped in at 12:40 knowing that it would be tight for a 2 dive day with an out of water time of 16:00

Light sabres lit we did battle with the cold (ish) water of NDAC at 10 degrees from surface to 25m. Bimbled around, through some tubes (the short ones), saw where some other divers had been by the fact that the team was drifting in and out of thick silty fog and round under the pontoon for some blob practice. My go today as I was abysmal at Stoney last week. Everything seemed fine until we got to about 8m when Neil decides that we should practice entanglements (unintentionally) and wraps himself up in the line and the anchor of the pontoon! That gets sorted and we slowly ascend to pissing rain in the quarry and freezing cold bodies (except me who is toasty warm in my nice new FE Artics - thanks Mark). Battle with getting the fins off and up for a mug of tea and bacon and egg butty! Rob contemplating whether he really wants to Deco with Mark P in Jan and Neil thinking about not doing IANTD RD in Jan! Girls I tell you!

Bumped into Mark Powell for a chat. Filled tins awaiting dive #2.

Gledders in the meantime had jumped in with Howard Payne and his DM mate Arne for a quick dive before getting back in with Rob, Wilbo and myself. Neil deciding that his hair had been messed up enough on the first dive

and so was not joining us. Besides he is good enough that he only needs to dive once on a trip to maintain his skills

Wilbo lead, me 2 and Rob 3, Gledders floating out to the side keeping a gentle eye on her flock! Down to 25m and then slowly back to the 8-10m ledge area for some simulated OOA drills with Gledders. Both Wilbo and I now know that when she points and then signs OOA, she doesn't mean she is OOA, we are and that we should get some gas! Around to the training area and ascend. Climbed out at 16:00 and heard Howard say that he was right, he does need a drysuit to dive quarries this time of year!

All in all a good day out, would have been better if we had been on the south coast but it did provide us with another training opportunity for the team before Fundies in March next year.

*Clare Gledhill* · November 30th, 2005, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Howard, Gledders and Arne weren't coming. Howard because it was something about being too cold for semi's and Gledders because she couldn't be a**ed or something like that!

Well to be honest I really didn't fancy a quarry today - Ginny Springs sort of spoilt that for me

But then Howard phoned and asked whether I would come and show him the DIR ropes so to speak. That's hard to say no to - and the kit was already in the car.... I'll let Howard give his thoughts on whether it was worth it - but I had a fun dive with him and Arne.

The boys were in fine form again and I had a fun dive with them too. And Rob brought chocolate so all was well.

So alls well that ends well - the Kyarra would have been more fun but you can't have it all. At least I got to dive today

GLOC · December 1st, 2005, 12:03 AM

Sorry Clare, I thought I put a smiley after that quote. I will amend it now as I know you didn't fancy a quarry dive after being spoilt in warmer climes.

Quote: (Originally Posted by CHG)

Well to be honest I really didn't fancy a quarry today - Ginny Springs sort of spoilt that for me

Rob Dobson · December 1st, 2005, 01:04 AM

We got wet - it was better than unpacking the car and spending the day in a sulk after the boat was cancelled. It was a laugh, it was parctice, it got me out of the house. Would I do it again tomorrow?

Nope. It'll take me a week to warm up....

ellisn · December 1st, 2005, 10:31 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC)

..he only needs to dive once on a trip to maintain his skills

Truth of the mater MR Gloc, was that my trim was out which meant I could not remain horizontal while stationary. Therefore decided that while my tanks were empty I would move the bands up and hope to rectify the problem, but as it was nearly 3pm didn't think you would all want to wait around while I was faffing. Besides I knew you would all want a hot tea fetched for you

Neil

wilbo · December 1st, 2005, 11:37 AM

it were bleedin' cold yesterday.. Brrrr..

I won't attempt to dissect yesterdays dives. its experience - and it will improve.

Yet another dive where I was not satisfied with my hand signalling ability due to my mitts.. I need some gloves..

Can I not have warmth and dexterity from a pair of gloves? dry gloves are a non starter. Really don't want 7mm gloves.. what I need are a good set of 4 or 5mm gloves that don't allow a flush and allow reasonable use of fingers..

what do other DIR divers use?

TIA..

***EBT*** · December 1st, 2005, 12:29 PM

Wilbo. Scubapoo's gloves with the semi dry seal are pretty good. If you stick on a set of 'surgical' gloves underneath they're not bad (available from halfords/B&Q etc).

Personally, I goto mittens in the depths of winter.... you can signal, it just takes more practise and can make some of the numbering.. "interesting"

Dont forget that gloves "age" as well. Subject to regularity/depth of immersion, the neoprene compresses and loses insulation. It might just be you need new gloves, ya tight arse

Rob Dobson · December 1st, 2005, 12:30 PM

I've a few different gloves (about 8 different types) and I've found that fit is the most important element. A tight fitting 3mm glove will keep you warmer than a looser 5mm glove. I find 5mm gloves make cliping off that bit harder so I stick to 3mm whenever possible. I find Scubapro gloves fit me better than any of the others I have tried but that is purely down to individual sizing.

I have a new pair of O'three gloves if you want to try them.

wilbo · December 1st, 2005, 05:18 PM

forgot to say - sorry for hijacking the thread there Gareth..

Diving Dude · December 1st, 2005, 09:33 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders)

But then Howard phoned and asked whether I would come and show him the DIR ropes so to speak.......

How to dive my DBOD der stylee? :D

EDIT

Clare not fancying a quarry

This is what happens when you dive with me :D

November 30th, 2005, 11:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,964	Wannabees Didn't Do the Kyarra :( Everyone was ready to go and glad to be getting wet in seawater rather than fresh and then I got a phone call at 09:05 from Pete at Divers Down to say that the forecast was pants and that the trip was off. I quickly phoned everyone before they set off to let know that the backup plan of NDAC was on. Howard, Gledders and Arne weren't coming. Howard because it was something about being too cold for semi's and Gledders because she couldn't be a*ed or something like that! :p Pitched up at NDAC and got a phonecall from Gledders to say that she would be coming after all, yipee, someone who knew what they were doing DIR who could tell us Before we jumped in I took my new camera (alright its new to me but has had some cosmetic adjustments from a dremel) for a pressure test at 25-30m. It leaked but not from my adjustments, some of the original O-rings have leaked so off to sort those out. That will have to tested at Stoney on 14th Dec. Rob, Neil, Wilbo and I kitted up and jumped in at 12:40 knowing that it would be tight for a 2 dive day with an out of water time of 16:00 Light sabres lit we did battle with the cold (ish) water of NDAC at 10 degrees from surface to 25m. Bimbled around, through some tubes (the short ones), saw where some other divers had been by the fact that the team was drifting in and out of thick silty fog and round under the pontoon for some blob practice. My go today as I was abysmal at Stoney last week. Everything seemed fine until we got to about 8m when Neil decides that we should practice entanglements (unintentionally) and wraps himself up in the line and the anchor of the pontoon! That gets sorted and we slowly ascend to pissing rain in the quarry and freezing cold bodies (except me who is toasty warm in my nice new FE Artics - thanks Mark). Battle with getting the fins off and up for a mug of tea and bacon and egg butty! Rob contemplating whether he really wants to Deco with Mark P in Jan and Neil thinking about not doing IANTD RD in Jan! Girls I tell you! Bumped into Mark Powell for a chat. Filled tins awaiting dive #2. Gledders in the meantime had jumped in with Howard Payne and his DM mate Arne for a quick dive before getting back in with Rob, Wilbo and myself. Neil deciding that his hair had been messed up enough on the first dive and so was not joining us. Besides he is good enough that he only needs to dive once on a trip to maintain his skills Wilbo lead, me 2 and Rob 3, Gledders floating out to the side keeping a gentle eye on her flock! Down to 25m and then slowly back to the 8-10m ledge area for some simulated OOA drills with Gledders. Both Wilbo and I now know that when she points and then signs OOA, she doesn't mean she is OOA, we are and that we should get some gas! Around to the training area and ascend. Climbed out at 16:00 and heard Howard say that he was right, he does need a drysuit to dive quarries this time of year! All in all a good day out, would have been better if we had been on the south coast but it did provide us with another training opportunity for the team before Fundies in March next year. Last edited by GLOC; December 1st, 2005 at 12:03 AM.*

November 30th, 2005, 11:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	Quote: Howard, Gledders and Arne weren't coming. Howard because it was something about being too cold for semi's and Gledders because she couldn't be a**ed or something like that! Well to be honest I really didn't fancy a quarry today - Ginny Springs sort of spoilt that for me But then Howard phoned and asked whether I would come and show him the DIR ropes so to speak. That's hard to say no to - and the kit was already in the car.... I'll let Howard give his thoughts on whether it was worth it - but I had a fun dive with him and Arne. The boys were in fine form again and I had a fun dive with them too. And Rob brought chocolate so all was well. So alls well that ends well - the Kyarra would have been more fun but you can't have it all. At least I got to dive today __________________ 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

December 1st, 2005, 11:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
wilbo(Offline) Chimp 4 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 873	it were bleedin' cold yesterday.. Brrrr.. I won't attempt to dissect yesterdays dives. its experience - and it will improve. Yet another dive where I was not satisfied with my hand signalling ability due to my mitts.. I need some gloves.. Can I not have warmth and dexterity from a pair of gloves? dry gloves are a non starter. Really don't want 7mm gloves.. what I need are a good set of 4 or 5mm gloves that don't allow a flush and allow reasonable use of fingers.. what do other DIR divers use? TIA.. __________________ Cheers! Wilbo DIR explorers: DIR Yorkshire Divers: YorkshireDivers One of the Foxturd chimps

December 1st, 2005, 05:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
wilbo(Offline) Chimp 4 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 873	forgot to say - sorry for hijacking the thread there Gareth.. __________________ Cheers! Wilbo DIR explorers: DIR Yorkshire Divers: YorkshireDivers One of the Foxturd chimps

December 1st, 2005, 09:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Diving Dude(Offline) new member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Stanmore Posts: 27	Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders) But then Howard phoned and asked whether I would come and show him the DIR ropes so to speak....... How to dive my DBOD der stylee? :D EDIT Clare not fancying a quarry This is what happens when you dive with me :D __________________ Howard Last edited by Diving Dude; December 1st, 2005 at 09:36 PM.

December 1st, 2005, 12:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
GLOC (Online) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fleet, Hants Posts: 1,964	Sorry Clare, I thought I put a smiley after that quote. I will amend it now as I know you didn't fancy a quarry dive after being spoilt in warmer climes. Quote: (Originally Posted by CHG) Well to be honest I really didn't fancy a quarry today - Ginny Springs sort of spoilt that for me

December 1st, 2005, 01:04 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) Chillin' with the ninjas Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 536	We got wet - it was better than unpacking the car and spending the day in a sulk after the boat was cancelled. It was a laugh, it was parctice, it got me out of the house. Would I do it again tomorrow? Nope. It'll take me a week to warm up....

December 1st, 2005, 10:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
ellisn(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Swindon Posts: 89	Quote: (Originally Posted by GLOC) ..he only needs to dive once on a trip to maintain his skills Truth of the mater MR Gloc, was that my trim was out which meant I could not remain horizontal while stationary. Therefore decided that while my tanks were empty I would move the bands up and hope to rectify the problem, but as it was nearly 3pm didn't think you would all want to wait around while I was faffing. Besides I knew you would all want a hot tea fetched for you Neil

December 1st, 2005, 12:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
*EBT*(Offline) Just another crouton... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 414	Wilbo. Scubapoo's gloves with the semi dry seal are pretty good. If you stick on a set of 'surgical' gloves underneath they're not bad (available from halfords/B&Q etc). Personally, I goto mittens in the depths of winter.... you can signal, it just takes more practise and can make some of the numbering.. "interesting" Dont forget that gloves "age" as well. Subject to regularity/depth of immersion, the neoprene compresses and loses insulation. It might just be you need new gloves, ya tight arse

December 1st, 2005, 12:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rob Dobson(Offline) Chillin' with the ninjas Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 536	I've a few different gloves (about 8 different types) and I've found that fit is the most important element. A tight fitting 3mm glove will keep you warmer than a looser 5mm glove. I find 5mm gloves make cliping off that bit harder so I stick to 3mm whenever possible. I find Scubapro gloves fit me better than any of the others I have tried but that is purely down to individual sizing. I have a new pair of O'three gloves if you want to try them.