Take only what you need!

**Alastair** · December 18th, 2005, 09:01 PM

The saying goes that you should only take what you need. So twin-12's, two stage bottles and a gavin scooter. What could our objective be? The less than amazing answer is our local quarry! I wanted to try out my new Gavin and Clare wanted to try out my second set of Heisers. We also planned to have a bit of play carrying two stages once the battery power on the scooters was exhausted.

Here's a snap of me nervously looking over my new toy wondering if it will flood on it's first immersion!

Needless to say the new scooter was sound and worked perfectly. I followed Rich Walker's advice and stuck an ankle weight in the top of the scooter and found that actually the scooter was nearly perfectly weighted just like that. Both Andy Kerslakes and Bob Cooper's previous info on scooters helped massively as I had an idea what to look for.

First dive we toured round most of the features in the quarry in no time at all. As this was my 5th play with a Gavin I had an idea of the basics and found I was able to motor along quite happily. I tried to look cool as I passed a couple of divers and paused to let Clare pull up alongside me. Unfortunately I'd forgotten to keep my buoyancy correct and headed towards the bottom as soon as I'd stopped

all pretence of cool vanished as I grabbed the wing inflator.

All too soon we reached the end of the dive. As it turned out Clare's hands were freezing and she put it down to the flow of water while scootering.

Second dive and I took an AL80 and AL40 (brand new - courtsey of Divingniknaks) for a swim round. We did a little bit of bottle juggling between us and Clare tried out a leash. Nice 2nd dive but with the water at 8 degrees C (46F) we decided against a third dive.

Clare next to the gear.

An excellent day out, needless to say I'm chuffed with the scooter and reckon it will keep me busy over the next few winter months when the coast gets blown out.

Cheers
Al

*Clare Gledhill* · December 18th, 2005, 09:51 PM

Ha ha !!! You should have seen him carry it in to the water like a new born baby

It was good fun - I didn't realise how small the quarry is until today... but the flow of water over my hands meant that the first dive had to be cut short at about 40 minutes as I couldn't feel my fingers any more

First time using a leash for the third stage which I have to say was a PITA - I'll post on another thread about this to get some advice as I am convinced that I must have been doing something wrong. Apart from that - a good day, the Heiser cylinders were very nice but I'm not sure that it's worth my buying two sets.... I can think of other things to spend the money on - like a dry suit that doesn't leak like a sieve....

daz · December 18th, 2005, 09:59 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders)

I must have been doing soemthing wrong.

You should have your tech1 card removed and should be banished forever.

Daz

*Clare Gledhill* · December 18th, 2005, 10:07 PM

Oi you... that's enough of that or I tell about you and Al getting rather too close in the NDC on Friday

daz · December 18th, 2005, 10:17 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders)

Oi you... that's enough of that or I tell about you and Al getting rather too close in the NDC on Friday

Well I must confess I was quite surprised that the team effort goes as far as having a fellow team mate hold it when you get it out.

He really should warm his hands next time though....

Daz

**Alastair** · December 18th, 2005, 10:47 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by daz)

Well I must confess I was quite surprised that the team effort goes as far as having a fellow team mate hold it when you get it out.

He really should warm his hands next time though....

Daz

When a task like that needs two hands Daz - what else can you do.

***Bob Cooper*** · December 18th, 2005, 11:31 PM

Looks like you had a fun day out!

Sorry I couldn't join you. I spent most of today doing my Christmas shopping!

A minor point..... Don't stand those scooters on their nose cones! When they fall over (which they inevitably will), it can do some considerable damage.

Bob

December 18th, 2005, 09:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Take only what you need! The saying goes that you should only take what you need. So twin-12's, two stage bottles and a gavin scooter. What could our objective be? The less than amazing answer is our local quarry! I wanted to try out my new Gavin and Clare wanted to try out my second set of Heisers. We also planned to have a bit of play carrying two stages once the battery power on the scooters was exhausted. Here's a snap of me nervously looking over my new toy wondering if it will flood on it's first immersion! Needless to say the new scooter was sound and worked perfectly. I followed Rich Walker's advice and stuck an ankle weight in the top of the scooter and found that actually the scooter was nearly perfectly weighted just like that. Both Andy Kerslakes and Bob Cooper's previous info on scooters helped massively as I had an idea what to look for. First dive we toured round most of the features in the quarry in no time at all. As this was my 5th play with a Gavin I had an idea of the basics and found I was able to motor along quite happily. I tried to look cool as I passed a couple of divers and paused to let Clare pull up alongside me. Unfortunately I'd forgotten to keep my buoyancy correct and headed towards the bottom as soon as I'd stopped all pretence of cool vanished as I grabbed the wing inflator. All too soon we reached the end of the dive. As it turned out Clare's hands were freezing and she put it down to the flow of water while scootering. Second dive and I took an AL80 and AL40 (brand new - courtsey of Divingniknaks) for a swim round. We did a little bit of bottle juggling between us and Clare tried out a leash. Nice 2nd dive but with the water at 8 degrees C (46F) we decided against a third dive. Clare next to the gear. An excellent day out, needless to say I'm chuffed with the scooter and reckon it will keep me busy over the next few winter months when the coast gets blown out. Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

December 18th, 2005, 09:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	Ha ha !!! You should have seen him carry it in to the water like a new born baby It was good fun - I didn't realise how small the quarry is until today... but the flow of water over my hands meant that the first dive had to be cut short at about 40 minutes as I couldn't feel my fingers any more First time using a leash for the third stage which I have to say was a PITA - I'll post on another thread about this to get some advice as I am convinced that I must have been doing something wrong. Apart from that - a good day, the Heiser cylinders were very nice but I'm not sure that it's worth my buying two sets.... I can think of other things to spend the money on - like a dry suit that doesn't leak like a sieve.... __________________ 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 Last edited by Clare Gledhill; December 18th, 2005 at 10:07 PM.

December 18th, 2005, 10:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	Oi you... that's enough of that or I tell about you and Al getting rather too close in the NDC on Friday __________________ 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 18th, 2005, 10:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Quote: (Originally Posted by daz) Well I must confess I was quite surprised that the team effort goes as far as having a fellow team mate hold it when you get it out. He really should warm his hands next time though.... Daz When a task like that needs two hands Daz - what else can you do. __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

December 18th, 2005, 09:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
daz(Offline) "Don't worry I'm approved" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 209	Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders) I must have been doing soemthing wrong. You should have your tech1 card removed and should be banished forever. Daz

December 18th, 2005, 10:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
daz(Offline) "Don't worry I'm approved" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 209	Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders) Oi you... that's enough of that or I tell about you and Al getting rather too close in the NDC on Friday Well I must confess I was quite surprised that the team effort goes as far as having a fellow team mate hold it when you get it out. He really should warm his hands next time though.... Daz

December 18th, 2005, 11:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
*Bob Cooper*(Offline) Moderator - "Don't stop me now!" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South East London, UK Posts: 681	Looks like you had a fun day out! Sorry I couldn't join you. I spent most of today doing my Christmas shopping! A minor point..... Don't stand those scooters on their nose cones! When they fall over (which they inevitably will), it can do some considerable damage. Bob