Whilst everyone else had fun at the Stoney gig.....

Mal Bridgeman · January 10th, 2006, 03:03 PM

....I had the pleasure of diving with some well known people from the forum for different reasons.

Over the last year or so my diving has taken a more significantly Technical bent. The rationale was three fold....partly to increase skills level and competence for doing more UK diving, partly for the challenge of it and partly to give me an outlet for diving for diving's sake. As a recreational Scuba Instructor I tend to fall into that mode even when paying to go diving. It's not a problem, else I wouldn't do it, but sometimes I like to just go diving...I am sure those in the same boat will probably understand what I mean.

Inspired by various course reports on YD (which is why I like to share my own experiences) I did the TDI Advanced Nitrox & Deco procedures course with with Mark Powell last year and as well as learning a shed load about Technical diving from him, one of the pieces of advice Mark gave was to absorb info from a number of sources. So 2006, I decided would be the year of Trimix (Normoxic of course) so again turned to YD for info and found Frank Bruce from e-Aquanauts. I had met Frank briefly whilst doing my AN&DP course so choosing him was not a completely unknown quantity and he came well recommended from a number of sources too. "Don't choose him if you want an easy option" I was advised. So he seemed to suit.

We made contact and rather than book me a date on a course as I had expected he asked to meet me and go diving.....as a pre-Assessment. He could see me in the water and get an idea of where my skill levels were and whether I was ready to do the course. Although initially a little surprised at this approach....as the weeks went past and the date of the Pre-Assessment arrived I began to appreciate that is exactly what I wanted and actually started to look at the day much more positively....although as with any assessment there was a degree of trepidation.

I went for a dive before Xmas with one of his better known DMs where we were able to discuss a number of things about my current skills and trim. Both needed some work especially trim and the things that come from having trim sorted. So I have been busy trying to do that....difficult not being able to get in the water much over Xmas but a bit of kit fettling and "visualisation" I decided to go up to Stoney on Saturday to check it out in water.

I went with a guy who dives with the LDS and although had only 25 dives to his name made the perfect buddy for the day.

I met Howard (The Diving Dude), who told me he was doing some more DBOD work, but really we all know he has become a confirmed puddle diver, as well as a number of other Yorkshire Divers so the whole day had a bit of a social feel

Dive 1 of the day was great - all my shutdown, stage handling and OOG drills were fine though I felt a little feet light but not too bad.... Although the temp was only 6-7degC we went over to the Stanegarth then to the bus then out for Hot Chocolate in the snow!

Dive 2 was pretty much the same only we spent more time around the Stanegarth and practiced the SMB deployment. Again went well....but the feet were still tending northwards

I had met Davey Willo and Jen (she of the catheter fame!!) during the day since Davey was doing me a favour and taking my Salvo to Phill to be upgraded. Davey joined us for the last dive which was less than elegant from me. Feet were far too floaty with the lower amount of gas in the tanks, so too much fin movement and body tension to try to keep level so I couldn't do the shutdowns properly...Thank goodness this happened on the Saturday!! and Thanks for not laughing too much, Davey.

Thought about it overnight and decided what I needed to change for Sunday. Met up with the Frank on Sunday to find it was not going to be just me and him...but Frank, Justin (his Divemaster), Alastair (Alistair) & Clare (Gledders), Andy Kerslake (national GUE Instructor)...and lil ole me ....Bl**dy H*ll Frank, Have you been selling tickets? I thought!!

Although Dive 1 started badly for me because my newly upgraded light failed

.... the rest went reasonably though. Shutdowns and S-drills were performed ok....but some polish required in speed and team awareness whilst doing the drills. The feedback at the end of the dive was reasonably positive too...well in a "you need to improve this" and "polish that" and "think about this" and "learn that" kind of way ! But all fair comment.

Because of my light failure, we had decided that because I would not be able to use my light, it would be best for me to be first in the line of four. Feedback at the end of the dive suggested that was a wrong decision ....I should have been sandwiched between two other divers who had working lights. It did make me think though, that I had been chosen to lead the navigation because they thought I would be able to find the objective

A number of smallish incidents occured during the dive but were dealt with. On the ascent though, all sorts of things were going wrong

Poor air management meant different people were going out of air, poor SMB deployment technique meant that the dSMB somehow went up then came staight back down again....then because we were all tired we took it in turns to tow each other back to shore.

We (same team) went in for a second dive of skills (shutdowns & S-Drills) and with some input from Andy Kerslake, practiced bringing up unconscious divers and divers who were O2 toxing.....very impressive stuff. I quiet enjoyed that because it was different to the recreational approach and has triggered me to think about these issues in a different way. As Frank explained, one needs to have thought about how one might react to an O2 tox or unconscious diver at depth when both divers have possibly an hour of deco to do.

We then did some handling of stages but that did not go so great. I have only ever handled one and this time I needed to handle 2 so more practice needed. Ali 80s filled to be neutral are a delight to handle I found whereas the 7l was a real PITA. I have a 40 & and 80 so will play with them to get this all much slicker.

The day then descended into a Social occasion as the DIR Explorers Gig was in full flow.

I have subsequently had a de-brief from Frank on the things to do some work on ....again in a "improve this" and "polish that" and "think about this" and "learn that" kind of way ! But all fair comment still.......and also we have sketched out the next steps of the course schedule.

I am planning a couple of pool sessions to work on getting trim much more horizontal .... I did not realise how far out of horizontal I was(knees are down a foot

), so that will provide some entertainment....plus give me the chance to practice with the two stages....then meet up with Frank to progress with the next stage (pun intended).

I met loads of YDers & DIRX's over the weekend and as always it's great to be able to put faces to the names.

Thanks particularly to Justin, Clare & Al for being my buddies .....and, of course, Frank & Andy for an inspiring day.

Phil O · January 10th, 2006, 10:08 PM

Sounds like you had a fruitful weekend.

Nice write up

Davey Willo · January 11th, 2006, 10:50 AM

Good writeup Mal, twas good to meet you too.

I'm glad having the biggest and most critical of audiences on the Sunday didn't phase you too much :D

See you again soon mate.

*Clare Gledhill* · January 12th, 2006, 08:07 PM

It was an interesting series of dives.

The day started when I arrived at Stoney, met Al, and parked the car in the bottom car park without having to use the reserved space. that's what you get when you tell people that Andy Kerslake is coming - space at 8am in Stoney on a Sunday :D

We then headed off to Willowmead for breakfast. I don't think Frank was too impressed when we left him in the car park saying 'see you later when we've had a full english fry up' Infact, he swore he would have his revenge on us

Back at Stoney we kitted up and met up with Justin and Mal. Dive 1 went ahead without any problems (apart from Mal's aforementioned torch) We agreed a thirty minute bottom time - S drills, valve drills (oops - sorry - wrong order) and we then set off for the Stanegarth with Mal in the lead. Al had a fixable valve failure on the way - no problems dealing with that and then, as Mal said, a few simulated failures on the boat led to my thumbing the dive early but all involved coped with the ascent well (two out of air, one DSMB deployment failure) as described.

Whilst Al went off to play scooters with Pete, Dive 2 for me was with John Kendall, Mark, David Martin and Rachael, to put up the snowman. Hopefully some underwater photos of this will emerge eventually I know Mark got some good ones. But it was a laugh.

Dive 3 was to be rescue skills with Kerslake and Frank again. Dropped in told to do valve drills and s drills first. I was number two so launched in to my valve drill when requested. Shut off 1st post, breathed it down, clipped it off, switched it back on. Isolated etc., Left post off, breathe it down, switched back to primary. NO AIR! Switch to back up - NO AIR! Hmm...

I simply have no idea what is going on. I go OOA to Al and once on his long hose signal WTF? He indicates by use of some *choice* signals that Frank has been playing around. He fires up my right post and I flow check to assure myself that all is well.

So what happened? Essentially I turned off my right post, but whilst I was breathing it down and clipping it off, Frank turned it on again. This means that when I returned to it and turned it 'on' I was actually turning it off again. Neat trick Mr Bruce - teach me to think about what I am doing in future.

We then do some toxing diver and unconscious diver lifts. When Al comes towards me for the toxing diver lift I cross myself as when he tried it on Tech 1 I almost drowned

Much, much better this time - for both of us and we certainly feel that we have a sound enough basis to permit further practice now.

A bit of stage juggling next. Justin and I pass the stages between us quite quickly and wait for Al and Mal to do the same. I'm chilling out (literally) when two eyes appear upside in front of my mask - Kerslake has got bored and whilst lying on top of me - has ducked his head down to give me a fright! :D Funniest thing is that I discuss this with Justin yesterday and he was of the view that Al had passed him the stages - that's what we get for matching drysuits then

I'm so cold that I appear to be toxing myself (shivering so much it is visible) so Frank orders me out of the water. But all in all a fun day - and I hope everyone else has as good a time as me

*JohnKendall* · January 12th, 2006, 08:13 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders)

Whilst Al went off to play scooters with Pete, Dive 2 for me was with John Kendall, Mark, David Martin and Rachael, to put up the snowman. Hopefully some underwater phoos of this will emerge eventually I know Mark got some good ones. But it was a laugh.

Not if he knows what's good for him they wont!

J

*Clare Gledhill* · January 12th, 2006, 08:14 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall)

Not if he knows what's good for him they wont!

J

Ah - yes - those ones John.

My silence (and his I'm sure) can be bought :D

January 10th, 2006, 03:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mal Bridgeman(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 662	Whilst everyone else had fun at the Stoney gig..... ....I had the pleasure of diving with some well known people from the forum for different reasons. Over the last year or so my diving has taken a more significantly Technical bent. The rationale was three fold....partly to increase skills level and competence for doing more UK diving, partly for the challenge of it and partly to give me an outlet for diving for diving's sake. As a recreational Scuba Instructor I tend to fall into that mode even when paying to go diving. It's not a problem, else I wouldn't do it, but sometimes I like to just go diving...I am sure those in the same boat will probably understand what I mean. Inspired by various course reports on YD (which is why I like to share my own experiences) I did the TDI Advanced Nitrox & Deco procedures course with with Mark Powell last year and as well as learning a shed load about Technical diving from him, one of the pieces of advice Mark gave was to absorb info from a number of sources. So 2006, I decided would be the year of Trimix (Normoxic of course) so again turned to YD for info and found Frank Bruce from e-Aquanauts. I had met Frank briefly whilst doing my AN&DP course so choosing him was not a completely unknown quantity and he came well recommended from a number of sources too. "Don't choose him if you want an easy option" I was advised. So he seemed to suit. We made contact and rather than book me a date on a course as I had expected he asked to meet me and go diving.....as a pre-Assessment. He could see me in the water and get an idea of where my skill levels were and whether I was ready to do the course. Although initially a little surprised at this approach....as the weeks went past and the date of the Pre-Assessment arrived I began to appreciate that is exactly what I wanted and actually started to look at the day much more positively....although as with any assessment there was a degree of trepidation. I went for a dive before Xmas with one of his better known DMs where we were able to discuss a number of things about my current skills and trim. Both needed some work especially trim and the things that come from having trim sorted. So I have been busy trying to do that....difficult not being able to get in the water much over Xmas but a bit of kit fettling and "visualisation" I decided to go up to Stoney on Saturday to check it out in water. I went with a guy who dives with the LDS and although had only 25 dives to his name made the perfect buddy for the day. I met Howard (The Diving Dude), who told me he was doing some more DBOD work, but really we all know he has become a confirmed puddle diver, as well as a number of other Yorkshire Divers so the whole day had a bit of a social feel Dive 1 of the day was great - all my shutdown, stage handling and OOG drills were fine though I felt a little feet light but not too bad.... Although the temp was only 6-7degC we went over to the Stanegarth then to the bus then out for Hot Chocolate in the snow! Dive 2 was pretty much the same only we spent more time around the Stanegarth and practiced the SMB deployment. Again went well....but the feet were still tending northwards I had met Davey Willo and Jen (she of the catheter fame!!) during the day since Davey was doing me a favour and taking my Salvo to Phill to be upgraded. Davey joined us for the last dive which was less than elegant from me. Feet were far too floaty with the lower amount of gas in the tanks, so too much fin movement and body tension to try to keep level so I couldn't do the shutdowns properly...Thank goodness this happened on the Saturday!! and Thanks for not laughing too much, Davey. Thought about it overnight and decided what I needed to change for Sunday. Met up with the Frank on Sunday to find it was not going to be just me and him...but Frank, Justin (his Divemaster), Alastair (Alistair) & Clare (Gledders), Andy Kerslake (national GUE Instructor)...and lil ole me ....Bl*dy Hll Frank, Have you been selling tickets? I thought!! Although Dive 1 started badly for me because my newly upgraded light failed .... the rest went reasonably though. Shutdowns and S-drills were performed ok....but some polish required in speed and team awareness whilst doing the drills. The feedback at the end of the dive was reasonably positive too...well in a "you need to improve this" and "polish that" and "think about this" and "learn that" kind of way ! But all fair comment. Because of my light failure, we had decided that because I would not be able to use my light, it would be best for me to be first in the line of four. Feedback at the end of the dive suggested that was a wrong decision ....I should have been sandwiched between two other divers who had working lights. It did make me think though, that I had been chosen to lead the navigation because they thought I would be able to find the objective A number of smallish incidents occured during the dive but were dealt with. On the ascent though, all sorts of things were going wrong Poor air management meant different people were going out of air, poor SMB deployment technique meant that the dSMB somehow went up then came staight back down again....then because we were all tired we took it in turns to tow each other back to shore. We (same team) went in for a second dive of skills (shutdowns & S-Drills) and with some input from Andy Kerslake, practiced bringing up unconscious divers and divers who were O2 toxing.....very impressive stuff. I quiet enjoyed that because it was different to the recreational approach and has triggered me to think about these issues in a different way. As Frank explained, one needs to have thought about how one might react to an O2 tox or unconscious diver at depth when both divers have possibly an hour of deco to do. We then did some handling of stages but that did not go so great. I have only ever handled one and this time I needed to handle 2 so more practice needed. Ali 80s filled to be neutral are a delight to handle I found whereas the 7l was a real PITA. I have a 40 & and 80 so will play with them to get this all much slicker. The day then descended into a Social occasion as the DIR Explorers Gig was in full flow. I have subsequently had a de-brief from Frank on the things to do some work on ....again in a "improve this" and "polish that" and "think about this" and "learn that" kind of way ! But all fair comment still.......and also we have sketched out the next steps of the course schedule. I am planning a couple of pool sessions to work on getting trim much more horizontal .... I did not realise how far out of horizontal I was(knees are down a foot ), so that will provide some entertainment....plus give me the chance to practice with the two stages....then meet up with Frank to progress with the next stage (pun intended). I met loads of YDers & DIRX's over the weekend and as always it's great to be able to put faces to the names. Thanks particularly to Justin, Clare & Al for being my buddies .....and, of course, Frank & Andy for an inspiring day. __________________ Opinions and beliefs are correct at the time of posting but are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the author. Last edited by Mal Bridgeman; January 10th, 2006 at 03:06 PM.

January 10th, 2006, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phil O(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 340	Sounds like you had a fruitful weekend. Nice write up __________________ Phil

January 12th, 2006, 08:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	It was an interesting series of dives. The day started when I arrived at Stoney, met Al, and parked the car in the bottom car park without having to use the reserved space. that's what you get when you tell people that Andy Kerslake is coming - space at 8am in Stoney on a Sunday :D We then headed off to Willowmead for breakfast. I don't think Frank was too impressed when we left him in the car park saying 'see you later when we've had a full english fry up' Infact, he swore he would have his revenge on us Back at Stoney we kitted up and met up with Justin and Mal. Dive 1 went ahead without any problems (apart from Mal's aforementioned torch) We agreed a thirty minute bottom time - S drills, valve drills (oops - sorry - wrong order) and we then set off for the Stanegarth with Mal in the lead. Al had a fixable valve failure on the way - no problems dealing with that and then, as Mal said, a few simulated failures on the boat led to my thumbing the dive early but all involved coped with the ascent well (two out of air, one DSMB deployment failure) as described. Whilst Al went off to play scooters with Pete, Dive 2 for me was with John Kendall, Mark, David Martin and Rachael, to put up the snowman. Hopefully some underwater photos of this will emerge eventually I know Mark got some good ones. But it was a laugh. Dive 3 was to be rescue skills with Kerslake and Frank again. Dropped in told to do valve drills and s drills first. I was number two so launched in to my valve drill when requested. Shut off 1st post, breathed it down, clipped it off, switched it back on. Isolated etc., Left post off, breathe it down, switched back to primary. NO AIR! Switch to back up - NO AIR! Hmm... I simply have no idea what is going on. I go OOA to Al and once on his long hose signal WTF? He indicates by use of some choice signals that Frank has been playing around. He fires up my right post and I flow check to assure myself that all is well. So what happened? Essentially I turned off my right post, but whilst I was breathing it down and clipping it off, Frank turned it on again. This means that when I returned to it and turned it 'on' I was actually turning it off again. Neat trick Mr Bruce - teach me to think about what I am doing in future. We then do some toxing diver and unconscious diver lifts. When Al comes towards me for the toxing diver lift I cross myself as when he tried it on Tech 1 I almost drowned Much, much better this time - for both of us and we certainly feel that we have a sound enough basis to permit further practice now. A bit of stage juggling next. Justin and I pass the stages between us quite quickly and wait for Al and Mal to do the same. I'm chilling out (literally) when two eyes appear upside in front of my mask - Kerslake has got bored and whilst lying on top of me - has ducked his head down to give me a fright! :D Funniest thing is that I discuss this with Justin yesterday and he was of the view that Al had passed him the stages - that's what we get for matching drysuits then I'm so cold that I appear to be toxing myself (shivering so much it is visible) so Frank orders me out of the water. But all in all a fun day - and I hope everyone else has as good a time as me __________________ 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; January 12th, 2006 at 08:39 PM.

January 12th, 2006, 08:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,541	Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnKendall) Not if he knows what's good for him they wont! J Ah - yes - those ones John. My silence (and his I'm sure) can be bought :D __________________ 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

January 11th, 2006, 10:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Davey Willo(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 197	Good writeup Mal, twas good to meet you too. I'm glad having the biggest and most critical of audiences on the Sunday didn't phase you too much :D See you again soon mate.

January 12th, 2006, 08:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,100	Quote: (Originally Posted by Gledders) Whilst Al went off to play scooters with Pete, Dive 2 for me was with John Kendall, Mark, David Martin and Rachael, to put up the snowman. Hopefully some underwater phoos of this will emerge eventually I know Mark got some good ones. But it was a laugh. Not if he knows what's good for him they wont! J