Hi from Essex - getting back into DIR after layoff

narcosis72 · March 18th, 2006, 12:41 AM

Hi all,

Thought I'd say hello and see if any of the old DIR-UK guys are on here? Seen a couple of familiar names on here so far...

Started diving DIR in about 97, did early nitrox courses with Gas Diving UK (thanks Andy and co..) then did Cave 1 with John Grogan in 99 (Ted Cole and JJ instructing). Did my trimix a bit after that.

Had a diving layoff from 2001 onwards due to family matters (and getting married and having kids) but now looking to get back in the water this year, but not doing quite so deep as before. More fun diving. Got a load of mates who are also DIR who want to get back into diving for same reasons so do some stuff with them.

Also looking to see if there are any DIR divers in Essex (I'm based in Colchester) - joined local club last year but none there, and would prefer to meetup with people of same mindset. Know there are a few in Suffolk as well.

Regards,

Iain

*Clare Gledhill* · March 18th, 2006, 11:58 AM

Hi Iain - welcome to the board

Mark Emery is in Stanstead, and there are a few others dotted around Essex and Suffolk. There are loads who are active and would love to meet up - so just shout!

***ericfine50*** · March 18th, 2006, 01:08 PM

Welcome!!

*Brian Allen* · March 18th, 2006, 02:17 PM

My old buddy Little Pete might be near you he's in Norwich these days, tho not too sure as my geography anywhere east of the somerset is a bit off.

Welcome to the board.

Brian

Red Sea Shadow · March 18th, 2006, 03:23 PM

Welcome to the board Iain.

Mal Bridgeman · March 18th, 2006, 05:05 PM

Hi Iain

I am just up the road in Suffolk....welcome

Mal

narcosis72 · March 18th, 2006, 11:41 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome - Mal, where can I get nitrox/trimix locally? Do Diveline in Ipswich do it as Shark Scuba in Colchester don't (also for tank testing Shark Scuba were expensive - when I have 9 to do want the best price..! lol).

Randy956 · March 19th, 2006, 04:32 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by narcosis72)

Hi all,

Thought I'd say hello and see if any of the old DIR-UK guys are on here? Seen a couple of familiar names on here so far...

Started diving DIR in about 97, did early nitrox courses with Gas Diving UK (thanks Andy and co..) then did Cave 1 with John Grogan in 99 (Ted Cole and JJ instructing). Did my trimix a bit after that.

Had a diving layoff from 2001 onwards due to family matters (and getting married and having kids) but now looking to get back in the water this year, but not doing quite so deep as before. More fun diving. Got a load of mates who are also DIR who want to get back into diving for same reasons so do some stuff with them.

Also looking to see if there are any DIR divers in Essex (I'm based in Colchester) - joined local club last year but none there, and would prefer to meetup with people of same mindset. Know there are a few in Suffolk as well.

Regards,

Iain Swaine

Welcome to the board!

Mal Bridgeman · March 19th, 2006, 08:30 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by narcosis72)

Thanks for the warm welcome - Mal, where can I get nitrox/trimix locally? Do Diveline in Ipswich do it as Shark Scuba in Colchester don't (also for tank testing Shark Scuba were expensive - when I have 9 to do want the best price..! lol).

I have to be complementary about Shark Scuba, cos I do my Instructing with them

....but I get my Nitrox from Diveline in Ipswich. Diveline is also an IDEST test centre so can test tanks as well...I don't know how much it costs though. If you have 9 tanks to test, ask Keith at Shark Scuba if he would do you a bulk deal...I am not sure if it would help cos I know they have to send them away to be tested.

As regards trimix, the closest place I have found is Lakeside, which for me is a 120 mile round trip

I keep hassling Wayne at Diveline and Keith at Sahrk Scuba....but they have not introduced it yet!!) 2dive4 in Stansted advertise it on their website, but don't actually have it!!

If you decide to buy a Haskel pump and home blend...then let me know cos I am sure there will be some local demand

Best Regards
Mal

narcosis72 · March 19th, 2006, 11:29 AM

Mal - I thought I recognised the name - I know someone who has trained with them who talked about you in a complementary manner (Paul the airport taxi driver). I am debating getting a couple of J's of Oxygen and maybe one of helium but am not sure how much diving I'm going to be doing. Just am getting to the point where it is a physical need to do some diving again... lol! Shark seems to have a decent enough range of stuff from what I've seen, just as you say they don't do any cylinder testing or reg servicing themselves (know where I can get any apeks service kits from...?!).

I'll have to try and meetup with you at some point for a chat (will be back in the UK next weekend).

Thanks.

March 18th, 2006, 12:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
narcosis72(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex Posts: 3	Hi from Essex - getting back into DIR after layoff Hi all, Thought I'd say hello and see if any of the old DIR-UK guys are on here? Seen a couple of familiar names on here so far... Started diving DIR in about 97, did early nitrox courses with Gas Diving UK (thanks Andy and co..) then did Cave 1 with John Grogan in 99 (Ted Cole and JJ instructing). Did my trimix a bit after that. Had a diving layoff from 2001 onwards due to family matters (and getting married and having kids) but now looking to get back in the water this year, but not doing quite so deep as before. More fun diving. Got a load of mates who are also DIR who want to get back into diving for same reasons so do some stuff with them. Also looking to see if there are any DIR divers in Essex (I'm based in Colchester) - joined local club last year but none there, and would prefer to meetup with people of same mindset. Know there are a few in Suffolk as well. Regards, Iain Last edited by narcosis72; November 10th, 2007 at 04:31 PM. Reason: change

March 18th, 2006, 11:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Pacman Champion! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,547	Hi Iain - welcome to the board Mark Emery is in Stanstead, and there are a few others dotted around Essex and Suffolk. There are loads who are active and would love to meet up - so just shout! __________________ 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

March 18th, 2006, 02:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Brian Allen(Offline) GUE Instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London & Plymouth Posts: 594	My old buddy Little Pete might be near you he's in Norwich these days, tho not too sure as my geography anywhere east of the somerset is a bit off. Welcome to the board. Brian __________________ ...dive planning again ... GUE fundamentals and Halcyon Equipment Online www.ocean-explorers.co.uk

March 18th, 2006, 05:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mal Bridgeman (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 662	Hi Iain I am just up the road in Suffolk....welcome Mal __________________ 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.

March 19th, 2006, 04:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
Randy956(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 89	Welcome Quote: (Originally Posted by narcosis72) Hi all, Thought I'd say hello and see if any of the old DIR-UK guys are on here? Seen a couple of familiar names on here so far... Started diving DIR in about 97, did early nitrox courses with Gas Diving UK (thanks Andy and co..) then did Cave 1 with John Grogan in 99 (Ted Cole and JJ instructing). Did my trimix a bit after that. Had a diving layoff from 2001 onwards due to family matters (and getting married and having kids) but now looking to get back in the water this year, but not doing quite so deep as before. More fun diving. Got a load of mates who are also DIR who want to get back into diving for same reasons so do some stuff with them. Also looking to see if there are any DIR divers in Essex (I'm based in Colchester) - joined local club last year but none there, and would prefer to meetup with people of same mindset. Know there are a few in Suffolk as well. Regards, Iain Swaine Welcome to the board!

March 18th, 2006, 01:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
*ericfine50*(Offline) Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: MA Posts: 622	Welcome!!

March 18th, 2006, 03:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Red Sea Shadow(Offline) New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Egypt Posts: 51	Welcome to the board Iain.

March 18th, 2006, 11:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
narcosis72(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex Posts: 3	Thanks for the warm welcome - Mal, where can I get nitrox/trimix locally? Do Diveline in Ipswich do it as Shark Scuba in Colchester don't (also for tank testing Shark Scuba were expensive - when I have 9 to do want the best price..! lol).

March 19th, 2006, 08:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
Mal Bridgeman (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 662	Quote: (Originally Posted by narcosis72) Thanks for the warm welcome - Mal, where can I get nitrox/trimix locally? Do Diveline in Ipswich do it as Shark Scuba in Colchester don't (also for tank testing Shark Scuba were expensive - when I have 9 to do want the best price..! lol). I have to be complementary about Shark Scuba, cos I do my Instructing with them ....but I get my Nitrox from Diveline in Ipswich. Diveline is also an IDEST test centre so can test tanks as well...I don't know how much it costs though. If you have 9 tanks to test, ask Keith at Shark Scuba if he would do you a bulk deal...I am not sure if it would help cos I know they have to send them away to be tested. As regards trimix, the closest place I have found is Lakeside, which for me is a 120 mile round trip I keep hassling Wayne at Diveline and Keith at Sahrk Scuba....but they have not introduced it yet!!) 2dive4 in Stansted advertise it on their website, but don't actually have it!! If you decide to buy a Haskel pump and home blend...then let me know cos I am sure there will be some local demand Best Regards Mal __________________ 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.

March 19th, 2006, 11:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
narcosis72(Offline) New Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Essex Posts: 3	Mal - I thought I recognised the name - I know someone who has trained with them who talked about you in a complementary manner (Paul the airport taxi driver). I am debating getting a couple of J's of Oxygen and maybe one of helium but am not sure how much diving I'm going to be doing. Just am getting to the point where it is a physical need to do some diving again... lol! Shark seems to have a decent enough range of stuff from what I've seen, just as you say they don't do any cylinder testing or reg servicing themselves (know where I can get any apeks service kits from...?!). I'll have to try and meetup with you at some point for a chat (will be back in the UK next weekend). Thanks.