Scuba anyone?
09 June 2006, 08:31 PM
#31
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cheers for all of that. Yes I learnt the hard way about grinning underwater - tried smiling for the underwater camera - fortunately Id already done my DSD so got out of that ok - bloody funny photo though 
and no Im not getting it out. No plans to swim in the UK until global warming really kicks in, back to Turkey in October and Egypt in December 
Only problem was that there's no sign for 'oh look what a pretty fish can we stay and watch it for a while?'
Me thinks webby should start a scuba forum
and no Im not getting it out. No plans to swim in the UK until global warming really kicks in, back to Turkey in October and Egypt in December Only problem was that there's no sign for 'oh look what a pretty fish can we stay and watch it for a while?'
Me thinks webby should start a scuba forum
09 June 2006, 09:03 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by SideShowBob
I found that low vis diving in the UK makes you feel far too coccuned and safe.
I did my entire course here, doing the qualifying dives in Wreysbury, and since you could barely see a foot in front of you, you never got the impression of your surroundings.
Straight after I finished the course, went and dived in the Red Sea, and that freaked me out big style, I just couldnt believe how deep we were going (20m), or the enormity of the surroundings!! I dont think diving in low vis helped at all, it just meant when I dived somewhere with good vis, I felt like I was starting from scratch!!
Its a very strange feeling looking up at the bow of a boat 20 meters above you, I know I was amazed that 20m looked that deep!!
Since then ive gone to 33 meters on dives, and you kinda forget about how much water is above you, there's normally something else to concentrate on.
Havent done any UK wreck dives or anything, but have dived in Mozambique and South Africa, even dived with a bunch of raged tooth and hammer head sharks, with dolphins buzzing around, and rays as big as dinner tables, but as mentioned, it gets expensive, so am going to try out Stoney this year.
I did the course over two weekends, followed by the open water dives, so a week is plausable, but dont rush it, you may find aspects you're not happy with, that you have to practise (some people dont like doing the skills at 10 meters), so you might end up taking a bit longer to get certain aspects right.
I did my entire course here, doing the qualifying dives in Wreysbury, and since you could barely see a foot in front of you, you never got the impression of your surroundings.
Straight after I finished the course, went and dived in the Red Sea, and that freaked me out big style, I just couldnt believe how deep we were going (20m), or the enormity of the surroundings!! I dont think diving in low vis helped at all, it just meant when I dived somewhere with good vis, I felt like I was starting from scratch!!
Its a very strange feeling looking up at the bow of a boat 20 meters above you, I know I was amazed that 20m looked that deep!!
Since then ive gone to 33 meters on dives, and you kinda forget about how much water is above you, there's normally something else to concentrate on.
Havent done any UK wreck dives or anything, but have dived in Mozambique and South Africa, even dived with a bunch of raged tooth and hammer head sharks, with dolphins buzzing around, and rays as big as dinner tables, but as mentioned, it gets expensive, so am going to try out Stoney this year.
I did the course over two weekends, followed by the open water dives, so a week is plausable, but dont rush it, you may find aspects you're not happy with, that you have to practise (some people dont like doing the skills at 10 meters), so you might end up taking a bit longer to get certain aspects right.
Now that bit is mind blowing.
If your not careful you crash into the wreck as it comes into view so fast you dont slow down in time
people behind you create a bit of a fuss if you do that cos you kick the silt up for the rest of them.If the current isn't too strong then going down in a freefall skydive type pose feels lush, just keep your eye on the line
Andy
09 June 2006, 10:09 PM
#35
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Nerves are good, it keeps you sharp and aware of your surroundings. Of course only as long as it doesn't affect your mind process / actions.
18m is more than deep enough for a learner.
You soon realise how deep that is when you have to do the free swim to the surface on one breath....
by that I mean not swimming as fast as you can... you have to keep under 18m pr min and breathe out gently all that way
Andy
18m is more than deep enough for a learner.
You soon realise how deep that is when you have to do the free swim to the surface on one breath....
by that I mean not swimming as fast as you can... you have to keep under 18m pr min and breathe out gently all that way
Andy
Last edited by Fuzz; 09 June 2006 at 10:17 PM.
09 June 2006, 10:18 PM
#36
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Dont get hung up on depths Brumdasy. It is unfortunate but it is a bit of a bravado thing when we all talk about 40M + dives.
the reality is (especially abroad) there is practically nothing you cant see at 20M than you can at 40M. I think the best ever single dive i have ever done was on a wreck in Hawaii at 25M, loads of fish, still sunshine above, loads of time to explore.
All the fish life and coral etc is probably worse at 40M depth. obviously if you are into wrecks thats different.
The other thing is unless you are using a gas mix, your time at 40M + is very limited anyway
the reality is (especially abroad) there is practically nothing you cant see at 20M than you can at 40M. I think the best ever single dive i have ever done was on a wreck in Hawaii at 25M, loads of fish, still sunshine above, loads of time to explore.
All the fish life and coral etc is probably worse at 40M depth. obviously if you are into wrecks thats different.
The other thing is unless you are using a gas mix, your time at 40M + is very limited anyway
09 June 2006, 10:25 PM
#37
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Anybody been here?
http://www.nemo33.com/
don't need to take your kit so can fill the car with booze on the way home !!
http://www.nemo33.com/
don't need to take your kit so can fill the car with booze on the way home
!!
09 June 2006, 10:49 PM
#38
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As Mark says, it's not about the depth of the dive but what you are going to see.
Abroad, life (well colourful life anyway) seems to fade out under 20m.
The best diving I've had was on the Great barrier reef at around 15m and you have about an hour and a half no stop diving at that depth...
Andy
Abroad, life (well colourful life anyway) seems to fade out under 20m.
The best diving I've had was on the Great barrier reef at around 15m and you have about an hour and a half no stop diving at that depth...
Andy
10 June 2006, 03:01 PM
#39
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Since it was the basic course we only went to 12m, but thats plenty deep enough to see whats on offer down there, we just followed the coral along the coastline for 40mins or so... plenty for a learner imo.
10 June 2006, 07:54 PM
#40
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Andy,
And not just whilst you're inexperienced !
The one thing someone said to me, that always stuck in my mind, "is just remember, that you're always one breath away from drowning".
Some of my friends are dive instructors, and I'm really getting the urge to get wet again
It's a bit frustrating though, as most of them are trimix/trimix rebreather now, and a bit beyond my IANTD advanced nitrox !
I REALLY want to go to Truk, and Cocos............ just need to sell a few more fuel pumps
Mark.
be aware of how dangerous it can be if it goes wrong whilst you're in-experienced.....
The one thing someone said to me, that always stuck in my mind, "is just remember, that you're always one breath away from drowning".
Some of my friends are dive instructors, and I'm really getting the urge to get wet again
It's a bit frustrating though, as most of them are trimix/trimix rebreather now, and a bit beyond my IANTD advanced nitrox !
I REALLY want to go to Truk, and Cocos............ just need to sell a few more fuel pumps
Mark.
10 June 2006, 08:12 PM
#41
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Obviously it is still dangerous when you are experienced.
What I meant though was that you are more likely to panick / do the wrong thing whilst inexperienced and hence put yourself in danger.
Same with my group Mark, I introduced my buddy to the group I dived with and he buggered of and married one of them. They then got into YBOD* diving and I felt out of place with that lot whilst still in my twinset.
Andy
*YBOD= Yellow Box Of Death
What I meant though was that you are more likely to panick / do the wrong thing whilst inexperienced and hence put yourself in danger.
Same with my group Mark, I introduced my buddy to the group I dived with and he buggered of and married one of them. They then got into YBOD* diving and I felt out of place with that lot whilst still in my twinset.
Andy
*YBOD= Yellow Box Of Death
10 June 2006, 10:18 PM
#42
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Andy,
I should have put a smiley !
My general view on diving survival.............. Especially once you start diving deeper, and getting into tech diving.
1) No matter how experienced a diver is, when the sh*t hits the fan, there's no guarantee how a person, including ourselves, will react in that situation, until it's happened, ................PERIOD.
2) Dive with a buddy, and look out for them, but learn to be 100% independent of them if things go pear shaped. I don't mean ditch them, just don't rely on them if you get into trouble
The comments about people who learn, and dive in the UK, being more "prepared" when things go wrong, is so true.
Yes UK waters are cold, and vis can be, ummm.........limited, but it can also great, and you just kit up accordingly.
There is some FANTASTIC diving over here, the Farne Islands, and seals, still rates as some of the best I've done, and we must have some of the best wreck diving in the world.
Damn, this thread is going to cost me money !
Mark.
Mark.
I should have put a smiley !
My general view on diving survival.............. Especially once you start diving deeper, and getting into tech diving.
1) No matter how experienced a diver is, when the sh*t hits the fan, there's no guarantee how a person, including ourselves, will react in that situation, until it's happened, ................PERIOD.
2) Dive with a buddy, and look out for them, but learn to be 100% independent of them if things go pear shaped. I don't mean ditch them, just don't rely on them if you get into trouble
The comments about people who learn, and dive in the UK, being more "prepared" when things go wrong, is so true.
Yes UK waters are cold, and vis can be, ummm.........limited
, but it can also great, and you just kit up accordingly.There is some FANTASTIC diving over here, the Farne Islands, and seals, still rates as some of the best I've done, and we must have some of the best wreck diving in the world.
Damn, this thread is going to cost me money !
Mark.
Mark.
10 June 2006, 10:26 PM
#43
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Dam you for saying that... My local club (Dive90) had a trip to the Farne Islands but I couldn't make it as I'd spent all my money on the F ing Subaru. 
Time to slow down / stop the modding lark and get back to diving I think.
Everything fun costs money nowadays, if it doesn't go on the car, I'll only fritter it away on something else.
Andy
Time to slow down / stop the modding lark and get back to diving I think.
Everything fun costs money nowadays, if it doesn't go on the car, I'll only fritter it away on something else.
Andy
11 June 2006, 09:22 AM
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Just got back from the Seychelles. Did a spot of diving and somthing strange happened... I suddenly spun out and went dizzy as hell for about 20 secs @ 25m - it felt as if something had grabbed my by the flippers and started spinning me around! Didn't know what was going on. Must have had some sort of inner ear problem, but it was pretty scary.
12 June 2006, 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by TopBanana
Just got back from the Seychelles. Did a spot of diving and somthing strange happened... I suddenly spun out and went dizzy as hell for about 20 secs @ 25m - it felt as if something had grabbed my by the flippers and started spinning me around! Didn't know what was going on. Must have had some sort of inner ear problem, but it was pretty scary.
i thought i was narked at first, but having experienced nitrogen narcosis since its definetly not that. You are totally helpless and its a horrible feeling and i thought i was going toblack out TBH.
even spoke to a diving doctor about it, and it was put down to one of those things - a little bit tense and i was not very experienced at first, or maybe i had a slight ear infection as i did have problems clearing on the descent.
make sure whoever your buddy is that you dive with in the future knows this has happened. Then they will be on the look out for the signs and be better prepared to give you an assisted lift if required.
12 June 2006, 11:12 AM
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Not sure if I posted this on SN before. But here's a (loooong) dive story that may be of interest to some of you.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/s...580347,00.html
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/s...580347,00.html
12 June 2006, 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Brendan Hughes
Not sure if I posted this on SN before. But here's a (loooong) dive story that may be of interest to some of you.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/s...580347,00.html
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/s...580347,00.html
Thanks for posting.
chop
12 June 2006, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Brendan Hughes
12 June 2006, 01:00 PM
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Echo all the above comments. Moving, Brave, Thought provoking.....
And stupid. I can see the attraction in cave diving. I dont get extreme depth diving at all though.
And an extreme depth cave dive, knowing that the odds are stacked against you surviving.........
Im all for extreme sports, quite fancy a go base jumping myself but that is just TOO extreme.
And stupid. I can see the attraction in cave diving. I dont get extreme depth diving at all though.
And an extreme depth cave dive, knowing that the odds are stacked against you surviving.........
Im all for extreme sports, quite fancy a go base jumping myself but that is just TOO extreme.
12 June 2006, 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Brendan Hughes
Not sure if I posted this on SN before. But here's a (loooong) dive story that may be of interest to some of you.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/s...580347,00.html
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/s...580347,00.html
Ns04
12 June 2006, 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by p1mark
Echo all the above comments. Moving, Brave, Thought provoking.....
And stupid. I can see the attraction in cave diving. I dont get extreme depth diving at all though.
And an extreme depth cave dive, knowing that the odds are stacked against you surviving.........
Im all for extreme sports, quite fancy a go base jumping myself but that is just TOO extreme.
And stupid. I can see the attraction in cave diving. I dont get extreme depth diving at all though.
And an extreme depth cave dive, knowing that the odds are stacked against you surviving.........
Im all for extreme sports, quite fancy a go base jumping myself but that is just TOO extreme.
what a waste to get the body of someone that had been all but buried allready....its almost like he was disturbing a grave...and the fact he left his head just makes me wonder...why bother?
12 June 2006, 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by The Snug Rhino
got to agree...i read about dave shaw ages ago and it just seem like those free climbers that go running up cliffs with no ropes......only more wet and without the oakleys - but both pretty daft.
what a waste to get the body of someone that had been all but buried allready....its almost like he was disturbing a grave...and the fact he left his head just makes me wonder...why bother?
what a waste to get the body of someone that had been all but buried allready....its almost like he was disturbing a grave...and the fact he left his head just makes me wonder...why bother?
I don't know how it is for Divers, but most of the people I've known who've spent much time around/worked in the sea are of the opinion that retrieving a body is kind of like disturbing a grave. Apart from the concerns about any retrieval attempt putting others in danger, I get the impression that they view the sea as sacred and feel that if it claims someone, you let it have them. Easy to appreciate why the friends/relatives wouldn't see it that way though.
Ns04
12 June 2006, 03:58 PM
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interesting that the original divers folks wanted his body back and yet dave shaws wife wishes they left him in the cave.
i can see both opinions but as the first diver had been there for years i think its best left alone....as once shown by the fact he started to fall apart when moved!
i can see both opinions but as the first diver had been there for years i think its best left alone....as once shown by the fact he started to fall apart when moved!
12 June 2006, 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by The Snug Rhino
interesting that the original divers folks wanted his body back and yet dave shaws wife wishes they left him in the cave.
i can see both opinions but as the first diver had been there for years i think its best left alone....as once shown by the fact he started to fall apart when moved!
i can see both opinions but as the first diver had been there for years i think its best left alone....as once shown by the fact he started to fall apart when moved!
I've always found it incredibly moving.
Feeling you shake
Feel your heart break
Thinking if only, if only, if only, if only
And the salt water runs
Through your veins and your bones
Telling you no not this way, not this way, not this way
And you would give anything
Give up everything
Offer your life blood away
For yesterday
No one leaves you
When you live in their heart and mind
And no one dies
They just move to the other side
When we're gone
Watch the world simply carry on
We live on laughing and in no pain
We'll stay and be happy
With those who have loved us today
Finding the answer
It's a human obsession
But you might as well talk to the stones and the trees and the sea
'Cause nobody knows
And so few can see
There's only beauty and caring and truth beyond darkness
No one leaves you
When you live in their heart and mind
And no one dies
They just move to the other side
When we're gone
Watch the world simply carry on
We live on laughing and in no pain
We'll stay and be happy
With those who have loved us today
And we won't understand your grief
Because time is illusion
As this watery world spins around
This timeless sun
Will dry your eyes
And calm your mind
No one leaves you
When you live in their heart and mind
And no one dies
They just move to the other side
When we're gone
Watch the world simply carry on
It's okay, we will stay and be happy
Stay and be happy
With those who have loved us today
12 June 2006, 08:45 PM
#60
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As Dave Shaw said "it's for the adventure", and it will never make any sense to some people.
A friend is a trimix rebreather instructor, and just loves diving deep wrecks, and has worked with divers such as Kevin Gurr.
Due to family, and work commitments he can't dive as often as he would need to, to partisipate in the deep wreck diving, and because what "most" of us would call "normal", or even "adventurous" just doesn't do it for him, he's decided to totally give up !!
Have to see if he can stay away !
Some people love to push their own limits, some to extremes, some will die in the process, but I wonder where we'd be without these people !!!
Mark.
A friend is a trimix rebreather instructor, and just loves diving deep wrecks, and has worked with divers such as Kevin Gurr.
Due to family, and work commitments he can't dive as often as he would need to, to partisipate in the deep wreck diving, and because what "most" of us would call "normal", or even "adventurous" just doesn't do it for him, he's decided to totally give up !!
Have to see if he can stay away !
Some people love to push their own limits, some to extremes, some will die in the process, but I wonder where we'd be without these people !!!
Mark.