So if you'd like to receive occasional e-mails from me about courses or trips, please take a few seconds to fill out and submit the form below.
Thanks for your continued support,
Rick Kruzel
Friday, December 10, 2010
New E-mail Service
My e-mail address book has gotten out of control. There are so many people in it and every time I want to send an e-mail about a particular course or trip I'm offering, I agonize over whom I should send it to and who I should leave out. I don't like sending messages to everyone in the book every time, because that's just plain annoying.
So if you'd like to receive occasional e-mails from me about courses or trips, please take a few seconds to fill out and submit the form below.
Thanks for your continued support,
Rick Kruzel
So if you'd like to receive occasional e-mails from me about courses or trips, please take a few seconds to fill out and submit the form below.
Thanks for your continued support,
Rick Kruzel
Friday, November 19, 2010
10 Dive-Related Things to do Over Winter
- Go Diving! A dive vacation to an exotic destination is always nice, but if that's not in the cards, you can dive many inland lakes and quarries almost year round. Many dive stores also offer the opportunity to pool dive over the winter to help keep your skills sharp.
- Take a Course There are many dive-related classes you can take over winter that don't require open water dives. Nitrox Diver, Gas Blender, CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen Provider are just a few.
- Service Your Dive Gear Many divers pack their equipment off to a corner at the end of the season. When spring comes, they join the rush to get their regulators and other equipment serviced. Avoid the crowd and take those tanks and regulators in now. You'll avoid the spring rush, potential first-of-the-year price increases and you'll be ready to hit the water next spring.
- Start Planning for Next Season If there's a class or trip you want to participate in next year, sign up now. Popular charter boats and instructors book up quickly, so don't wait until next summer to start planning.
- Turn a Friend On On to diving that is. If you have a friend who has expressed interest in diving, take the time to accompany them to your LDS, introduce them to the staff and help them enroll in a "try scuba experience."
- Go to a Dive Show The next best thing to diving is hanging around with other divers and talking about diving. There are dive shows all over the world. You can go to the big ones like Beneath the Sea, Our World Underwater or Scuba Show, but there are tons of regional dive shows closer to home too.
- Get Fit Physical fitness not only benefits you as a diver, but also in general, as a human being. Make it a goal to start next dive season in better physical condition than last year.
- Edit Video/Sort Photos If you shoot video or stills, you probably have a ton of unedited work laying around from the dive season. Now's the time to edit that video or put those photos together into slide shows. Otherwise, all that work will end up in a box in the closet when the season begins in spring.
- Read Books/Watch Videos Pick up some books or videos about diving, your favorite dive destination, your favorite shipwreck, or whatever.
- And finally number 10 Check in on your favorite blog and diving websites (www.GreatLakesTechDiving.com) from time to time. I'll be adding trips and classes over the winter. Contact me if there's anything specific you'd like me to offer in 2011.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Importance of Choosing an Instructor
This may seem an odd post, coming at the end of the season when most people are hanging up their fins for the winter rather than signing up for a scuba course, but some recent conversations have brought this topic back to mind so I thought I'd share some thoughts. While framed in the context of technical diver training, these notions, I think, apply equally to recreational training.
This piece is based on advice passed on through the technical diving community for decades.
The first thing you need to do is to figure out what you want to get out of your course; no matter what level of training you desire. Different instructors have different philosophies and may teach the same course in completely different manners. All courses are not equal (even if both instructors teach through the same agency). It's critical for you to choose an instructor who is offering the course that meshes with your wants/needs.
But how do you find the "right" instructor? You have to be an active, rather than passive consumer. You have to do your homework and actively search out training options. Talk to several instructors about the course you're interested in taking and treat these conversations as job interviews. You are interviewing this instructor to see if you want to hire him/her to train you.
This piece is based on advice passed on through the technical diving community for decades.
The first thing you need to do is to figure out what you want to get out of your course; no matter what level of training you desire. Different instructors have different philosophies and may teach the same course in completely different manners. All courses are not equal (even if both instructors teach through the same agency). It's critical for you to choose an instructor who is offering the course that meshes with your wants/needs.
But how do you find the "right" instructor? You have to be an active, rather than passive consumer. You have to do your homework and actively search out training options. Talk to several instructors about the course you're interested in taking and treat these conversations as job interviews. You are interviewing this instructor to see if you want to hire him/her to train you.
- Ask your prospective instructor about his/her experience in the particular area that the course covers. If you're interested in a wreck diving in the Great Lakes, ask the instructor about his/her experience in Great Lakes wreck diving. If he/she isn't actively engaged in the type of diving you want to do, keep looking.
- Ask about the balance between teaching and personal diving. If the instructor's dive log is crammed with 20' training dives in the local quarry, but lacking in quality, challenging and fulfilling personal dives, again, keep looking (unless you want to learn how to do 20' dives in a quarry).
- Ask about details of the course. What topics are covered, how many dives are conducted, where are the dives conducted, etc. Again, not all courses are equal. One instructor may offer a course that covers the basics, while another may go into greater detail. One may conduct dives only at the quarry, while another may add open ocean of Great Lakes dives.
- See if there's a rapport between you and the instructor. It's no surprise that not everyone gets along. There may be lots of competent instructors, but that won't give you much solace if you take a class from a competent instructor that you really, really don't get along with. You don't have to be BFF's, but you need some sort of amicable relationship, especially at the more complex levels of diver training.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
New Helitrox Course!
I'm happy to announce an exciting new course option: Helitrox. Helitrox is a breathing gas with up to 20% helium. Since helium is virtually non-narcotic under pressure, adding it to our gas allows us to manage or nitrogen narcosis exposure.
I'm offering Helitrox certification as part of the Adv. Nitrox/Decompression Procedures program. I think Helitrox adds a vital, missing piece of the Adv. Nitrox/Deco Procedures course when taught in the Great Lakes. Adv. Nitrox/Deco Procedures trains you to conduct dives requiring staged decompression to a maximum depth of 150' and use oxygen-rich mixtures as decompression gasses. But we were limited to using air or nitrox as bottom gas. However, using air in the Great Lakes at 150' is not always a good choice. The cold water and limited visibility can exacerbate nitrogen narcosis even as "shallow" as 150'. With the addition of the Helitrox certification, we can add up to 20% helium to our bottom gas which gives us the equivalent narcotic dose as breathing air at 100'.
I am forming an Adv. Nitrox/Deco Procedures/Helitrox course for September. Contact me (rick@greatlakestechdiving.com) quickly if you're interested or have questions.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Bartender, Another Martini!
Remember when Nitrogen Narcosis was called Martini's Law? The theory goes that the narcotic effect of nitrogen is similar to consuming one martini for every 33 ft of depth. So if you dive to 33 ft., you feel as if you'd had one martini, 66 ft would be equivalent to two martinis, 99 ft, three martinis and so on. It sounds silly now, but it sounded reasonable when Lloyd Bridges said it on the television show Seahunt.
Our knowledge of Nitrogen Narcosis and its effect has grown a little since "Martini's Law," and one of the most profound advances was the realization that if we added helium to our breathing mix, we could limit the amount of nitrogen and hence manage our narcosis level. Mixed gas diving has been around for a long time in commercial applications, but it's only gotten popular in recreational/technical diving in the last 10 years or so. There are myriad diving courses teaching the use of helium mixes in various forms (trimix, triox, heliox, heliair, helitrox, ad nauseum) for use at various depths.
I would like to pose a question: at what depth here in the Great Lakes do you need to start adding helium to the mix? Traditionally, the entry level technical diving courses have taught the use of air or nitrox to a depth of about 150'. Students not comfortable diving air to that depth either have to limit their depth, or take a more advanced course like Trimix Diver to be able to utilize helium-based mixes. Do you think there is value in adding a module to the entry level courses, like Adv. Nitrox/Deco, that would cover using limited helium-based mixes. Many organizations offer such courses, I'm just wondering how many people see the value in making "trimix lite" available at the Adv. Nitrox/Deco level, or do you feel breathing air to 150' is fine and we should leave the helium alone until divers take the full Trimix Diver course?
Our knowledge of Nitrogen Narcosis and its effect has grown a little since "Martini's Law," and one of the most profound advances was the realization that if we added helium to our breathing mix, we could limit the amount of nitrogen and hence manage our narcosis level. Mixed gas diving has been around for a long time in commercial applications, but it's only gotten popular in recreational/technical diving in the last 10 years or so. There are myriad diving courses teaching the use of helium mixes in various forms (trimix, triox, heliox, heliair, helitrox, ad nauseum) for use at various depths.
I would like to pose a question: at what depth here in the Great Lakes do you need to start adding helium to the mix? Traditionally, the entry level technical diving courses have taught the use of air or nitrox to a depth of about 150'. Students not comfortable diving air to that depth either have to limit their depth, or take a more advanced course like Trimix Diver to be able to utilize helium-based mixes. Do you think there is value in adding a module to the entry level courses, like Adv. Nitrox/Deco, that would cover using limited helium-based mixes. Many organizations offer such courses, I'm just wondering how many people see the value in making "trimix lite" available at the Adv. Nitrox/Deco level, or do you feel breathing air to 150' is fine and we should leave the helium alone until divers take the full Trimix Diver course?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Presque Isle 2010
Wow. I just got back from 4 days of diving at Presque Isle, MI and it seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye. The 2010 dive season continues to be one of the best in recent memory. We've had excellent weather all summer with no dives canceled due to bad weather.
Presque Isle is a small community situated between Alpena and Rogers City, MI, on the shores of Lake Huron. Our group consisted of five divers (Mike, Marshall, Renee, Eric and yours truly), my wife and daughter. Once again this year we chartered with Greg Such (www.shipwreckadventures.com). Greg's an easygoing guy who works hard to make sure you get quality dives every day. The weather and sea conditions were pretty consistent all 4 days: partly cloudy, mid to upper 70's (F) with no wind. Waves were 2 feet or less with most of the days in the "or less" category. Water temperature was the usual 40-ish degrees on the bottom and 65 degrees at the surface.
Our first dive was on the S.S. Florida. She's a big wooden steamer, nearly intact. The surface water was crystal clear, but as we descended, the water got cloudier and greener. Just as I was resigning myself to a dive in mediocre visibility, the water magically cleared and the entire wreck came into view some 70' below me. We found the same visibility pattern on the rest of the wrecks as well; clear at the surface, clear at the bottom, and a cloudy layer from about 50' to 130'. The visibility at the wreck was outstanding. If I put a number to it, you probably wouldn't believe me, but it was greater than 50'. The Florida is a lot of fun to dive and so big you can barely cover her in one dive. We saw the forward capstan cover on which you can still read the engraved name even though time is finally catching up and has deteriorated this great artifact. You can also dip down into the holds and view a time capsule of bygone days: barrels of flour and other bulk goods, rusted together cans of something, stacks of pots, pans, coffee pots and all manner of other goods. The rear of the wreck is broken, allowing easy access to the engine, where you can still see the gauge panel. Overall, it was an amazing first dive.
The second day we dove the Cornelia B. Windiate, a beautifully intact schooner sitting upright on the bottom in about 175'. The Windiate is not your run of the mill schooner; she seems to have been built with the graceful lines of a pleasure yacht than a working cargo ship. Outstanding features of this wreck are the forward mast (still standing), the wheel and the yawl boat. Another unique feature of the wreck is its overall condition. She seems to have been placed on the lake bottom. There is no obvious damage to her. The aft cabin and cargo hatches are still in place. These are usually the first things to get blown off by escaping air as the ship sinks. These clues tell us that she sank very slowly.
Our next dive was on the Typo, a new wreck for us. The Typo is, can anyone guess? ...... anyone?.....anyone?......Bueller?...... a wooden schooner. Do you see a pattern developing? Many of the wrecks around Presque Isle date back to the golden age of Great Lakes shipping, when thousands of vessels plied the waters of the lakes. I think the most impressive part of the Typo has to be her bow, which is perfectly intact and undamaged from sinking. To swim beyond the tip of her bowspirit and look back at the ship is awe-inspiring. Looking down the bowspirit, you see chains hanging, the anchors perched on the bow, the graceful curve of the hull. I'm not sure why we never made a point of getting to the Typo before, but we will certainly dive her again when we return.
The weather deity granted us almost flat calm seas the first three days of our trip. When we arrived at the marina on our fourth and final day, the flag was flopping around in a light breeze. Certainly not bad enough to cancel the dive, but we had gotten spoiled the first few days. The lake was giving us two foot swells to deal with, not bad, but enough to be annoying. We had saved the Kyle Spangler for our last dive. The Spangler is the closest wreck to shore, so it's a quick trip out and back allowing us to get on the road home by lunch time. Because she's a little closer to shore, she's also less affected by wind than sites further out. I'm doing the Spangler a disservice by painting her as the "consolation prize," a wreck you dive when nothing else is possible. She may well be the best wreck we dove. You may be expecting me to say that she's a nearly intact, wooden schooner. But no, something new and different here! She's a wooden brig! Most sailing ships on the Great Lakes were in fact three masted schooners. Less common were two masted brigs. Presque Isle actually has wrecks of two brigs: the Spangler and the Audubon. The Spangler sits with a slight starboard list on the bottom of Lake Huron in about 170' of water. Both masts are still standing, the wheel stands ready for the next helmsman to take over. The name board is still legible on her port side, kept clear of zebra mussels by visiting divers. The Spangler was an excellent last dive of the trip and I remember ascending the mooring line looking down at her, watching her fade into the haze as I ascended.
And so, another successful trip goes into the logbook. Four days, four dives. You can't hope for more than that.
Presque Isle is a small community situated between Alpena and Rogers City, MI, on the shores of Lake Huron. Our group consisted of five divers (Mike, Marshall, Renee, Eric and yours truly), my wife and daughter. Once again this year we chartered with Greg Such (www.shipwreckadventures.com). Greg's an easygoing guy who works hard to make sure you get quality dives every day. The weather and sea conditions were pretty consistent all 4 days: partly cloudy, mid to upper 70's (F) with no wind. Waves were 2 feet or less with most of the days in the "or less" category. Water temperature was the usual 40-ish degrees on the bottom and 65 degrees at the surface.
Our first dive was on the S.S. Florida. She's a big wooden steamer, nearly intact. The surface water was crystal clear, but as we descended, the water got cloudier and greener. Just as I was resigning myself to a dive in mediocre visibility, the water magically cleared and the entire wreck came into view some 70' below me. We found the same visibility pattern on the rest of the wrecks as well; clear at the surface, clear at the bottom, and a cloudy layer from about 50' to 130'. The visibility at the wreck was outstanding. If I put a number to it, you probably wouldn't believe me, but it was greater than 50'. The Florida is a lot of fun to dive and so big you can barely cover her in one dive. We saw the forward capstan cover on which you can still read the engraved name even though time is finally catching up and has deteriorated this great artifact. You can also dip down into the holds and view a time capsule of bygone days: barrels of flour and other bulk goods, rusted together cans of something, stacks of pots, pans, coffee pots and all manner of other goods. The rear of the wreck is broken, allowing easy access to the engine, where you can still see the gauge panel. Overall, it was an amazing first dive.
The second day we dove the Cornelia B. Windiate, a beautifully intact schooner sitting upright on the bottom in about 175'. The Windiate is not your run of the mill schooner; she seems to have been built with the graceful lines of a pleasure yacht than a working cargo ship. Outstanding features of this wreck are the forward mast (still standing), the wheel and the yawl boat. Another unique feature of the wreck is its overall condition. She seems to have been placed on the lake bottom. There is no obvious damage to her. The aft cabin and cargo hatches are still in place. These are usually the first things to get blown off by escaping air as the ship sinks. These clues tell us that she sank very slowly.
Our next dive was on the Typo, a new wreck for us. The Typo is, can anyone guess? ...... anyone?.....anyone?......Bueller?...... a wooden schooner. Do you see a pattern developing? Many of the wrecks around Presque Isle date back to the golden age of Great Lakes shipping, when thousands of vessels plied the waters of the lakes. I think the most impressive part of the Typo has to be her bow, which is perfectly intact and undamaged from sinking. To swim beyond the tip of her bowspirit and look back at the ship is awe-inspiring. Looking down the bowspirit, you see chains hanging, the anchors perched on the bow, the graceful curve of the hull. I'm not sure why we never made a point of getting to the Typo before, but we will certainly dive her again when we return.
The weather deity granted us almost flat calm seas the first three days of our trip. When we arrived at the marina on our fourth and final day, the flag was flopping around in a light breeze. Certainly not bad enough to cancel the dive, but we had gotten spoiled the first few days. The lake was giving us two foot swells to deal with, not bad, but enough to be annoying. We had saved the Kyle Spangler for our last dive. The Spangler is the closest wreck to shore, so it's a quick trip out and back allowing us to get on the road home by lunch time. Because she's a little closer to shore, she's also less affected by wind than sites further out. I'm doing the Spangler a disservice by painting her as the "consolation prize," a wreck you dive when nothing else is possible. She may well be the best wreck we dove. You may be expecting me to say that she's a nearly intact, wooden schooner. But no, something new and different here! She's a wooden brig! Most sailing ships on the Great Lakes were in fact three masted schooners. Less common were two masted brigs. Presque Isle actually has wrecks of two brigs: the Spangler and the Audubon. The Spangler sits with a slight starboard list on the bottom of Lake Huron in about 170' of water. Both masts are still standing, the wheel stands ready for the next helmsman to take over. The name board is still legible on her port side, kept clear of zebra mussels by visiting divers. The Spangler was an excellent last dive of the trip and I remember ascending the mooring line looking down at her, watching her fade into the haze as I ascended.
And so, another successful trip goes into the logbook. Four days, four dives. You can't hope for more than that.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Lake Huron Trip Report
Just a quick note to update everyone. This past weekend (July 10-11, 2010), we once again dove the Charles A. King in Lake Huron. Marshall Allan, Renee Allan, Mike Cameron and I drove up to Harbor Beach, MI Friday morning hoping to get in an afternoon dive on the King to shoot video and stills. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Capt. Gary Venet (www.rectecdivecharters.com) was bringing his boat up from Port Sanilac and estimated he'd be in Harbor Beach between 1 pm and 2 pm. The lake wasn't behaving though and kicked up some pretty good waves, delaying his arrival in Harbor Beach until a little after 3. No one was too interested in heading out given the lake conditions, so we prepped gear and loaded it onto to the boat for Saturday morning.
Luckily the wind died Friday night and the lake laid down quite nicely. Both Saturday and Sunday were quite calm, with sunny, blue skies overhead. Joining us on Saturday were James Mosely and Trimix Diver candidate Eric Field. On Sunday, divers Jack Papes and Ken Farnsworth joined our group.
We were treated to two nice dives on the King. Gary always does a great job and Tom and Charlie are always willing to lend a hand. The King is an amazing dive. She was recently discovered and has been visited by many divers yet. See my previous post for more details about the wreck itself.
Luckily the wind died Friday night and the lake laid down quite nicely. Both Saturday and Sunday were quite calm, with sunny, blue skies overhead. Joining us on Saturday were James Mosely and Trimix Diver candidate Eric Field. On Sunday, divers Jack Papes and Ken Farnsworth joined our group.
We were treated to two nice dives on the King. Gary always does a great job and Tom and Charlie are always willing to lend a hand. The King is an amazing dive. She was recently discovered and has been visited by many divers yet. See my previous post for more details about the wreck itself.
Monday, June 21, 2010
First Dive on the King
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Yesterday was my first dive on the Charles A. King
, a two masted schooner, 140' x 30' sitting upright in 215 feet of water. The wreck lies on the bottom of Lake Huron off the town of Harbor Beach, MI.
The story of the King's recent discovery starts about 3 years ago. I was diving from the Sylvia Anne, an awesome charter boat operated by Capt. Gary Venet (www.rectecdivecharters.com). He spotted a large, odd-looking ship in the distance. As it turned out, it was the Lake Guardian,an EPA research vessel heading down to Lake Erie to take water samples for a water quality survey. As they headed south on Lake Huron, they were testing their side scan sonar. Gary got into a conversation with them on the radio and when they found out he operated a wreck diving charter, they told him they had some hits on the side scan and wondered if he wanted the coordinates.
In the intervening years, I often asked Gary what he did with those numbers. He always politely answered, "Oh, we haven't had a chance to get out there yet." In reality though, he had investigated and one of the hits turned out to be a nearly intact schooner, upright on the bottom in just over 200' of water. He and his partners fully investigated the wreck and eventually identified her as the Charles A. King, named for a prominent businessman and former mayor of Toledo, OH.
2010 is the first year that Gary is offering public charters to the King. I jumped at the chance to dive a recently discovered wreck for the first time. I headed up to Harbor Beach Saturday evening with Marshall Allan. Another of our dive buddies, Dale Musser, had already checked in to the motel, as had a trimix student of mine, Andy Morrison (the world-renowned photographer).
Sunday morning dawned clear and bright with not a hint of breeze. At the marina, the flags hung limp on the flag pole. We wasted no time loading the boat and getting out to the wreck. Andy I were in no particular hurry, so we let everyone else get in the water and we went in last.
Dropping down the mooring line, we encountered the top of the foremast at about 130'. From there it was another 70' down to the deck, which is at about 195'. The forward part of the wreck is the most intact. The anchors are still on the bow, as is the windlass. The King was a canal schooner, so her bowspirit was made to fold back on her deck to fit through the locks. As she sits today, the bowspirit is indeed folded back. Gary and his buddy Tom Mehringer theorize that it folded back when she hit the bottom of Lake Huron stern first.
Moving towards the stern, we find deadeyes, lots of steel wire rigging, the capstan and other artifacts. I agree with Tom and Gary; it does appear she hit the lake bottom stern first. There is moderate damage at the stern with the cabin gone and the transom spring. The ship's wheel is still there and easily recognizable despite it's coating of zebra mussels. The ship's stove is on the bottom next to ship. Be sure to have a close look at the drawing above by Robert McGreevy (www.mcgreevy.com).
Andy and I work our way back to the bow and the ascent line. After almost an hour of ascent time we board the boat. The wind was still calm and we had a nice boat ride back to the harbor.
I'm really excited to have a "new" wreck to dive and we couldn't have had a better first dive on her than the one we had yesterday.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Calendar Shuffle
Due to high demand for courses on certain weekends and no demand for other weekends, I've shifted the dates of two activities.
First, the Advanced Nitrox/Deco Procedures course scheduled for July 17-18 at Gilboa quarry has been moved to July 31 and Aug. 1. I discovered Gilboa is running this year's Guinness Worlds Record Attempt July 17-18 so I thought we'd better move the course date.
The August 1000 Islands trip has been shifted one week to August 17 through the 20th.
Summer is going fast (I can't believe it's the middle of June already), so if you want to expand your diving this year, call or email me quickly before all the dates are filled.
First, the Advanced Nitrox/Deco Procedures course scheduled for July 17-18 at Gilboa quarry has been moved to July 31 and Aug. 1. I discovered Gilboa is running this year's Guinness Worlds Record Attempt July 17-18 so I thought we'd better move the course date.
The August 1000 Islands trip has been shifted one week to August 17 through the 20th.
Summer is going fast (I can't believe it's the middle of June already), so if you want to expand your diving this year, call or email me quickly before all the dates are filled.
Monday, May 24, 2010
What a Weekend!
Whew! What a weekend. I taught an Intro to Tech course this weekend and I think it may have been the best group I've had to date.
All three students are experienced recreational divers but not really experienced Great Lakes divers. Two of the guys are relatively new to drysuits and none have ever dove in doubles. We started out Friday evening at Marshall and Renee Allan's house, home of Bad Frog Divers, and where most of my equipment resides when I'm not actually underwater. Two of the guys wanted to try doubles, so we spent Friday night on equipment rigging. Marshall graciously offered to load all the equipment into his nice enclosed trailer and pull it out to the quarry Saturday so we could use it as our base of operations.
Saturday morning found us at White Star quarry in Gibsonburg, OH. We started with some "classroom" work followed by our first dive. Having two thirds of my class in doubles for the first time could have been quite a challenge. I figured they'd descend and impale themselves into the bottom like a lawn dart. Much to my delight, they both descended in a very controlled fashion and adapted to well to the new equipment config. On dive one we mainly focused on buoyancy, trim and propulsion.
After a break for lunch and a dive briefing, it was back in the water for another dive. This time we tried manifold drills for those in doubles, did a timed swim to calculate consumption rates and deployed lift bags. The liftbag drill was definitely a learning experience. We did accomplish the task, but suffice it to say it wasn't pretty!
Sunday was a beautiful day; sunny and mid 80's. We again started with some classroom briefing and swapped out some gear so everybody had an opportunity to try different equipment set ups. We got into the water and and again checked buoyancy and trim by swimming through the PVC diamond obstacle course. I also threw some OOA scenarios at them when they least expected it. I think the students learned the value of a 7' hose during that set of exercises. We also did some mask clearing and other basic skills. We also did liftbag deployment again. This time it went much more smoothly. Students deployed bags and we reeled up to 15' where we hovered for our safety stop.
After our exit, we debriefed he dive and were ready to head for home. I really enjoy introducing people to some of the principles and techniques of technical diving. I think it's a valuablr experience for these students to get a taste of tech diving before committing to an Adv. Nitrox/Deco course and they really enjoy and appreciate the chance to try different equipment styles and configurations. I really enjoyed diving with these guys and hope they continue to get more involved in Great Lakes diving.
All three students are experienced recreational divers but not really experienced Great Lakes divers. Two of the guys are relatively new to drysuits and none have ever dove in doubles. We started out Friday evening at Marshall and Renee Allan's house, home of Bad Frog Divers, and where most of my equipment resides when I'm not actually underwater. Two of the guys wanted to try doubles, so we spent Friday night on equipment rigging. Marshall graciously offered to load all the equipment into his nice enclosed trailer and pull it out to the quarry Saturday so we could use it as our base of operations.
Saturday morning found us at White Star quarry in Gibsonburg, OH. We started with some "classroom" work followed by our first dive. Having two thirds of my class in doubles for the first time could have been quite a challenge. I figured they'd descend and impale themselves into the bottom like a lawn dart. Much to my delight, they both descended in a very controlled fashion and adapted to well to the new equipment config. On dive one we mainly focused on buoyancy, trim and propulsion.
After a break for lunch and a dive briefing, it was back in the water for another dive. This time we tried manifold drills for those in doubles, did a timed swim to calculate consumption rates and deployed lift bags. The liftbag drill was definitely a learning experience. We did accomplish the task, but suffice it to say it wasn't pretty!
Sunday was a beautiful day; sunny and mid 80's. We again started with some classroom briefing and swapped out some gear so everybody had an opportunity to try different equipment set ups. We got into the water and and again checked buoyancy and trim by swimming through the PVC diamond obstacle course. I also threw some OOA scenarios at them when they least expected it. I think the students learned the value of a 7' hose during that set of exercises. We also did some mask clearing and other basic skills. We also did liftbag deployment again. This time it went much more smoothly. Students deployed bags and we reeled up to 15' where we hovered for our safety stop.
After our exit, we debriefed he dive and were ready to head for home. I really enjoy introducing people to some of the principles and techniques of technical diving. I think it's a valuablr experience for these students to get a taste of tech diving before committing to an Adv. Nitrox/Deco course and they really enjoy and appreciate the chance to try different equipment styles and configurations. I really enjoyed diving with these guys and hope they continue to get more involved in Great Lakes diving.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Dive Season is Here, Go Diving!
May is finally here. It's sunny and 70 degrees outside. I'd rather be out diving today instead of working in my office in the basement of a 3 story building, but that's the way it goes.
Last season was a rough one, what with the economy being in the toilet and all. Based on my own experience and conversations with other instructors, dives stores and charter captains in this part of the Great Lakes, this year is off to a sluggish start. My guess is that even though the economy may be beginning to show signs of life, people are being cautious and not committing to dive trips or classes too far in advance.
So here's hoping this season is better than last. The weather is getting nice, charter boats are back in the water, local dive stores are starting up local dives, so dust off your dive gear and go diving. Take a course, go out on a charter boat, go to the local quarry, it doesn't matter what kind of diving you do, but let's get this season going.
Last season was a rough one, what with the economy being in the toilet and all. Based on my own experience and conversations with other instructors, dives stores and charter captains in this part of the Great Lakes, this year is off to a sluggish start. My guess is that even though the economy may be beginning to show signs of life, people are being cautious and not committing to dive trips or classes too far in advance.
So here's hoping this season is better than last. The weather is getting nice, charter boats are back in the water, local dive stores are starting up local dives, so dust off your dive gear and go diving. Take a course, go out on a charter boat, go to the local quarry, it doesn't matter what kind of diving you do, but let's get this season going.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
July Advanced Nitrox/Deco Course Added
I've added another Advanced Nitrox/Decompression Procedures course for the summer. The course will begin July 17-18 at Gilboa Quarry near Findlay, OH. Course completion dives will take place Aug. 10-13 in the 1000 Islands (Rockport, ON).This is the first technical diving course in the TDI course structure. In a nutshell, Advanced Nitrox covers the proper utilization of all nitrox mixtures up to and including 100% oxygen. The Decompression Procedures course covers procedures, techniques, planning and execution of dives requiring staged decompression to a maximum depth of 150 fsw. Equipment configuration is also covered, including the use of one decompression cylinder.
Contact me at 419-290-0014 or email rick@GreatLakesTechDiving.com for information. Also feel free to visit my website for more course descriptions, www.GreatLakesTechDiving.com.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Trimix Diver Course/Presque Isle Charter Package
This year, I'm offering an incredible package deal on the TDI Trimix Diver course with a 4 day wreck diving charter included. The normal cost of the TDI Trimix Diver course is $900. The cost of the Lake Huron wreck diving charter is $600, for a total of $1500. I have two spaces available on this charter and will offer the course AND charter for $1000, saving you $500!The charter is in Lake Huron near Presque Isle, MI July 22-25, 2010. This area features some of the best wrecks in Lake Huron; ships like the Windiate, Kyle Spangler and S.S. Florida. Go back a few entries in this blog and read the trip report from 2009. We're going back this July to explore these fantastic wrecks some more.
The TDI Trimix Diver course introduces you to helium-based breathing mixtures. We all know that nitrogen is the "bad guy," causing narcosis at depth and messing with our heads. By using replacing nitrogen with non-narcotic helium, we greatly reduce the effects of narcosis. The course will use breathing gasses with a minimum of 18% oxygen to a maximum depth of 200 fsw. The course consists of classroom training, quarry dives, and finally course completion dives in the Great Lakes.
Potential students must meet course prerequisites and be able to complete the classroom and quarry dives prior to the July 22-25 charter. There are only two spots available at this price. $350 deposit required with another $300 due by May 15. Balance is due at the first class meeting. Other rules/limits apply. Contact me for full details. Rick@GreatLakesTechDiving.com
Friday, February 12, 2010
Dive Computers: Useful Tool or Overpriced Toy?
Almost every recreational diver is familiar with dive computers. Diver-carried computers have become a way of life. The question is: do dive computers have a role in technical diving?
First of all, let me define the scope of this discussion so we’re all on the same page. Let’s limit our discussion to diver-carried computers designed for technical diving. These computers are capable of tracking multiple gasses and computing a decompression schedule. Within this group of dive computers, we can further divide them into computers that are capable of calculating deco schedules for helium-based mixes (“trimix” computers) and those that only deal with mixes containing oxygen and nitrogen (“nitrox” computers). The Liquivision X1, Dive Rite Nitek X and Delta P’s VR3 are examples of so-called “trimix computers” while Dive Rite’s Nitek Duo and Trio are examples of multigas “nitrox” computers.
Next, let me dismiss the idea of using recreational dive computers (i.e. single gas, no decompression) in a technical diving setting (i.e. multiple gasses including trimix and staged decompression). Trying to do this is like using a hammer to drive in a screw: it’s simply the wrong tool for the job.
I am also not going to discuss specific brands and models, nor am I going to attempt to provide some sort of “Buyer’s Guide.” I’m going to discuss the general debate centering on technical dive computers vs. tables and bottom timers.
Historical Perspective
Technical dives are complex and require lots of planning. You have to choose your bottom gas, deco gas(ses), calculate a decompression schedule, calculate the volume of each gas required and factor in contingency plans. Historically, divers have used computer programs on a desktop computer to run various scenarios and come up with the most viable plan for a given set of dive parameters. The software generates a deco schedule which is transferred to a slate or waterproof notebook. During the dive, the diver uses a simple timer and depth gauge to follow the plan.
Since the advent of dive computers specifically designed for technical diving, the debate has raged between the “computer” crowd and the “bottom timer and tables” camp. The computer devotees cite the main advantages of wearing a computer as flexibility (i.e. endless contingency plans on my wrist), accuracy (the computer is calculating deco based on actual depth/time rather than pre-cut tables of what I think depth/time will be) and elimination of human error. The bottom timer advocates cite economy (“I can buy a lot of bottom timers for the cost of one computer”), lack of necessity (tables work fine, why change?) and the notion that a dive computer will become a crutch for divers. Both sides make valid points. Let’s look at a few of these points.
Flexibility Computers do offer great flexibility. If your depth or bottom time should deviate from the planned time or depth, the computer will modify the deco schedule to reflect such variances. If a planned deco gas is not available for some reason, the computer will again modify the deco schedule to account for the loss of this gas. BUT, argue the computer opponents, if you really understand deco theory, you should be able to calculate those kinds of table “tweaks” yourself underwater using only the dive computer between you ears. This leads into the next argument against using computers.
Computers are nothing more than crutches for inept divers. Some argue that if you understand decompression theory and how to apply it, you can generate a reasonable deco schedule off the top of your head, or, as in the example above, modify an existing schedule to account for changes in the dive plan. I think this premise takes a sound concept and takes it to absurd proportions. I do agree that all technical divers should thoroughly understand decompression theory and its application. I believe it is imperative to have a solid foundation in deco theory before one can intelligently use a dive computer. I can’t imagine any instructor advocating that students buy computers in order to avoid learning decompression theory. Remember, a dive computer is a tool. Tools are stupid; they rely on the craftsman to have the skill to use them properly.
Accuracy Proponents of dive computers point out that computers provide a more accurate depiction of the actual dive. Most technical divers using desktop software plan a dive as a square profile, that is, the diver descends to maximum depth, remains there for the entire bottom time, and then begins a direct ascent to the surface. In reality, the depths of the dive may vary during the dive and the square profile may generate an unnecessarily long deco schedule. The computer, however, is constantly calculating and re-calculating the deco schedule based on current dive parameters.
No discussion of dive computers would be complete without mentioning cost. There’s no denying the fact that computers for technical diving are expensive. While a multi-gas nitrox computer may only cost several hundred dollars, a sophisticated multi-gas trimix computer will set you back over one thousand dollars, with some close to two thousand. Are dive computers worth the expense? That’s a personal decision each diver must make for him/herself.
Conclusion
Whichever tool you decide to use to manage decompression planning, it must be a team decision. Team members must communicate and agree on procedures for the dive. All members of the dive team must use the same gasses, follow the same profile and use the same decompression planning tools.
No matter what dive computer or desktop software package you use, you should:
• Understand decompression theory and its application
• Know how the software you are using functions and use it only within its stated parameters
• Consult with dive team members when planning dives so you are all on the same page
• Use decompression planning tools conservatively
• Dive within the capabilities, limitations and certification levels of the least experienced team member
In technical diving, there should be no egos within the team. You should be absolutely comfortable talking with and asking questions of your teammates. After all, you are placing your life in their hands and they are doing likewise.
First of all, let me define the scope of this discussion so we’re all on the same page. Let’s limit our discussion to diver-carried computers designed for technical diving. These computers are capable of tracking multiple gasses and computing a decompression schedule. Within this group of dive computers, we can further divide them into computers that are capable of calculating deco schedules for helium-based mixes (“trimix” computers) and those that only deal with mixes containing oxygen and nitrogen (“nitrox” computers). The Liquivision X1, Dive Rite Nitek X and Delta P’s VR3 are examples of so-called “trimix computers” while Dive Rite’s Nitek Duo and Trio are examples of multigas “nitrox” computers.
Next, let me dismiss the idea of using recreational dive computers (i.e. single gas, no decompression) in a technical diving setting (i.e. multiple gasses including trimix and staged decompression). Trying to do this is like using a hammer to drive in a screw: it’s simply the wrong tool for the job.
I am also not going to discuss specific brands and models, nor am I going to attempt to provide some sort of “Buyer’s Guide.” I’m going to discuss the general debate centering on technical dive computers vs. tables and bottom timers.
Historical Perspective
Technical dives are complex and require lots of planning. You have to choose your bottom gas, deco gas(ses), calculate a decompression schedule, calculate the volume of each gas required and factor in contingency plans. Historically, divers have used computer programs on a desktop computer to run various scenarios and come up with the most viable plan for a given set of dive parameters. The software generates a deco schedule which is transferred to a slate or waterproof notebook. During the dive, the diver uses a simple timer and depth gauge to follow the plan.
Since the advent of dive computers specifically designed for technical diving, the debate has raged between the “computer” crowd and the “bottom timer and tables” camp. The computer devotees cite the main advantages of wearing a computer as flexibility (i.e. endless contingency plans on my wrist), accuracy (the computer is calculating deco based on actual depth/time rather than pre-cut tables of what I think depth/time will be) and elimination of human error. The bottom timer advocates cite economy (“I can buy a lot of bottom timers for the cost of one computer”), lack of necessity (tables work fine, why change?) and the notion that a dive computer will become a crutch for divers. Both sides make valid points. Let’s look at a few of these points.
Flexibility Computers do offer great flexibility. If your depth or bottom time should deviate from the planned time or depth, the computer will modify the deco schedule to reflect such variances. If a planned deco gas is not available for some reason, the computer will again modify the deco schedule to account for the loss of this gas. BUT, argue the computer opponents, if you really understand deco theory, you should be able to calculate those kinds of table “tweaks” yourself underwater using only the dive computer between you ears. This leads into the next argument against using computers.
Computers are nothing more than crutches for inept divers. Some argue that if you understand decompression theory and how to apply it, you can generate a reasonable deco schedule off the top of your head, or, as in the example above, modify an existing schedule to account for changes in the dive plan. I think this premise takes a sound concept and takes it to absurd proportions. I do agree that all technical divers should thoroughly understand decompression theory and its application. I believe it is imperative to have a solid foundation in deco theory before one can intelligently use a dive computer. I can’t imagine any instructor advocating that students buy computers in order to avoid learning decompression theory. Remember, a dive computer is a tool. Tools are stupid; they rely on the craftsman to have the skill to use them properly.
Accuracy Proponents of dive computers point out that computers provide a more accurate depiction of the actual dive. Most technical divers using desktop software plan a dive as a square profile, that is, the diver descends to maximum depth, remains there for the entire bottom time, and then begins a direct ascent to the surface. In reality, the depths of the dive may vary during the dive and the square profile may generate an unnecessarily long deco schedule. The computer, however, is constantly calculating and re-calculating the deco schedule based on current dive parameters.
No discussion of dive computers would be complete without mentioning cost. There’s no denying the fact that computers for technical diving are expensive. While a multi-gas nitrox computer may only cost several hundred dollars, a sophisticated multi-gas trimix computer will set you back over one thousand dollars, with some close to two thousand. Are dive computers worth the expense? That’s a personal decision each diver must make for him/herself.
Conclusion
Whichever tool you decide to use to manage decompression planning, it must be a team decision. Team members must communicate and agree on procedures for the dive. All members of the dive team must use the same gasses, follow the same profile and use the same decompression planning tools.
No matter what dive computer or desktop software package you use, you should:
• Understand decompression theory and its application
• Know how the software you are using functions and use it only within its stated parameters
• Consult with dive team members when planning dives so you are all on the same page
• Use decompression planning tools conservatively
• Dive within the capabilities, limitations and certification levels of the least experienced team member
In technical diving, there should be no egos within the team. You should be absolutely comfortable talking with and asking questions of your teammates. After all, you are placing your life in their hands and they are doing likewise.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Choosing a Technical Diving Instructor
Technical diving is a risky venture. Let’s have no illusions about it, scuba diving, especially technical diving, can kill you. So choosing the person who is going to train you in this risky endeavor should not be taken lightly. When I began the process of becoming a technical diving, I was lucky enough to get some very good advice from others who had gone down this road before me. I’d like to share that advice and also describe my own philosophy towards technical diver training.
Choose an instructor who is doing the kinds of dives you would like to do. If you want to do deep trimix dives on wrecks like the Gunilda, then choose an instructor who is doing dives like that. If your aspiration is to dive deep wrecks in the Great Lakes, then choosing an instructor who primarily dives only in the Caribbean, or on training dives with students in a quarry, probably isn’t going to give you the best results.
Avoid instructors who only dive when teaching. Instructors are divers too. We need time to do our own “fun” dives in order to grow personally and professionally. Instructors who only dive with students on training dives are not challenging themselves, which leads to stagnation.
Train in the environment in which you want to dive. Don’t do your coursework diving in warm, clear tropic waters if your goal is to dive wrecks in the
Don’t confuse price with value. The first question you ask an instructor should not be “How much does it cost?” Get to know the instructor a little bit before getting to price. Find out the instructor’s views about training and diving in general. Find out details about the course like what topics are covered, how many dives are conducted, are the dives conducted only in quarries or are there charter dives too, and how many students will be in the class. When you do get around to price, you’ll have a better idea of whether you’re getting a good deal or not. Sometimes a more expensive course is a better value because it includes things that cheaper courses do not.
Ask lots of questions. Basically this a job interview for the instructor. Ask the instructor about his/her personal diving. What type of diving does he/she like to do when not teaching? What are the equipment requirements? Tell him/her about your diving experience and what you hope to learn in the course. Explain your diving goals. Look for a personal connection. Do you like this instructor? Do you trust him/her? At this level of training, a good rapport is essential. You may find a perfectly competent instructor, but you may decide not to take the course with him/her if you detect a personality mismatch.
I try to incorporate the above points into my own teaching ethic.
- I actually train only a handful of divers each year. This allows me about half of the dive season for my own personal diving. I’m learning new things about diving all the time. Having an instructor card doesn’t mean I know everything there is to know.
- I offer courses exclusively in the
- I strive to price my courses fairly and to make them valuable by adding things other instructors may not. My students begin course dives in the quarry and then progress to actual
Technical diving is not for everyone. It is risky and potentially fatal. If you decide to take the technical diving path, choose your instructor carefully. This choice will affect the rest of your technical diving career.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
What do you want to do this summer?
I haven't posted anything here for quite some time, mainly because it's winter and the water around here is solid, hence no diving for me, so no posts. As we enter the coldest, bleakest month of the winter season, my thoughts are split between remembering the past dive season and planning for the upcoming season.
Last year was a pretty dismal season for the dive industry I think. The economy was bad and that hurt, especially around here, the heart of the American auto industry. Course enrollments were down, charter trips weren't running full and overall interest in technical diving was virtually non-existent.
So I'm curious, what do you folks envision yourselves doing, diving-wise, in the summer of 2010? I ask for two reasons: idle curiosity and business planning. I'm just plain curious what people want to do. Are you interested in diving any particular wrecks? Do you plan to further your dive education? I'm also interested in feedback so I can integrate it into my upcoming course and trip offerings.
So please, feel free to post what kind of diving activities you're thinking of for this season, or post if you're not going to dive at all. Thanks.
Last year was a pretty dismal season for the dive industry I think. The economy was bad and that hurt, especially around here, the heart of the American auto industry. Course enrollments were down, charter trips weren't running full and overall interest in technical diving was virtually non-existent.
So I'm curious, what do you folks envision yourselves doing, diving-wise, in the summer of 2010? I ask for two reasons: idle curiosity and business planning. I'm just plain curious what people want to do. Are you interested in diving any particular wrecks? Do you plan to further your dive education? I'm also interested in feedback so I can integrate it into my upcoming course and trip offerings.
So please, feel free to post what kind of diving activities you're thinking of for this season, or post if you're not going to dive at all. Thanks.
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