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Video of HMCS CHAUDIERE

UWE and Red Hat Divers is excited to announce that we were up on the HMCS CHAUDIERE on Wednesday, Jan 28, helping with some of the underwater video footage for the Capilano College movie that is being made.  Originally it was going to us just driving the zodiac but we offered to do underwater footage for them if they wish.

Here is some of the shots that we were able to compile, let us know what you think.

Weekly Night Dive

UWE and SCDC once again met at Suncoast Diving to head out for their weekly drop in night dive.  It was a little hit and miss, as early in the day it was snowing rather heavy.  Never being to cold to dive, the roads can be pretty rough down into Tuwanek so we were not to sure how the day would work out.  Thankfully, the snow did not stick, nor did it snow for too long, so sure enough…off we went at 4, headed to the dive site.

Once again there was a pretty good turn out for the dive.  The water temperature on the surface has certainly decreased a lot as it is in the 39 degree range, though still fairly warm at depth, as it was still in the low 50′s.  Sam had the shop camera with her, and I had switched from video back to my still camera, and we certainly were not disappointed.  I found a Red Octopus once again, and then not to long afterwards, I found a Pip Fish sitting on the bottom in about 40 feet of water or so.  We also had some Sculpins, Hair Crabs, and a Giant Nudi, which is always a favorite.

Once again, come on out and come night diving with us…we promise it will be a blast!!

Weekly Night Dive

UWE and Sunshine Coast Dive Club were at it again.  Our weekly night dive had us down once again to the site in Tuwanek.  What Tuwanek again?!?  Yes Tuwanek, I mean really how can you not dive and dive that site, especially when you have Sam Octopus Woman Sugars with yuou.  Everytime I go in for a night dive with her…boom she finds an octopus out hunting in the gravel. 

So there we are, not even 10 minutes into the dive and sure enough, the light flash to the back of the head…yup its Octopus Woman…and sure enough there in the gravel is a young Giant Pacific Octopus…and you know me, I have the video camera.  So you got it…more octopus footage.  But really who gets tired of octopus encounters…certainly not I!!

The club dive was really a great success, we had Sam, Lindsy, Sean, Kyle, Carl and myself…so once again a good turn out.  Interested in night diving….be sure to stop by www.scdiveclub.net and sign up for the club!!

Tuwanek Night Dive

Uwe and the Sunshine Coast Dive Club went out for the first night dive of 2009.  Uwe and Red Hat Divers have been working together to create an Underwater Video of the various dive sites here in the Sechelt Inlet.

The dive went very well, we had an encounter with what I think was a Red Octopus, a Pipe Fish, as well we had a great run in with a Red Hairy Crab, and what looked like flatworms.

Overall it was a great dive!  Interested in diving or joining Sunshine Coast Dive Club, then be sure to contact UWE!!

New Wreck Diver

Uwe is excited to announce that Paul has successfully completed his PADI Wreck course.  Paul too his time completing the course by splitting the 4 training dives up over two months.

Dive One and Two were conducted back in early December.  Our day out on the inlet for the first dives was pretty cold and rough.  The wind and sea was up, and made for a very challenging day of diving, but Paul was up to the challenge and did an excellent job.

His last two dives were conducted on Sunday, and even though the fog was pretty heavy, we carefully made our way up the inlet in what at times was zero and zero visibility.  Thankfully by the time we made our way to the Chaudiere the sun was out, and the fog burned off.  The water temperature is down to 40 on the the surface and 48 at depth.  Visibility was excellent….and Paul did an excellent job on his last two dives!!  Well done Paul!

General Guide Lines Covering All Dives (Tec or Rec)

I have been reading an interesting manual from IANTD and I could not get over how much this makes sense, so I thought I would share it with my readers!

”

• Analyze all gases prior to diving;
• Ensure all gases are properly and visibly labeled prior to diving;
• Use 1.4 PPO2 on technical level exposures as a bottom and 1.6 as a maximum decompression mix PPO2
• After a period of acitvity at the surface (kitting up), allow for a short rest period in order to get breathing and heart rate back under control prior to entering water.  Experienced divers may use visualization techniques or bodycardial breathing to achieve this.  In short, wtop whatever you are doing and breathe deeply for a period of time;
• During the descent, stop at 20ft (6msw).  Perform a leak and general equipment check.  THis wait time of an additional minute or so further allows the body to acclimate to the new environment.  Temperature and light acclimatization may take several minutes (up to 25 minutes for major light changes), however this brief stop will allow the cardio-vascular system to return to near normal rates.
• Make a slow descent without excess exercise.  Either free fall or use hand over hand techniques with shot lines in tidal areas.  Finning down the line will use a lot of energy and produce CO2 that in turn predisposes us to narcosis and a range of other problems.
• Having reached the bottom take another brief period to adjust equipment and attain the correct buoyancy.  All these extra stabilizing minutes are simply an attempt to return the body to a near surface functioning state such that it operates to maximum efficiency.
• During the dive, whenever possible use “pull and glide” techniques rather then heavy finning (with suitable respect for the environment).  Use of the arms reduce breathing stress.
• If at any point during the dive a stressful situation arises, STOP, take 3 deep breaths (focus on breathing out), Think and Act in that order.  Try and prioritize the problems.  The bottom line being if I have gas I can breathe.  There is no urgency to start an ascent if at the end of the planned time something happens which slows egress providing bailout schedules are (and should be) carried.
• If the depth of the dive is known, carry a schedule for the dive time and the dive time plus 5 minutes.  If the depth is uncertain carry a schedule for the depth and the time and the depth plus at least 10ft (3m) and the same time.  Carry an additional schedule for the longest time and deepest depth assuming a decompression on bottom mix.
• Always plan for the deepest part of the dive even if this portion is only a bounce, i.e. if the wreck bottoms at 229fsw (70 msw), but most of the dive is at 223fsw (68 msw), plan for 229 fsw (70 msw).  Maintain ascent rates of 33ft/minute (10 m/minute) or less, even from deep water.
• As with a no-stop dive where it is wise not to return directly to the surface (as this is a calculated pressure ceiling), it is also wise not to return directly to the  first decompression stop.  One or two minutes spent waiting 10fsw (3msw) below the first stop are beneficial when considering tissue over pressurization and will have no noticeable affect on the remaining decompression.
• Avoid unnecessary deplays in deep water on bottom mix, such as starting up a wall after planned bottom time and then taking time to stop and look.
• Do not reduce stop times arbitrarily.  Do not make assumptions on stop time reduction if using a non planned gas without first computing for the effects.  In a team plan this would mean carry a schedule for the worst gas scenario of the team (most deco).
• When reaching the first stop and if using a time device which works in whole minutes.  Wait until the minute has incremented and then start the timing at that stop.
• If the stop involves a gas switch, start the stop timing after at least 3 – 4 breaths using the gas.
• Maintain stop accurracy to +/- 1fsw (.5 msw)
• After completing the final stop, ascend half way to the surface and stop for a further 2 – 5 minutes.
• While waiting for the boat to pick you up, stay on the highest available FO2
• Upon entry into the boat after a period of decompression, spend at least 5 minutes breathing your highest available FO2 on the surface.
• Hydrate with non-acidic drinks at least 12 hours before planned extended decompression dive.  Hydrate again prior to the dive and immediately afterwards
• Avoid alcholic beverages, caffine and decongestants prior to diving.
• Do not smoke, especially immediately before and after a dive.

“

These points are pretty much common sense things, but how many people skip past some, out of complancy??