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To quote a movie, "Looks like we gonna need a bitter boat..." I've been out on the U-853 several times (at last count, I've got 13 dives on the wreck). I've used boats that were less than 30 feet; however, I stopped because the trip was difficult and it was frequently cancelled due to rough...

Come on, Boogie, ponys have their uses if they are correctly sized and mounted. I wouldn't even think about diving without my pony bottle. Its 130 cu. ft., mounted to the left of my other tank (also 130 cu. ft.) using bands and provides complete redundancy. ;) The only downside is that I do...

Welcome. I passed through Iceland on my last trip to Norway. I'm looking forward to returning for a longer visit.

Another response I like is "I'm sorry, but we'd prefer to keep our buddy team intact for this dive. We can't add a buddy today." Don't let yourself feel pressured or bullied into taking on someone else. Unless you're being paid for the thrill of escorting other divers, you pick your...

In the case you describe, I might tell the person that you and your buddy are new divers, that you are still learning the ropes, and that you don't feel comfortable buddying up with him due to the extra task loading. You don't need to mention that the basis for the extra task loading is that he...

Thanks for wasting 2 minutes of my life reading this manure. Get yourself a couple of drinks, relax and stay away from the computer.

I've been diving my current rig for a few years. I wouldn't change anything, but I will add a few components when I've got some free cash. Halcyon Explorer 55 with a steel plate PST E8-130's with a Thermo manifold and Highland Bands Dual ATX200's Suunto D3 and a Stinger running gauge mode...

IMHO, yes, but you should do this on the surface. The DM's are being paid to escort divers. You are not. You are paying the DM's for an enjoyable trip. If the other divers on the boat have elected to dive with a Hoover, that's their problem. If the DM's buddied them up, then the DM's...

Its not frightening at all. Its a great area, with an amazing maritime history. Like any other type of diving, it requires proper equipment and training. IMHO, a 110 foot dive in the Carribean does not adequately prepare a diver for a 110 foot dive up here, primarily because of the...

My gear is stored in a dual axle Haulin trailer. I bought it from a buddy of mine when he decided to upgrade to a larger trailer. The tanks are stored in tank holders that are similar to what you'd see on a boat. Lighter dear fits on racks. Heavy gear, including my scooter, fits on a heavy...

I've got a three year old at home. She's fascinated by Daddy's scuba trailer and equipment. When she's older, I'm hoping that she'll want to learn to dive. I've worked several classes as an AI in which there were students as young as 12 (my LDS won't certify 10 year olds, regardless of what...

I like Thermos better than Halcyon (I own both). My Thermo has the barrel o-rings and came with rubber knobs. The big difference is that the Thermo valves turn much easier than the Halcyon. In addition, the knobs are a bit bigger, which makes it a bit easier to grab them during a valve...

Thoughts and condolences to the victims of another cowardly attack by those seeking to impose a 7th Century mentality on the civilized world. The people of London stood by us and mourned when these "people" attacked the U.S. I've still got pictures of vigils and memorials that were held in...

IMHO, absolutely not. It is the diver's responsibility for a final check of their gear. Most of the boats I use won't touch your valves unless you specifically ask them to do so. Even then, it is still your responsibility to check that they are set properly for the dive.

Make sure that you attach the hose to a HP outlet. Make sure that the o-ring on the hose is in good shape before you tighten. Don't crossthread. I find it easiest to let the hose hang vertically, position the reg over the thread, start it, and hand tighten until it is snug. Don't...

I've got several reasons for not marking my tanks with Nitrox stickers. First, it gets in the way of the labels that I actually want on my tanks, such as my name (in 3" tall letters) on both sides of the tank, along with O2 clean stickers, contents stickers and vis stickers. These labels...

That depends on what you are doing. Relatively shallow and short shoudn't be a major issue. At best, you'll save some money by not having to purchase a new suit. At worst, you'll need to call the dive early, in which case you'll know that your next purchase is justified.

When I dove wet, it was in a 7mm farmer john, which has a total of 14mm over the torso. I was never cold, until I took it off. I had cases where the water froze on my chest (Folly Cove, December, 15 deg. F still air temp). That's when I bought the dry suit. You might find your setup...

I carry a pony bottle on all of my dives. Its banded to my LP104 and is exactly the same size. I've never been a big fan of a single tank with pony, especially one that is attached to the backgas. Here is why. http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=74063&page=1&pp=10&highlight=unsafe...

What you went through is, unfortunately, an example of poor business skills. Let's face it, SP probably makes perfectly decent gear. For that matter, so do other manufacturers. My personal experience with Apeks has been great. I use ATX200's on my doubles, and ATX50's on my singles and...