Johnoly
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Today we were doing gear testing on BC's. Testing is broken down into several areas with the digital portion done in a lab for items like lift capacity numbers, specs, suitcase travel weight, size, etc. Us test divers look at a different set of items that relate to how each of us dive. And the testers all dive differently as instructors, photogs, DM's, collectors, students, vacationers, etc. Each is looking for something different in a BC and that's what we were testing today at BG.
But I wanted to post picture updates on Blue Grotto for those who haven't been there in a while. It was pretty busy in the morning because many other training sites are blown out from river flooding and then it slowed down after lunch. Also to show the “Stage Bottle Step” for @Manatee Diver who asked for more specifics from my last BG post. I thought it was a great idea which avoids the dreaded stair step exit blockers who take hours to move and won't give you room to squeeze past. Same people who drive in the left lane still talking and blocking you.
The Huge floating platform has been relocated all the way to the right side cliff wall {almost}. The gate has also been changed to the far right too and the old one blocked off. On the floating platform they still have 2 sets of stairs with signs that say Entrance and Exit.
At each outside walkway near each stair steps is located a “Stage Bottle/Gear removal” under water standing step. What you do is swim up next to the Stage Bottle step and stand on it with your fins on it. It lets you stand up in about 4ft deep and easily remove your stage bottles. There are under water rope tie rings for you to leave your stage hanging underwater. Or you can lift them up & out and lay them flat on the plastic floor infront of you. There also is a bolted small plastic tupperware container for you to place your clips and wrist items to retrieve later with your flat stage bottles. Below you can see a pict with the U/W platform & setup.
Below is a duplicate stage bottle step on the opposite side and you can see it easily holds 2 divers standing on it to discuss or get ready for a dive.
Last thing was a picture of 2 baby Black Vultures that were born a couple of weeks ago in the hollowed out hole nest in the west side cliff. They would hop & flap around trying to fly, but not quite ready yet. Pretty easy day and got almost everything tested that I needed to. Back to the ocean in a couple of weeks after the ToDo home list is done.
But I wanted to post picture updates on Blue Grotto for those who haven't been there in a while. It was pretty busy in the morning because many other training sites are blown out from river flooding and then it slowed down after lunch. Also to show the “Stage Bottle Step” for @Manatee Diver who asked for more specifics from my last BG post. I thought it was a great idea which avoids the dreaded stair step exit blockers who take hours to move and won't give you room to squeeze past. Same people who drive in the left lane still talking and blocking you.
The Huge floating platform has been relocated all the way to the right side cliff wall {almost}. The gate has also been changed to the far right too and the old one blocked off. On the floating platform they still have 2 sets of stairs with signs that say Entrance and Exit.
At each outside walkway near each stair steps is located a “Stage Bottle/Gear removal” under water standing step. What you do is swim up next to the Stage Bottle step and stand on it with your fins on it. It lets you stand up in about 4ft deep and easily remove your stage bottles. There are under water rope tie rings for you to leave your stage hanging underwater. Or you can lift them up & out and lay them flat on the plastic floor infront of you. There also is a bolted small plastic tupperware container for you to place your clips and wrist items to retrieve later with your flat stage bottles. Below you can see a pict with the U/W platform & setup.
Below is a duplicate stage bottle step on the opposite side and you can see it easily holds 2 divers standing on it to discuss or get ready for a dive.
Last thing was a picture of 2 baby Black Vultures that were born a couple of weeks ago in the hollowed out hole nest in the west side cliff. They would hop & flap around trying to fly, but not quite ready yet. Pretty easy day and got almost everything tested that I needed to. Back to the ocean in a couple of weeks after the ToDo home list is done.
