ontrak
Guest
This is might first post, I hope I can convey for everyone my elation from last weekend.
I've often wondered if the oxymoron "organized chaos" can really be achieved. After my experience at the Bonne Terre Mines Treasure Hunt, I've concluded the answer is: absofreakinlutely!
I had just recently finished my certificaiton (6 dives) when I decided that this might be a good opportunity for me to get some additonal "experience" and "get involved in the sport". I couldn't have underestimated the benefits any more than I had.
Let's start with the "(dive) experience": What a trip!
1) Once I learned that a "slow and controlled descent" (you know, what you learn in class) was undoubtly not going to work (if I wanted to get some chips), I decided the dump valve mixed with extra weight was what I needed to REALLY speed things up...or down, straight down...add to that full thrusts with the legs...and hopefully a well timed "swoop", skimming the bottom was very effective. Notice the verbiage; hopefully and well timed...LOL
I only planted in once, but it was enough for me "learn from experience"; control soon followed.
Before learning this, I picked up an estimate total quantity of 10 chips totaling approximately $1,000 in value. Almost all of them were picked up on the second descent on Dive 1. After learning this, I can't give you an estimate of the chip count, but I wound up with $6000 in value after the two descents on Dive 2. Experience! (and probably some luck)
2) Equalizing pressure: This was something I wasn't prepared for on my first "dump"...caught me off guard in the first 20 feet or so, but I adjusted and learned to equalize while "screaming like a banshee" down to the bottom. Experience!
3) Buoyancy: In the middle of the very first descent/dive, somehow I had learned how to adjust my buoyancy without constantly hitting a button...this was, in mind opinion, one of the best parts of the dives...I was using, for lack of better words, "desire" to get where I wanted (within reason of course)...Experience!
4) Slow down: Sometime during the second dives/descents, I slowed down, still fast, but slower and more smooth: smooth is fast and to my amazement, I had better all around vision and awareness. I apologize to anyone I clobbered prior to achieving this...Experience!
5) I'm not what divers refer to as "a heavy breather", but I went through air pretty well compared to others...I think it was from constant belly laughing under water. I'll try not to do that on longer planned dives...Experience!
"Get involved in the sport"
1) Here I am, on ScubaBoard...not too shabby
2) I exchanged phone numbers with several local divers. It'll be nice to have some dive buddies!
3) I met many more people from the GREAT staff at BTM and West End Diving!
4) Everyone, and I mean everyone, was nothing but fun, polite, and helpful. Being "on my own" for the first time was a little unnerving and this treatment from others, I think, gets to the heart of what I believe I'm going to find as I continue on with SCUBA Diving. During the first "mad dash" to get geared up, I was freaking out. A guy from Michigan who was there with his son, helped me get my gear on, checked my gear, and quite frankly made me feel comfortable and relaxed....If you read this you know who you are and I can't THANK YOU enough!
To sum it up, this "(life) experience" was one of the most fun things I've encountered in a long, long time! I now have 8 dives (or is it 10, back to the books, I should have studied harder)...and ready for more!
My hats off to everyone, the staff and divers alike. To all of you, THANKS. I'll be there to sweep the chips next year!
Sincerley,
Tim K.
I've often wondered if the oxymoron "organized chaos" can really be achieved. After my experience at the Bonne Terre Mines Treasure Hunt, I've concluded the answer is: absofreakinlutely!
I had just recently finished my certificaiton (6 dives) when I decided that this might be a good opportunity for me to get some additonal "experience" and "get involved in the sport". I couldn't have underestimated the benefits any more than I had.
Let's start with the "(dive) experience": What a trip!
1) Once I learned that a "slow and controlled descent" (you know, what you learn in class) was undoubtly not going to work (if I wanted to get some chips), I decided the dump valve mixed with extra weight was what I needed to REALLY speed things up...or down, straight down...add to that full thrusts with the legs...and hopefully a well timed "swoop", skimming the bottom was very effective. Notice the verbiage; hopefully and well timed...LOL
I only planted in once, but it was enough for me "learn from experience"; control soon followed.
Before learning this, I picked up an estimate total quantity of 10 chips totaling approximately $1,000 in value. Almost all of them were picked up on the second descent on Dive 1. After learning this, I can't give you an estimate of the chip count, but I wound up with $6000 in value after the two descents on Dive 2. Experience! (and probably some luck)
2) Equalizing pressure: This was something I wasn't prepared for on my first "dump"...caught me off guard in the first 20 feet or so, but I adjusted and learned to equalize while "screaming like a banshee" down to the bottom. Experience!
3) Buoyancy: In the middle of the very first descent/dive, somehow I had learned how to adjust my buoyancy without constantly hitting a button...this was, in mind opinion, one of the best parts of the dives...I was using, for lack of better words, "desire" to get where I wanted (within reason of course)...Experience!
4) Slow down: Sometime during the second dives/descents, I slowed down, still fast, but slower and more smooth: smooth is fast and to my amazement, I had better all around vision and awareness. I apologize to anyone I clobbered prior to achieving this...Experience!
5) I'm not what divers refer to as "a heavy breather", but I went through air pretty well compared to others...I think it was from constant belly laughing under water. I'll try not to do that on longer planned dives...Experience!
"Get involved in the sport"
1) Here I am, on ScubaBoard...not too shabby
2) I exchanged phone numbers with several local divers. It'll be nice to have some dive buddies!
3) I met many more people from the GREAT staff at BTM and West End Diving!
4) Everyone, and I mean everyone, was nothing but fun, polite, and helpful. Being "on my own" for the first time was a little unnerving and this treatment from others, I think, gets to the heart of what I believe I'm going to find as I continue on with SCUBA Diving. During the first "mad dash" to get geared up, I was freaking out. A guy from Michigan who was there with his son, helped me get my gear on, checked my gear, and quite frankly made me feel comfortable and relaxed....If you read this you know who you are and I can't THANK YOU enough!
To sum it up, this "(life) experience" was one of the most fun things I've encountered in a long, long time! I now have 8 dives (or is it 10, back to the books, I should have studied harder)...and ready for more!
My hats off to everyone, the staff and divers alike. To all of you, THANKS. I'll be there to sweep the chips next year!
Sincerley,
Tim K.
