Denise and Kevin Go Sidemount at NSS CDS Social

[GLENFWB]

Just a short report so I can post a few pictures from Saturday's NSS CDS social and Cave Adventurers Customer Appreciation Day. The National Speleological Society Cave Diving Section did a social at Blue Springs Park in Marianna, Florida on Saturday. There was some great BBQ, awesome dives, and good information provided.

Two ScubabBoard members, Denise and Kevin, participated in the Sidemount training, and they did their first dive in sidemount. I went along and took some pictures. I have to say they both did awesome for their first time in sidemount, in spite of using some one else's equipment.

Here are Kevin's first few minutes in sidemount....looks GREAT!

Here is Denise looking just as good.

Here are some random shots:

Denise

Kevin and I made dive when we first got there. We geared up, and I brought my camera so I could get a picture of chicken rock We made it back to chicken rock, where Kevin provided the signal for chicken rock...apparently the light I saw shaking was Kevin flapping his arms giving the chicken signal. We made it back to the first break down, and then headed back for a leisurely swim out of JB.

Second dive of the day was when Denise and Kevin were testing out the sidemount rigs. We stayed in the upper part of the cave since they were using new equipment. I took pictures of them while they were testing out their new toys.

Our last dive of the day I was trying out a pair of HP100's that Ed let me borrow. Denise led the dive, I was second, and Kevin was last. After a long day, and a lot of eating we made a nice, leisurely dive. I was diving on tanks with a short fill, so we turned again at the first breakdown at about 450p.

Let me just say, sidemounting HP100's was awesome! I see a pair of these tanks in my immediate future! I have a few more pictures to post.....

 

[cmufieldhockey8]

Pictures look beautiful Glen! The divers look good in the sm too

 

[msuman]

Cool!

Sidemount set-up looks real interesting to me. How much training is required for this? Is it used mainly for cave diving or do very many rec. divers use this setup aswell?

Didnt mean to hi-jack the thread, just had a few Q's.

 

[cmufieldhockey8]

There are sidemount classes available and some people get their guidance from a mentor. It definitely originated with cave divers and I do know of some cave divers diving sidemount in the ocean. However I have avoided doing this because of the difficulty I'd assume I'd have putting my gear on in the water if the seas were rough.

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

Glen I had a blast... Denise great to have you join us there.. Great pics Glen. It was a neat experience and I can see new gear coming soon.. Those pics are incredible, I did not feel that comfy to be honest, I think Glen got a lucky shot of me there LOL..

 

[GLENFWB]

Here is the link to the NSS CDS website with a lot more pictures.

Jackson Blue Social 2009 - a set on Flickr

I have to mention the BBQ grill. I know, what's the big deal about a grill. It was smoking away and then I noticed the name on the grill!

We all started wondering just exactly what they were using to smoke the meat....and what exactly were we having to eat? The hamburgers and hot dogs were good!

I hauled my camera all the way to chicken rock, just to make sure I could get a picture....to prove I saw it this time!

Harry took a picture of me.

Kevin coming back up through the chimney in JB

 

[GLENFWB]

Well if you felt like you were leaning to one side, that can make you feel a little weird. But, when you get your Nomad....it will be much better....everything except your checkbook!

Glen I had a blast... Denise great to have you join us there.. Great pics Glen. It was a neat experience and I can see new gear coming soon.. Those pics are incredible, I did not feel that comfy to be honest, I think Glen got a lucky shot of me there LOL..

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

Well if you felt like you were leaning to one side, that can make you feel a little weird. But, when you get your Nomad....it will be much better....everything except your checkbook!

I am looking at that now .. And yep its gonna bite a little.

 

[GLENFWB]

Only problem was....I didn't get a picture of a Dive Chick coming out of Young Siphon!

Pictures look beautiful Glen! The divers look good in the sm too

 

[denisegg]

Glen I had a blast... Denise great to have you join us there.. Great pics Glen. It was a neat experience and I can see new gear coming soon.. Those pics are incredible, I did not feel that comfy to be honest, I think Glen got a lucky shot of me there LOL..

I had a blast too Kevin! Glen, thanks for the dives and the pics. They are awesome as usual. On the first dive I opted to play with the dry suit and doubles in the basin rather than going into the cave. I am still not trimming out like I want to in the drysuit. On the second dive we had a briefing about sidemount and then we were suited up and made a nice leisurely dive with a guide. I donned my 7ml wetsuit for this because I feel that I should have several more dives with it before entering an overhead environment. I was pleasantly surprised that the sidemount rig felt so balanced and was easy to swim. The flow was down at JB and I had one of my best sac rates on this dive. Maybe sidemount is just meant to be for me

I also enjoyed the third dive with Glen and Kevin and after lugging the doubles on my back again for this dive the sidemount looked even sweeter.

Thanks Edd and everyone else who joined in to make this a wonderful day.