We are now 5 days out so here are the official dive plans for Saturday Feb 10th.
Of course if you and your buddy want to do something different that's fine.
It looks like we are going to have a mix of divers with varying degrees of training and experience. Yes, it IS going to be cold. Some of us like it cold. Others have never experienced cold. Still others just want to get wet.
In any case, First priority of the day is Safety. Our plan is to make 3 dives with longer than average surface intervals to give us time to warm up and get to know each other.
Clay & I spoke yesterday and agreed that in the interest of safety we should have two(2) dive profiles for dive #1. Profile 1 will be for the more experienced divers and will follow a faster pace (hit the water and go). Profile 2 will be for Novice and Newbies and will follow a more relaxed pace (hang out on the decks for a few minutes, check buoyancy, stay close to entry point). Both profiles for dive #1 are setup for the same entry times and dives times so that we can complete the remaining dives as a group (for those that survive the first one). One of us will act as guide for each group. Since I have had my share of deep diving this week while in Sunny San Diego, I will be happy to take the Novice group and Clay will go with the advanced group.
Location: Alabama Blue Water Aventures - Pelham, AL
Overall Objective: Safe & Fun Diving for Everyone
Arrival Time: 9:00 AM Sharp - Sign Release Form, Setup Gear, Suit Up
Expected Conditions: Air: 32F-52F, Water: 52F-54F, Partly Cloudy 10% Rain
Exposure Protection:
Ideal - Dry Suit
Recommended - 7mm w/ Hood, Gloves, Booties
Marginal - 5mm w/ Core Warmer or Hooded Vest or other combination of layering
Unacceptable - 3mm or less, Not Wearing Hood, Gloves or Booties
Dive #1 - Profile 1 - Advanced
Objective: Dive to Steel Box at 80', School Bus @ 72', Sailboat @ 65'
Entry Time: 10:30 AM
Entry Point: East Deck (left side)
Turn Around PSI: 2000
Max Depth: 80'
Dive Time: 28 Minutes (air allowing)
Descent: Descend to 20' Deck, Signal OK, Descend down line and proceed directly to Steel Box following lines past Sailboat & Schoolbus. Note: Do not stop at Sailboat or Bus on swim out.
Return: Follow Line back to School Bus, Continue Following Line back to Sailboat, Follow Line from Sailboat back to Ascent Line
Ascent: Ascend on line to 20' Deck, Complete a 3 minute safety stop then ascend to 10' Deck
Exit: East Deck
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Dive #1 - Profile 2 - Novice
Objective: Explore Firetruck @ 38', Camper & Boats
Entry Time: 10:30 AM
Entry Point: West Deck (right side)
Turn Around PSI: 2000
Max Depth: 50'
Dive Time: 30 Minutes (air allowing)
Descent: Descend to 10' Deck, Signal Ok, Swim Out and Descend to 20' Deck (use descent line if desired), Spend a few minutes, play with buoyancy, make sure Everyone is OK, Descend off deck and swim west to explore firetruck & 38', Swim to Camper
Return: Return along same route to 20' Deck
Ascent: Ascend to 20' Deck, Complete 3 Minute Safety Stop, Ascend to 10' Deck
Exit: West Deck
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SURFACE INTERVAL: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
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Dive #2 - Everyone
Objective: Swim to West Wall & Back, Past Firetruck, Thru Brim Beds
Entry Time: 12:30 PM
Entry Point: West Deck (right side)
Turn Around PSI: 2000
Max Depth: 50'
Dive Time: 33 Minutes (air allowing)
Descent: Descend to 10' Deck, Swim Out and Descend to 20' Deck, Make sure you and your buddy are OK, Descend off deck to 35'-40'
Note: Swim west along wall Thru the Brim Beds until turn around pressure is reached
Return: Turn around and follow wall back to Deck at 20'
Ascent: Ascend to 20' Deck, Complete 3 Minute Safety Stop, Ascend to 10' Deck
Exit: West Deck
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SURFACE INTERVAL: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
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Dive #3 - Everyone
Objective: Swim From East Deck, around Wall to West Deck & Return
Entry Time: 2:30 PM
Entry Point: East Deck (left side)
Turn Around PSI: 2000
Max Depth: 50'
Dive Time: 30 Minutes (air allowing)
Descent: Descend to 10' Deck, Swim Out and Descend to 20' Deck, Make sure you and your buddy are OK, Descend off deck to 35'-40'
Note: Swim west along wall, follow wall until you reach the West Deck, you will find several submerged objects including another firetruck as you get close to the West Deck.
Return: Turn around and follow wall back to East Deck at 20'
Ascent: Ascend to 20' Deck, Complete 3 Minute Safety Stop, Ascend to 10' Deck
Exit: East Deck
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3:00 PM - Pack up & Head for Clay's house
I know we are all looking forward to meeting each other and having a great time!
Even if you don't plan to dive, please come anyway. Those who are wet can use the surface support and this is a great opportunity to meet a lot of the Deep Dixie gang.
See you at 9:00 AM sharp!