kevindwhite
Contributor
Looks like I will be headed out on my first kelp dive with Truth Aquatics 10/12-10/16. This will be my first cold water, first CA, first live aboard, and first Truth Aquatics dive. I am looking any and all advice.
First Kelp Dive
- Thread starter kevindwhite
- Start date
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Selchie in LB
Contributor
Have fun. Did I mention have fun?
I am not familiar with that boat and not done a live aboard so I cannot offer any advice on that. I can tell you that the kelp forests are amazing. You will want at the minimum a 7mm wetsuit with hood, gloves and boots. It's warmed up to about 57 F in So Cal at 40-50 feet. Below the thermocline it's a balmy 52 F.
I am not familiar with that boat and not done a live aboard so I cannot offer any advice on that. I can tell you that the kelp forests are amazing. You will want at the minimum a 7mm wetsuit with hood, gloves and boots. It's warmed up to about 57 F in So Cal at 40-50 feet. Below the thermocline it's a balmy 52 F.
If you actually end up diving in/around kelp, do your dive on the bottom between the stalks. When you are ready to surface it is best to swim away from the kelp patch where there is a clear surface to ascend to.
If you must surface in the kelp patch, gently push the kelp away as you ascend and do so on the surface. Swimming on the surface will require a crawling technique, where you reach out in front of you and push the kelp down and under as you move forward. Swimming on your back will not work.
Also, kelp is easy to break if you bend it over on it self. So if you or the poor bas***d you are diving with gets tangled, just bend over the stalk and it will snap. No need to saw on it with a knife.
If you must surface in the kelp patch, gently push the kelp away as you ascend and do so on the surface. Swimming on the surface will require a crawling technique, where you reach out in front of you and push the kelp down and under as you move forward. Swimming on your back will not work.
Also, kelp is easy to break if you bend it over on it self. So if you or the poor bas***d you are diving with gets tangled, just bend over the stalk and it will snap. No need to saw on it with a knife.
2ndjetty
Contributor
You'll have a great time! To add to what everyone else said, keep your gear streamlined - stuff like a knife on the outside of your leg might get caught, which is mostly just annoying. Also, a sea lion sneaking up and nibbling your fin is ok - he/she just wants to play! :- )
OP
kevindwhite
Contributor
when swimming in line with the" poor bas***d you are diving with" , looked back from time to time. Make sure before the dive he'd do the same.
GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
Bring a small to medium sized light to check out all the critters down in the rocks under and around the kelp. It is easy to get caught up looking at all the fish swimming in the kelp and not see the other creatures on the bottom since the natural light is subdued. The kelp forest are incredible ecosystems.
Also keep in mind California dive boats are essentially dive taxi's with food. They will get you there, give you a little advice and let you dive. They generally do not get in the water with you and guide you, so bring a compass and keep track of where the boat is to avoid that long surface swim back to the boat.
Also keep in mind California dive boats are essentially dive taxi's with food. They will get you there, give you a little advice and let you dive. They generally do not get in the water with you and guide you, so bring a compass and keep track of where the boat is to avoid that long surface swim back to the boat.
fnfalman
Contributor
Cali boat diving is definitely not like typical vacation spot diving. Nobody is going to be there to hold your hands, so if you're not comfortable then you should pay for the services of a dive master who will accompany you and be your buddy. The regular dive master stays on the boat to look out for distressed diver.
Don't panick in the kelps. Don't twist and turn in the kelp, especially at the surface of the water where they all clump together. Swim UNDER the kelps, but if you must then swim on the surface ON YOUR BELLY. You can't swim through the kelps on YOUR BACK. Part the kelps with your hands like Moses did with the Red Sea. A quick spread of hands do wonder in clearing the way.
If you get buddied up with a stranger, make sure that stranger understands your needs such as you're a new diver so you need to be checked on often, max depth, turn around gas pressure or time around time, lost buddy procedure, etc.
BTW, when you do your safety stop, try not to hang onto the anchor line and count the seconds. Get to your safety stop depth then swim around, enjoying the 3-5 minutes of safety stop while eyeballing the kelps. Lots of things to see: fish hiding, snails, crabs, other animals clinging to the kelp leaves and stalks.
And drink lots of water before, during and after each dives.
Don't panick in the kelps. Don't twist and turn in the kelp, especially at the surface of the water where they all clump together. Swim UNDER the kelps, but if you must then swim on the surface ON YOUR BELLY. You can't swim through the kelps on YOUR BACK. Part the kelps with your hands like Moses did with the Red Sea. A quick spread of hands do wonder in clearing the way.
If you get buddied up with a stranger, make sure that stranger understands your needs such as you're a new diver so you need to be checked on often, max depth, turn around gas pressure or time around time, lost buddy procedure, etc.
BTW, when you do your safety stop, try not to hang onto the anchor line and count the seconds. Get to your safety stop depth then swim around, enjoying the 3-5 minutes of safety stop while eyeballing the kelps. Lots of things to see: fish hiding, snails, crabs, other animals clinging to the kelp leaves and stalks.
And drink lots of water before, during and after each dives.
OP
kevindwhite
Contributor
cmburch
Contributor
The NorCal section may also be informative on Truth Aquatics Channel Islands Trips and kelp diving. So may consider posting there also.
I mainly freedive kelp and rarely break it on SCUBA or freediving. The general rule when tangled is to stop and figure out what is tangled. Backing up is normally all that is required to loosen the kelp. Thinking about what is getting tangled such as the first stage, snorkel, fin strap buckle, something on chest, etc., then minimize this when swimming through kelp. Deal with individual pieces of kelp not all the strands at once if needing to break or free.
Good advice about not surfacing in heavy mats of kelp and leading with hands if need to surface in kelp. Surface on the edges or if there is an opening that hopefully is easy to surface swim out.
For my AOW on Truth Aquatics we had 2 instructors and a DM. The DM took me spearfishing. The instructors and DM took us and prepared us for our night dive, deep dive, navigation, buoyancy, went over tables, etc.
I can only remember one time when I was too tired to get in when the gate first opened with my wife. I went with a new student weak swimmer who surfaced in a thick mat of kelp and was flopping around under the surface. I had to grab his hand and pull him down then pull to the edge of the kelp. He for some reason did not pay attention when surfacing or communicate what his intentions were. Now that I think of it he may have just got too close to the surface, lost control of his buoyancy, and had no intention of surfacing in kelp. He was twice my age and I do not remember him saying anything about the incident. I made sure to go with my wife if possible after that. She went on all the dives where I sat out some or went in later.
The double bunks are roomier than the singles. Maybe if you get on board the night before when it opens you can grab a double if not too many couples. Or if a girl friend is also on the trip with you. Then just move to a single if need be. I remember some single divers doing this.
I mainly freedive kelp and rarely break it on SCUBA or freediving. The general rule when tangled is to stop and figure out what is tangled. Backing up is normally all that is required to loosen the kelp. Thinking about what is getting tangled such as the first stage, snorkel, fin strap buckle, something on chest, etc., then minimize this when swimming through kelp. Deal with individual pieces of kelp not all the strands at once if needing to break or free.
Good advice about not surfacing in heavy mats of kelp and leading with hands if need to surface in kelp. Surface on the edges or if there is an opening that hopefully is easy to surface swim out.
For my AOW on Truth Aquatics we had 2 instructors and a DM. The DM took me spearfishing. The instructors and DM took us and prepared us for our night dive, deep dive, navigation, buoyancy, went over tables, etc.
I can only remember one time when I was too tired to get in when the gate first opened with my wife. I went with a new student weak swimmer who surfaced in a thick mat of kelp and was flopping around under the surface. I had to grab his hand and pull him down then pull to the edge of the kelp. He for some reason did not pay attention when surfacing or communicate what his intentions were. Now that I think of it he may have just got too close to the surface, lost control of his buoyancy, and had no intention of surfacing in kelp. He was twice my age and I do not remember him saying anything about the incident. I made sure to go with my wife if possible after that. She went on all the dives where I sat out some or went in later.
The double bunks are roomier than the singles. Maybe if you get on board the night before when it opens you can grab a double if not too many couples. Or if a girl friend is also on the trip with you. Then just move to a single if need be. I remember some single divers doing this.
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