First Spiegel Grove dives and lessons learned

[gamon]

The many times I’ve dove the Grove, I bring my own cylinders. LP 85’s with Cave Fills to 4,000 psi. It’s only an 8 hour drive for me in North Florida.

I could say making that sort of trip if you're doing a bunch of dives or other stuff while you're there and making it at least an overnite excursion. But just for a couple of dives maybe 40 minutes each.. no thanks.

 

[LFMarm]

The crew did ask me if I wanted to go solo, but the first follow-up question was "do you have a redundant air supply?" and that was a no. In hindsight, obviously, it would've been quite a mistake to go solo (although I probably would've stayed closer to the downline just out of caution).

Very good decision. Going solo requires much more than a redundant gas supply. I would highly recommend a solo class with a skilled instructor that regularly tech dives. You will learn a lot that will be helpful for your buddy dives as well.

 

[LFMarm]

I never saw a need to complicate things with a jon line and never even heard of a garvin hook until you mentioned it.

I also like to avoid using unnecessary gear but there are very good reasons for jon lines. For example, for deco dives in strong currents it's quite common to use jon lines. It not only makes it easier to fit many divers staying at the same stop but it also makes it safer (almost impossible to get separated from the line).

 

[gamon]

For example, for deco dives in strong currents it's quite common to use jon lines.

I'm speaking from the perspective of a recreational diver who doesn't spend more than 3 minutes on the line.

 

[Allen-1]

I'm speaking from the perspective of a recreational diver who doesn't spend more than 3 minutes on the line.

 

[Nemrod]

I'm speaking from the perspective of a recreational diver who doesn't spend more than 3 minutes on the line.

That dive will probably give a 5 minute safety stop for a Shearwater on the Adaptive setting. It can be quite a cluster around twenty feet.

 

[happy-diver]

Yeah on the boat the groups of 2 or 3 deeper divers are like separate countries with different languages
But with sign language you would imagine they could communicate with each other and stagger jumps

 

[arkyologist]

Spiegel Grove was dives 526 and 527 for me. I'm now at nearly 1000. It remains the most disconcerting dive I've done because of the insanely strong currents. I've probably dived in equal if not stronger currents, but always as a drift, never up and down and line. Not a site to be taken lightly in my opinion.

I just finished a week of diving with Rainbow Reef. I was scheduled for 4 days with morning dives on the Spiegel and the Duane. Out of the assigned days, three dives were called off due to currents. On Spiegel and Duane with heavy seas (2-3 feet) We were required to go hand over hand on the surface to get to the descent line. Recommended to not use air, go with a snorkel or surface breath. Not happening for me. On air with partially deflated BC. Once on the descent line, descent made. I was holding on for dear life on the descent line with my body 90 degrees off of the line. I used approx 1K of air to get to the deck of the ship. Then got to swim against the current. Due to the combination of available air and NDL, I may have had an average of 16 minutes on the ships. Same issue on ascent. Of the 8 morning dives scheduled for Spiegel or Duane, 3 dives had to be rescheduled due to strong currents Of the 5 dives on Spiegel and Duane, 3 dives were in heavy seas and strong currents, making bottom time on the deck very short. One dive each on Duane and Spiegel were fun dives with light seas and light current with great visibility. With only 2 out of 8 dives providing good visibilty and minimal body strain, It seems that the Spiegel and the Duane are hit and miss for having an enjoyable dive.

 

[Nemrod]

All of those wrecks can have very strong current. You must traverse a fixed mooring line. These dives can be a bit challenging. This due to depth, the sheer size of the wrecks and the current and the potential to accidentally get too deep or too far from your mooring line for a safe return (and have to use another mooring ball).

Me (selfie) with my Phoenix Royal Aquamaster on the Spiegel:



Same trip I think, the Vandie:

 

[LFMarm]

It seems that the Spiegel and the Duane are hit and miss for having an enjoyable dive.

Are weather conditions unpredictable throughout the year, or are there certain periods when the weather is generally milder?