N00b diving the flower gardens this weekend - any last minute tips?

[Guba]

I agree with Captain on the drift line (long line trailing a couple hundred feet down-current of the boat)...that's why I described the same thing in post #5. Really, current is the main problem out there. It is not uncommon at all for folks to have to be picked up by the Zodiac carried by both the Fling and Spree. It's also not uncommon for divers to accidentally wind up on the wrong boat. Be CERTAIN you have a motorized chase boat.

 

[texdiveguy]

Kaiser442....looks like a lot of caring divers have given you some wonderful advice.

Do your homework on the boat/crew/gear and history of trips out to the FG's.

I would not second guess your skill/experience level as I have never met you or dove with you, but based on your original posting and bio...'BE CAREFUL' as a newer diver and having been absent from the sport for a bit now as you said. Things can change on these type dives fairly quickly. Buddy up with an experienced diver but stay within your diving comfort zone.

Sunscreen--safety sausage--whistle--mirror or CD.....common sense.

Have fun...and we want a report!!

 

[kmcneer]

yea I cant wait to hear the report....come back safe

 

[Foo]

If you're going down with others who have dove it before, make sure you get a good briefing from them of what everyone's expectations are for things like turnaround time (1/3 air rule, whatever), who is buddying with who, how you're going to plan your navigation, etc. Don't let them say "just follow us, you'll be fine". Make them explain it to your satisfaction before you go under. That's my 0.02.

Two cents? This is million-dollar advice. For any dive.

While reading this thread, I was thinking about how fun it would be to sail down there, do a couple of dives, and go home- what a nice couple of days that should be. I would also be enticed to go, but the main concern that I have with this plan on the sailboat is that I would want to know that I have a very experienced boat captain, preferably one who had made the FG trip before. I've never been there, but from reading about it for a few years now, it seems that the boating and conditions are unpredictable and challenging. I want to know darn well that if I miss the line for some reason, that the captain is capable of picking me up, as well as the vessel. There's a lot of focus on the incredible DM's leading drift dives in Coz- me, I'm more impressed with the guy that has the boat there every time I ascend. :11doh:

Other things of concern are the lack of available medical care if the need arises- is there oxygen on board?

Sounds like Kaiser heeded a lot of the excellent advice given to him on the board by divers who have been there, done that- kudos to you, Kaiser. Some people question but don't follow through. You asked for advice, received it, and acted up on. That's a very important quality in a diver, to always be willing to learn. I would like to dive with you some day.

 

[Guba]

I've been reviewing my FG trips (see what you started?), and a couple of things popped into my head. One thing is the importance of dive planning, and on the FG it's crucial. Obviously this isn't the drift diving you might be used to in Cozumel and other destinations. That boat is moored, and it isn't going anyplace (or shouldn't). If the captain says, "if you come up down current, we'll come and get you with the sailboat", I'd be thinking "thumb the dive--they don't know what they're doing out here". If they have a chase boat, that's a different matter.
In my opinion, the best dive plan out there is "stay in sight of the buckle for the first couple of dives"--as I've posted before, there's plenty to see. However, if one is just determined to venture off, the next best plan is 1/3 tank up-current, turn, hit the buckle again and ascend when down to 700-800 pounds. At least, that works for me--others will suggest ascending with more air, some less. My point is navigation out there can be tricky, and it's usually divers who travel out at right angles that get in trouble with finding the mooring line again. Subsequently, they are forced to come up on their own, and if the current's moving well, they will drift a LONG way during a safe ascent from that depth.
It's 90% in the planning. Know exactly what to expect, and if you have any questions of your dive partners, ASK!
Have fun, take care, and give us a report upon return.

 

[Kaiser442]

Thanks again everyone! I'm all loaded up and ready to head out tonight. The boat is in Sabine Pass (which is about a 5 hour drive from here) - based on that I assume we're going to the East Bank. I printed out the GPS coordinates and grabbed my GPS so I can keep track as we get agonizingly closer and closer

I don't know if they have O2 on board - I do know my buddy is a rescue diver which makes me feel a bit better in general. I have a CO2 tank in my my truck... but that probably wouldn't be too helpful :no :rofl2:

I'll just have to see what the deal is with a pickup boat and other safety issues when I get there and make safety judgments about the dive... I expect if conditions are too bad we'll just skip the diving part. That would be a real bummer - but since I live in Austin now it's not like it would be that big a deal to book a followup Fling/Spree trip to make up for it.

I like the idea of circling (or whatever pattern is appropriate for the currrent) the mooring area to keep close to the boat.

I sure hope I get to see a whale shark...

Random Tip: A beef jerky hot-air style dehydrator works great for rejuvinating dessicant sticks!

Glen

 

[texdiveguy]

Glen....IMO-- if that craft 'does not' have a full bottle of O2 and someone whom is trained to administer it---stay on shore!

I don't know if they have O2 on board...

Glen

 

[Guba]

God bless and keep him safe.

 

[diver 85]

I'd do like the Fling ie tie off a rope from the boat to the mooring line( pull my way down-descend- that away) AND have plenty of (long)tag lines out the back.....also, have the dingy readily available & please not everyone in the water on the dives(leave someone to be a lookout)......If you can read thru the lines, the current(up to 5 KNOTS) can be there in a heartbeat........good luck.....

 

[Foo]

Glen,

I sure hope you get to see a whale shark, too. Be safe, have fun, and listen to TexasDiveGuy, our Great White Bwana. He is not an alarmist, by any means- just a sensible guy.

Hope someone takes pics!