Pt. Lobos, 3-24-09

[mikemill]

Posting this here while I'm still awake and brain is somewhat functioning.

Divers:
Mike Guerrero [Birthday Boy!!!]
Mike Miller (mikemill)
Devin (deltaVPR)
Don (ae3753)

Dive 1:
44 minutes, 65 fsw, avg 37 fsw, 50 degrees on the surface, 48 degrees below 30 feet

This was my first time being to Pt Lobos. Don gave a really good dive plan and led us to Hole in the Wall. This was also the first time I felt cold and I don't mean chilly, I mean COLD. It surprised me how much effect a drop of 6 degrees can make and how much it effected me. Mentally I felt kinda sluggish (no cracks ) when I got cold.

It was great having Don and Devin leading us around. We had a few moments of trying to figure out hand signals but we were able to stick to the plan. Poor Mike G had his mask keep flooding on him and had to signal for some help. We got it fixed up and were able to complete the rest of the swim in and safety stop.

Dive 2:
45 minutes, 63 fsw, avg 33 fsw, same temps.

Don again gave a good dive plan that took into account things we learned on the first dive (in particular the hand signals). I entered the water with my hood down (as I usually do), and after getting the fins on and getting into deep water I instantly started yelling "COLD!" as the water hit my head which of course got some laughs from the drysuit guys

This dive we went out to west side of middle reef, followed it North to the end. As per the dive plan we did a gas check and then proceeded around the end of the reef. At turn around pressure we just went up and over the reef and then followed the channel back in. No fun equipment problems on this dive.

General impressions: COLD. F-ING COLD!. I loved the rock and coral formations. The kelp that were only a few feet tall were cool. I was surprised about how large some of the sea anemones were. Was disappointed the harbor seals that we saw on the surface didn't want to play, but maybe that is for the best. There was a bit of a surge but I got used to it after a little bit. This was also my first OW dive using HP 100s. I freaking love them. They only hold a little bit more than the LP 95s I was using but they weight 10 lbs less and have almost the exact same buoyancy characteristics.

The weather was really nice which of course brought out all the painters and the lot filled up (after we all got there). Oh and driving CA 156 when tired is not the best idea... too boring.

Pictures when I get them done.

 

[Hepcat62]

I think the Drysuit Manufacturers of America just counted another future sale...

 

[mikemill]

IIRC the one I'm looking at is Canadian (Oh the horror!)

 

[mikeguerrero]

I had a hair raising experience today at Lobos. I changed out straps on my Atomic subframe mask to the slap strap.

I was told they are more sturdy and have a lesser degree of failure over standard strap.

So I make the adjustments at home and when I get it in the water I feel it's too lose, but I figured shallow dive not a problem I'll be okay.

Nope, the entire dive I am clearing my mask and getting my eyes stung. I'm so frustrated but continue to dive hoping it will end.

When Mike Mill gave the signal to head back I was relieved. As we got to worm hole my mask starts to fill up completely.

I try to stabalize myself on a kelp, holding it with my left arm as I try to clear it with my right hand.

I was fighting hard with my ascent since I was returning to shallow water and the kelp was helping me from going up.

As I lose complete vision of my right eye, Mike Mill see's me waving my arms. He moves his camera thinking I want a picture.

However, he then sees that I'm not acting normal; I'm in a very odd posture.

He rushes over and as he brings the other two divers, Don and Devin, my left eye then floods and I'm legally blind in the ocean.

Okay, no problem I've done drills on this before so I should be okay?

I attempt to clear and clear and clear and nothing, I start to feel panic in my blood.

As I give in to panic, I start forgeting how to clear, I'm hyperventilating and rapidily sucking down my gas which was at 700 PSI prior to losing sight.

I suck in air and sea water with every other breath, I want to bolt to the surface which is 30 feet, I resist but I cannot any longer.

I make out a figure that appears to be Mike Mill, he sees that I cannot clear and signals, I can take you up.

I am about to accept his proposal but at that moment Don turns to me and says, No, you cannot go to the surface.

He pushes and secures me to the ground with his weight, he dives doubles so boy do I feel pinned to the bottom.

At that moment I now have two hands to work with my mask. I attempt to clear and still no luck, I can now hear my computer screaming at me with alarms, and can only assume I am running dangerously low on air.

I then do a full mask removal and try to reposition it back on my face, but still I cannot clear it, the seawater stays there.

Don then examines my face and sees that my mask is not sealed at the bottom of my nose, he shifts my mask down and the water drops in less than 4 secs.

I can remember seeing the face of an Angel, when I look at Don, seriously I was so happy he assisted me in this manner.

I am also very thankful for the other divers for rushing to my aid and helping me out.

I will never ever forget this dive.

Thanks guys, I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present, I was saved by my diving friends...

MG

 

[deltaVPR]

Mike i would like to adress your cold water problem..see below.

Other than that good dives today guys.

-Devin

 

[bbianchi]

Mike, is it that perhaps this current mask doesn't fit your face correctly? I remember from your post about your boat trips that you also were having to let go of the anchor line to clear your mask. I know I have ended up (luckliy) only having to go through one mask prior to the style I dive now, and it fits so well I have two... just in case. If you put your mask up against your face w/out the straps and inhale does it easily stick to your face with preferably no air leaking in?

 

[mikemill]

Ok went through the pics and meh. Keeping about 1/3 of them but none of them really jumped out to me. I'll review them again later in the week and maybe I'll be able to find the gems. /shrugs

Picasa Web Albums - Mike - Point Lobos 3...

Mike i would like to adress your cold water problem..see below.

Other than that good dives today guys.

-Devin

Yeah but you are still wearing a dry suit

 

[davidbaraff]

I have a few questions about this (and i do mean questions, i'm not trying to assert something in a questioning way).
>> I suck in air and sea water with every other breath, I want to bolt to the surface which is 30 feet, I resist but I cannot any longer. <<

If it's only 30 feet up, and you didn't feel like you had air to fool around, why not just pull the mask off completely, open your eyes and just ascend slowly? Would the vision be too poor to see your computer? (I've never pulled my mask off and opened my eyes in open water as I wear contacts. In an emergency, I would.)

>>> I am about to accept his proposal but at that moment Don turns to me and says, No, you cannot go to the surface. <<<
Why not? If you were only 30 feet down, why couldn't he escort you up?
[you didn't say if this was before/after a SS, and i don't know depth/duration.]

>>>At that moment I now have two hands to work with my mask. I attempt to clear and still no luck, I can now hear my computer screaming at me with alarms, and can only assume I am running dangerously low on air. <<<

Did you think that if you were low on air, someone would give you their alternate? (I've never been in a panic situation; it's easy to assume that while reading, but i'm sure it's different when its you.)


I just like to learn from other situations *before* they might happen to me -- anyway, just want to know why ascending without a mask wouldn't be possible and/or why your buddies felt it was more important to do that first. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[mikemill]

Oh forgot to tell the fun post dive story.

Awhile ago I ordered Amazon.com: GE Security 001859 AccessPoint Stor-A-Key Locking Key Case, Gray: Home Improvement and I found I couldn't put my car key in there. But I did figure out that I can take the remote entry part out of the key and put that in the lock box. So today I finally decided to give it a try. Well there weren't any good spots to put the magnet on the outside of the car. So I used the metal plate it comes with and put it on my front license plate (lock box on the front and the metal plate behind it). Well I never did lock my car and I forgot about it.

As I'm approaching the rest area on I-5 right before the 580 split I remembered about it. I decided to stop for a stretch at the rest area and I checked the front license plate and the lock box is still there and in pretty much the exact position I put it. It had traveled about 130 miles and had speeds over 80 mph at times.

 

[mikeguerrero]

Here are just three pics I took: