I've been trying to add detail to my old dive logs. My original logbook had enough room for about 1 sentence in the "notes" section. I've started using Subsurface, which I suppose may have unlimited notes, and have been going back to my old logs and adding where I can remember. So I've started reminiscing....
I'm not talking about the first time you breathed scuba in a pool, that doesn't really count. I'm talking about the first dive that made an impression....
In 1985...my college roommate and I drove all night from Atlanta to Key Largo (in a Honda civic) to complete our checkout dives at Pennekamp. Our initial dive was in the lagoon (that doesn't count as the first dive) and was poor visibility and about 30' deep. The dive master (named Al) helped us with our weights. Mine was zero because I had no body fat and was diving with a borrowed Scubapro Mark 7 (must weigh 3-4 lbs), aged horsecollar, 1 second stage regulator, and twin 40 cubic foot steel tanks. The only thing I owned was my mask, fin + booties and snorkel. This borrowed stuff was so old, when I got on the dive boat the crew were all checking it out. I distinctly remember one guy looking at it and quietly saying "oh my God".
We went out on a cattle boat out to French Reef. I remember waiting my turn to back roll into the water with the nauseating diesel fumes floating around us pretty thickly...bleh. At this point I need to mention I am red/green colorblind. Not completely, but enough that I always fail the little dot tests, so colors are much more vibrant to you than me. After my back roll I oriented myself in the water and the bubbles cleared. It was a sunny day and I remember thinking I had never seen anything with such beautiful coloring. I could see all these bright colored fish, corals, etc. It was one of the most awe inspiring sights I had ever seen, and remains so in my memory. We dove for a few days, loaded up the Honda and drove home. We kept up a trip or two a year, but then life got in the way. Now my son is my dive buddy and I have a renewed interest. We're having fun.
I'm not talking about the first time you breathed scuba in a pool, that doesn't really count. I'm talking about the first dive that made an impression....
In 1985...my college roommate and I drove all night from Atlanta to Key Largo (in a Honda civic) to complete our checkout dives at Pennekamp. Our initial dive was in the lagoon (that doesn't count as the first dive) and was poor visibility and about 30' deep. The dive master (named Al) helped us with our weights. Mine was zero because I had no body fat and was diving with a borrowed Scubapro Mark 7 (must weigh 3-4 lbs), aged horsecollar, 1 second stage regulator, and twin 40 cubic foot steel tanks. The only thing I owned was my mask, fin + booties and snorkel. This borrowed stuff was so old, when I got on the dive boat the crew were all checking it out. I distinctly remember one guy looking at it and quietly saying "oh my God".
We went out on a cattle boat out to French Reef. I remember waiting my turn to back roll into the water with the nauseating diesel fumes floating around us pretty thickly...bleh. At this point I need to mention I am red/green colorblind. Not completely, but enough that I always fail the little dot tests, so colors are much more vibrant to you than me. After my back roll I oriented myself in the water and the bubbles cleared. It was a sunny day and I remember thinking I had never seen anything with such beautiful coloring. I could see all these bright colored fish, corals, etc. It was one of the most awe inspiring sights I had ever seen, and remains so in my memory. We dove for a few days, loaded up the Honda and drove home. We kept up a trip or two a year, but then life got in the way. Now my son is my dive buddy and I have a renewed interest. We're having fun.