Last weekend, June 26, I and a buddy did a Rescue class through Blue Water Scuba in Tallahassee. The instructor was Nick. After some book review, and missing a few easy questions on the test, we met up on saturday at a local lake, Lost Lake, which didnt look too bad. Unforutnately, you are required to have a permit to dive it now, so we went over to Dog Lake, but it didnt look worth it. Cherokee sink, i was toldm now requires a permit also, which leaves justa otu nowhere to dive in Tallassee anymore. Way to stick it ot us, Man.
Anyway, we instead met up in Panama City, at St Andrews park and planned to do all the drills, then do a dive on the jetties while we were there. Nick had brougth alonh his lovely assitant Leah, who also particiapted in the class, and is quite a cool chick, fyi. We geared up and headed into the 95f degree water in the lagoon, which is 3ft deep most of the way and 10ft near the rocks. We started off with tows, and then did unconcisous diver rescues, paniced divers rescues, throwing floats, etc. Nick was a great instructor and made things fun and educational. Luckily only once did someone almost call 911 becuase we looked like we were drowning.
Everyone did great in the class, and we finsished up in time to hit slack tide and hit the jetties. I towed the flag and we slipped over the rock on the north end of the jetties and swam south. We saw the usual tropicals, grouper, damsel fish, urchins, cucumbers. I even came across to sting rays, which I hadnt seen there before. Viz was about 10-15ft at the start and dropped down to 5ft near the end, where we quit. Max depth was 30ft. Id reccomened this site, just make sure you get there at slack tide and remember that is in the central time zone. Entry is $5, and there is a dive shop on site, and parking not too far from the beach.
I should have some pics as soon as I finish my film roll.
Anyway, we instead met up in Panama City, at St Andrews park and planned to do all the drills, then do a dive on the jetties while we were there. Nick had brougth alonh his lovely assitant Leah, who also particiapted in the class, and is quite a cool chick, fyi. We geared up and headed into the 95f degree water in the lagoon, which is 3ft deep most of the way and 10ft near the rocks. We started off with tows, and then did unconcisous diver rescues, paniced divers rescues, throwing floats, etc. Nick was a great instructor and made things fun and educational. Luckily only once did someone almost call 911 becuase we looked like we were drowning.
Everyone did great in the class, and we finsished up in time to hit slack tide and hit the jetties. I towed the flag and we slipped over the rock on the north end of the jetties and swam south. We saw the usual tropicals, grouper, damsel fish, urchins, cucumbers. I even came across to sting rays, which I hadnt seen there before. Viz was about 10-15ft at the start and dropped down to 5ft near the end, where we quit. Max depth was 30ft. Id reccomened this site, just make sure you get there at slack tide and remember that is in the central time zone. Entry is $5, and there is a dive shop on site, and parking not too far from the beach.
I should have some pics as soon as I finish my film roll.
