Scuba diver dies while exploring popular shipwreck, a third tragedy in the Florida Keys
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While it's true that you can hang out in one area at 80-90 ft, the Spiegel Grove is huge, and it's tempting to want to swim somewhere (and back). One really needs to have a plan. "Be back at the boat with 500 psi" is difficult to achieve on the fly on such a large, tempting wreck. I dove it a couple of times on a single (rental Al 80), and after the last one I decided that just doesn't give me enough gas. I use the Rock Bottom or Minimum Gas method, which is pretty conservative. For me, the Spiegel means I need a big tank (or tanks) and a real plan. Also, the unpredictable current can throw a wrench into a plan, so that should be taken into account.
There is plenty for a few dives without penetrating. Plus another dive or two if you go into the swim throughes like to see Snoopy. Probably dozens of dives if you are penetrating as a tech diver.
If you stick to the Super Structure they cut that thing up pretty well to make most of it classified as a swim through, at least for the top two decks (O-2 and O-3 IIRC). Though the middle deck (O-2 IIRC) is more sketchy and that is where the Snoopy is, because the when you are in the hallway you have to make it to an outer compartment where they made the cut outs. While the top deck is a little safer as you have the cut outs in the overhead.
@Capt Jim Wyatt Knows the wreck pretty well having served on it in addition to diving it as a pro. So he might to be able to correct any errors, as I am going on memory it has been a couple of years since I've hit the SG.
If you stick to the Super Structure they cut that thing up pretty well to make most of it classified as a swim through, at least for the top two decks (O-2 and O-3 IIRC). Though the middle deck (O-2 IIRC) is more sketchy and that is where the Snoopy is, because the when you are in the hallway you have to make it to an outer compartment where they made the cut outs. While the top deck is a little safer as you have the cut outs in the overhead.
@Capt Jim Wyatt Knows the wreck pretty well having served on it in addition to diving it as a pro. So he might to be able to correct any errors, as I am going on memory it has been a couple of years since I've hit the SG.
The instructor (Assistant Professor) of my univ course gave students the option of receiving either a NAUI card, YMCA card, or PADI card (or any two or all three!).
rx7diver
TravelGas
Contributor
I think you are correct and yes I too used tables during that class. Computers weren't a thing.
TravelGas
Contributor
Yes, the Orca PDC became available here (central MO) a couple of years later. Crazy price when introduced, IIRC.
ETA: Most of the certies opted for the NAUI card--because reputation/status.
rx7diver
TravelGas
Contributor
There was still ice on the lake I got certified on in early May since that was the coldest snowiest Winter in quite awhile. I wore a 7mm wetsuit and the water was in the 40s, it was crazy. We just had gauges and tables at that time.
We are derailing the thread a bit...
When I got my YMCA Card (used USN tables for class), there was an option to pay a small fee and get a CMAS card. I was a broke college student, and didn't know it could have been a cool option to get. They ceased the cross-over when the YMCA program went under..
Back to the thread at hand...
When I got my YMCA Card (used USN tables for class), there was an option to pay a small fee and get a CMAS card. I was a broke college student, and didn't know it could have been a cool option to get. They ceased the cross-over when the YMCA program went under..
Back to the thread at hand...
wgw04024
Contributor
Snoopy was far more confined than I expected when I went through it. Definitely switched into on point mode real fast for a bit.
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