Spiegel Grove - Need Advice

[detroit diver]

Don't even think twice about calling this dive if you feel you need to. Even though you're with a DM and an experienced buddy, the bottom line is that this has to be within your comfort zone. And sometimes the SG is not within a lot of folks comfort zone.

I hope your dive goes well, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

 

[Boatlawyer]

Howard- Thanks for the follow up and the video! I didn't think you were trying to scare me.

Ron- Thanks for the tips. I guess there is no end to the combinations of seas/currents one can experience on that dive. I know you are right about sticking to the basics.

DD- I hear you on the calling of the dive if uncomfortable. I have been on 30' dives where someone aborted their dive on the descent, if I'm not mistaken, because of rain. Oh and thanks for the birthday wishes.

 

[packman]

I hope you dive goes well with lots of vis and no current, BL. I'm planning on doing the SG in Feb and am pumped about it.

 

[Solitude Diver]

I doesn't look like you have time to get a dive in between now and then, but as you have only 24 dives in within the last year and a half, and have never been deeper than 75', and you will (and apparently do) have some anxiety, you are most likely going to feel some narcosis, assuming you will go over 100 ft. This is not intended to worry you, but just to prepare you.

My wife has about the same amount of dives (most within the last 6 months) and had been to 80 ft a few times with no problem. I took her to 105 ft, and from about 90 ft on she was hit pretty hard with narcosis. She actually rolled onto back on bottom with arms and legs flailing in the air trying to right herself. She said she was laughing the whole time, but I can tell you I wasn't. I had to grab her and swim her to 80 ft as I thought she was panicking. (Apparently it was just me that was).

Again this is not intended to increase anxieties, but no one has mentioned this probability yet. You will likely be in good hands with your DM and brother, but it would help if you had the chance to get a deeper dive (maybe 90-100 feet) in between now and then. It would also probably help reduce anxieties for the Saturday dive.

If your not already Nitrox certified, another thing that would help (again time frame is pretty short to pull it off) is if you signed up for a Nitrox class, (you could probably do one while doing your wreck dive) then you could use the maximum O2 mix for your depth, and therefore reduce the (equivalent) narcotic depth. Using a 32% mix at 110 feet is similar to diving on air at 90 feet. This would also allow you more bottom time to enjoy the dive. The difference between 90 ft and 110 ft is 25 min. vs. 16 min (respectively). You'd probably want to start reading the (short) book now, and do any necessary book work before you showed up. I don't know if AOW is a pre-requisite or not.The (PADI) course is very easy and short. Just a thought.

Hope I didn't increase the anxieties.

Have a FUN and SAFE dive.

-Steve

PS. Happy Birthday :10:

 

[Boatlawyer]

Thanks Steve.

I guess it's all in the wording. One person's anxiety is another's healthy concern. I greatly appreciate the information. And narcosis is on my list of "awareness" concerns. Even if I had time to get nitrox certified, my brother doesn't, and the other two divers with the DM are unlikely to have nitrox.

I have read the Deep Diving section of my AOW book. From reading here and elsewhere online, my present concerns are 1) current, 2) temperature 3) narcosis and 4) fishing line.

Aside from my dive gear, I am carrying a small dive light, small slate, sausage/whistle, and scissors. I will wear a shorty with gloves, booties and a hood.

I'm also trying to commit the topside plan to memory so I can keep my orientation. I will make a note to be mindful of narcosis starting at 85 feet.

Thanks again.

 

[Solitude Diver]

Sound like you’ve thought it through pretty well.

The anxiety I am speaking of (aside from your reasonable “healthy concerns”) is more of the anxiety one feels just before diving, in a new environment, or when slightly exceeding their previous experience. It happens to (I assume) everyone. Your hear rate and blood pressure increase, and breaths get shallower and quicker. Not a serious problem in itself, as it is manageable if one just remembers to slow your breathing and take deeper longer breaths. This will help reduce and control narcosis as well. (As well as conserve air consumption). I get anxieties anytime I plan on diving at over 120 feet, or when going into wrecks. But…..I wouldn’t trade those dives for anything.

I am envious. Many people here where I’m from (Pacific Northwest) don’t even know what a shorty is. And those that use any type of (5-7mm) wet suits are (IMO) warriors. Our water is usually in the 40’s to 50’s all year round. Most have to dive dry.

I don’t know how dark it is where you’re at, when down to 100 ft+. (Probably bright and warm)? :14: If it is like here and dark, you may consider a back up light so you can still see if your battery goes dead or bulb quits. (“Stuff” happens). I’ve had two fail on the same dive before and fortunately had a third.

Enjoy the trip. Maybe do a post next week on this thread, and let us all know how it went for you.

-Steve

 

[MarkUK]

Yes, do let us know how you get on – it is always nice to hear new, or relatively new, divers and their first experiences. Reminds us what it is like!

Don't worry about light levels on the Grove – it isn't going to be dark down on the wreck where you are going and, as you aren't going to be doing any penetration, no worries there either. Take the torch if you feel more comfortable with it, but you aren't really going to need it.

It sounds like you are doing a pleasure dive as well, so as an OW diver being guided by a DM, I don't imagine they will take you any deeper than the top of the superstructure, which should keep you in the 70-85ft range, so hopefully narcosis won't be a problem. Most people tend to hit it after 100ft, but everyone is different – a friend of mine used to get giddy at 60ft! Whatever, you aren't going to get major affects at the depth you are going to, it is more going to be the fact that your reg will want to drop out of your mouth because you will be gobsmacked at the sheer size of the ship!

Have fun, and enjoy your birthday dive!

Mark

 

[Boatlawyer]

Don't worry about light levels on the Grove – it isn't going to be dark down on the wreck where you are going and, as you aren't going to be doing any penetration, no worries there either. Take the torch if you feel more comfortable with it, but you aren't really going to need it.

To tell the truth, the light was not really for under the water. Rest assured the only thing I'll be penetrating on that day is a giant ice cold grey goose martini with a twist... after I'm back on land.

In the parade of horribles, sorry, I meant "healthy concerns," going through my head, I figured if I got swept away by current, and left by the boat, then I'd have a signal light when it got dark, along with said whistle and signal sausage.

Thanks again for the encouragement. The weather is clearing and I am getting excited!

 

[KeyLargoBrent]

your dive going well ahead of time. There is a brief discussion of pre-dive visualization in the Peak Performance Bouyancy chapter of your book. Read that chapter.

You're likely to have some current, so listen attentively to the predive briefing, as an effective procedure for making the best of that day's conditions will be outlined. If possible, let the other divers on the boat go in first. Make sure that you and your team are completely prepared prior to entering the water.

Picture yourself as calm and completely comfortable as you execute a perfect entry, and skillfully utilize the lines to work your way to the mooring ball and on down to the wreck. You are relaxed and confident. Your breathing is slow and deep. You are streamlined and completely aware of your surroundings. You are one with the ocean. Enjoy!

 

[Boatlawyer]

Brent, honey chile, I am all over the visualization. I guess this is where legal training AND Yoga helps. Thanks for validating that approach! I layed in bed last night and this morning going over the way I thought it should go. From when to rig and put on wetsuit, to giant stride in seeing myself holding mask and weight belt, feeling the cold water, popping up and signaling ok, making way to granny line, pulling forward. First did it thinking of calm water, then tried to see the more likely chop. Once I got to the drop line I felt the typical calm of being underwater, but tried to think about how that would feel with a current, remembering to clear early ears and often and relieve mask squeeze at the same time, as I make my way down the line. Feeling pretty relaxed today, kind of like I remember feeling before an exam that I had studied for.

Thanks for your help.

P.S. When's your next AOW class?