Wreckmania #2

[Walter]

A report was just filed on the Diverlink board for one of the dives we'll be making in July. I thought everyone would find it interesting. http://diverlink.com/cgi-bin/anyboard.cgi/forum/?cmd=get&cG=130393234363&zu=313039323436&v=2&gV=0 This dive is our last scheduled dive of the class.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[seaangel]

Walter. that sounds like a great dive. I am looking forward to it.

Net Doc, I like the idea of rattlers, several from my dive shop use a quacker. Frankly my tank banger never really has gotten attention when I tried it. Where can I get a rattler? I am helping my LDS on some of their OW certs as an extra and that sounds like a good investment.

 

[Dee]

Originally posted by TexasMike
Dee...

You flying or driving?

Driving...we like the road trip!

 

[Walter]

Cindy,

Don't buy a rattler, you can make one for a few cents out of scrap PVC pipe and a couple of old marbles. If you want, I'll make one for you.

Everyone,

Reels are used when making penetrations in overhead environments. The use of a reel greatly increases your chances of finding your way out. Features a reel needs are: a handle, a sprocket which turns easily, a method of locking the reel so it does not turn, a method of securing the reel and a method of cliping the line off quickly. None of the clips should be suicide clips. A suicide clip is a clip that will passively clip to a line (meaning without your assistance). A reel is a very simple device.

As for rental of equipment, the dive shop has normal equipment rental. I do not know if this includes knives, shears, safety sausages, whistles, mirrors, reels or slates.

If anyone needs to rent any of those items please send a PM to me and I'll be happy to check on the availability. Keep in mind, we will not be running 16 reels at the same time, so there will be some leeway for sharing. In an ideal world, or if we were contemplating a major penetration each diver would need their own reel.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[KC_Scubabunny]

Walter,

Jeff and I might find it more economically feasible to rent a reel depending on what they cost. He check at one LDS here and they had one for $150. Since there is no wreck diving in the immediate area this might be an over inflated price for something that the dive shop has collecting dust on their shelf.

Can you give me an idea of what an adequate reel should cost to both buy and rent?

Also from your post above about sharing can I assume that one reel for our buddy team will be enough?

Also is there a text that we should purchase ahead of time and have read in advance of arriving? (We are both geeky overachievers in academics who take great comfort in reading and rereading about things before we do them.)

Thanks for your patience in answering all our questions.

Heather

 

[Walter]

Heather,

There are lots of books available on wreck diving. I've yet to find one I can recommend to students. I teach this class without a text.

I'll check on prices for you.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[Natasha]

Dear Walter:
I just realized from talking to someone, that many of us don't know all your history. Can you tell everyone:
#1 How long you have been a certified diver
#2 How long you have been an instructor
#3 How many dives you have logged
#4 How many wreck dives you have logged.
Since I do know you, I know most of these answers. I think everyone else will be very impressed. Or am I just extra easily impressed? I know your brother Dennis will say, I'm giving you a big head again. But please answer these simple questions.
Thanks.

 

[The Chairman]

You obviously don't realise how old Walter is...

1) Walter helped to invent the Aqualung the last century or so. He really doesn't like to go that far back. He has been certified since they first offered certification.

2) He taught Jaques Cousteau how to dive... 'nuff said.

3)1,947,812 (approximately)

4) 947,811 (not counting watching many of them sink from the bottom perspective)

You see, Walter is just too modest to put these figures out in the open for all to see. Don't be surprised if his incredible humility causes him to post these numbers as far less. The fact that he was there when the Titanic sank (he placed the first marker bouy, doncha know) and that he has found the lost city of Atlantis (still keeps that one secret, tho) makes him the absolute best instructor that we could ask for. If we are nice, he might even show us where Jimmy Hoffa's body lies!

BTW, there is a vicious rumor that he has lost all of his teeth. I know for a fact that he has merely misplaced them. Maybe he will let us help him search for them off of Venice Beach.

 

[Walter]

Natasha,

"I just realized from talking to someone, that many of us don't know all your history."

Not even Dennis knows all my history.

"#1 How long you have been a certified diver"

I began my OW class in 1983, but became certified in 1984. That makes it 18 years.

"#2 How long you have been an instructor"

I became certified to teach in 1986, picking up the wreck instructor certification in 1988.

"#3 How many dives you have logged"

As of today - 1238. I expect to add about 50 - 60 before the class begins.

"#4 How many wreck dives you have logged."

As of today - 269 on 49 wrecks. I'm planning more wreck dives next weekend, hopefully on some of the ones we'll dive in July.

"Or am I just extra easily impressed?"

Probably. There's nothing impressive here, I've just been around awhile. Keep breathing and keep diving the numbers keep getting bigger, it's nothing special. It happens to us all.

DSSW,

WWW™

 

[The Chairman]

that he would go all modest on us. Just go with my post for the real low-down on Walter...