Post by surflung on May 4, 2015 6:10:09 GMT -8
The Lessons of Fortune Pond...
- Testing New Equipment, Improvising Solutions, and New Discoveries
- I tested my SeaTec horsecollar BCD with an Argonaut Kracken double hose regulator and then with a Phoenix double hose regulator. Learned something: The inflator hose needs to have a large collar quick disconnect. The small collar ones are nearly impossible to disconnect under pressure when trying to take tanks off with numb hands. Large collar worked fine. BCD worked fine, too. Not needed much if I have my weights right.
- My ZOOP computer went on the fritz so I had to use the PADI dive tables and my watch to plan and dive repetitive dives to 80 ft and 60 ft. I know I'm supposed to be doing that anyway and just supplement with the computer... So, a reminder of how things should be done. (LDS fixed the ZOOP w/New Battery - Now part of my Save-A-Dive kit)
- I re-kindled my interest in J-Valve reserve diving. Made a second dive on my Twin 42s which still had half the air left. SPG didn't fit so I flipped the reserve up, and dove for nearly 30 minutes before breathing got a little tight. Pulled the reserve, signaled Rich to head in, and finished the dive with enough time for a safety stop.
- Second day, last dive was interesting. I had brought a couple of single 72s and forgot my single backpack/BCD. Trying to figure how to get a 5th dive in, Eric P and SwimJim came up with a technical diver solution: They rigged a sling to hang from my double tank harness... So I wore a double tank with 700 psi and Argonaut with horsecollar BCD as basically my backup air. The slung 72 had a double hose Mistral and hung at my chest. It took a little getting used to as, with the can about 6-8 inches below me it wanted to inflate me and was hard to exhale. But I hugged the tank so the can was against my chest for most of the dive and it was then more comfortable.
- On the way back to the pier, I switched from the slung tank to the back mount tanks and back again. The slung tank I had to turn the valve off and on to keep from free flowing with the double hose reg. But, it all worked actually very well. Breathing from the slung tank during my safety stop, I turned around and spotted Eric shooting video... I was hoping there wouldn't be any evidence but that video may show up somewhere...
- Testing New Equipment, Improvising Solutions, and New Discoveries
- I tested my SeaTec horsecollar BCD with an Argonaut Kracken double hose regulator and then with a Phoenix double hose regulator. Learned something: The inflator hose needs to have a large collar quick disconnect. The small collar ones are nearly impossible to disconnect under pressure when trying to take tanks off with numb hands. Large collar worked fine. BCD worked fine, too. Not needed much if I have my weights right.
- My ZOOP computer went on the fritz so I had to use the PADI dive tables and my watch to plan and dive repetitive dives to 80 ft and 60 ft. I know I'm supposed to be doing that anyway and just supplement with the computer... So, a reminder of how things should be done. (LDS fixed the ZOOP w/New Battery - Now part of my Save-A-Dive kit)
- I re-kindled my interest in J-Valve reserve diving. Made a second dive on my Twin 42s which still had half the air left. SPG didn't fit so I flipped the reserve up, and dove for nearly 30 minutes before breathing got a little tight. Pulled the reserve, signaled Rich to head in, and finished the dive with enough time for a safety stop.
- Second day, last dive was interesting. I had brought a couple of single 72s and forgot my single backpack/BCD. Trying to figure how to get a 5th dive in, Eric P and SwimJim came up with a technical diver solution: They rigged a sling to hang from my double tank harness... So I wore a double tank with 700 psi and Argonaut with horsecollar BCD as basically my backup air. The slung 72 had a double hose Mistral and hung at my chest. It took a little getting used to as, with the can about 6-8 inches below me it wanted to inflate me and was hard to exhale. But I hugged the tank so the can was against my chest for most of the dive and it was then more comfortable.
- On the way back to the pier, I switched from the slung tank to the back mount tanks and back again. The slung tank I had to turn the valve off and on to keep from free flowing with the double hose reg. But, it all worked actually very well. Breathing from the slung tank during my safety stop, I turned around and spotted Eric shooting video... I was hoping there wouldn't be any evidence but that video may show up somewhere...
