Hello to all in YD,
I've ben watching for a couple of weeks to get a feel of the atmosphere in the group and I must say I've found it in turn interesting, humerous, 'bloody typical', 'oops'! useful and generally, apart from the odd spat
, good natured. So I'd like to join the pack.
About me. I'm mid-forties and first qualified as a 3rd class in the early '70s (when age wasn't an issue), then as a PADI (Rescue?) diver when I lived in the States in the late '70s, back to BSAC when at university in the mid-80's and came out an advanced diver. I dived with Reading university through until the mid-90's when a change in jobs ment relocation to middle-england and pressure of work (and other interests) has caused this last non-diving gap to be about 8 years. However, a new job last Christmas and impending relocation to Leeds this autumn means that I can at last devote some time to diving again. Blimey, what a saga!
Anyway, I'm trying to kit up and re-learn (or learn from scratch when it comes to nitrox, heliox etc) the basics again. A lot has changed technically in the last few years: mixed gasses! just about unheard of in the UK for sport divers last time I was down; what the hell's a 'wing'; rebreathers kill you, don't they (or they did during WWII); dry suits? never used one although they've given me endless amusement from watching the results when friends have gone over the side with their zip undone
So as you can see I'm a bit out of date, although I've just pool-checked with a drysuit and stab-jacket (last used an ABLJ) and can't say that I noticed any substantial differences - apart from being warm and dry!
I've joined a Leeds club to get started and have more questions than a Vulcan. I've bought a complete second-hand set of kit (all being serviced) from a friend who's given up in favour of motorsports but I'm already thinking of twins, mixed gas, wings, rebreathers, and all the techy-toys that weren't available last time. What's DIS or DIR by the way? I've noticed a few references and had a quick look at a couple of sites, but I can't say that I'm clear on the issue.
I work as an ecologist and technical director on multi-disciplinary environmental impact assessment projects around the UK and currently commute weekly between Bedford and Leeds, but I'm up for weekend trips - overnight B&B or whatever.
Anyway, I look forward to meeting some of you (well all of you, but you know what mean).
Regards,
Phideaux (aka Simon)