DIR-UK Survey Practise

[Al_Star]

Some of the DIR-UK team got together this weekend to practise some cave survey techniques with a view to using them on the Unknown Sailing Ship Project.

I’ve done a quick cut of some of the video. It’s the first video I’ve put together other than some skill demos so don’t be too critical!

Clare and I spent both dives on the RB80’s which was good opportunity to keep building the hours on the units so there is some footage of Clare diving with one. I’m behind the camera on mine so you don’t see me except in one of the stills at the end.



Cheers
Al

[neilh]

Originally Posted by Al_Star

I’ve done a quick cut of some of the video. It’s the first video I’ve put together other than some skill demos so don’t be too critical!

Nice video Al, nothing like challenging yourself with getting to grips with the RB80 as well as a camera

Originally Posted by Al_Star

I’m behind the camera on mine so you don’t see me except in one of the stills at the end.

Ahhh, cunning

Out of interest, what are you finding makes a good pencil for the wetnotes? I went off the usual waterproof pencils and switched to cheap propelling pencils, but I'm finding these seize up after a relatively short time...

[MartyC]

Interesting, Al do you know if there are any vids of line laying techniques anywhere, I want to do some studying on laying line, I know it's not as good as proper instruction (before any one chips in )but video info is worth its weight in gold.

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by neilh

Out of interest, what are you finding makes a good pencil for the wetnotes? I went off the usual waterproof pencils and switched to cheap propelling pencils, but I'm finding these seize up after a relatively short time...

I bought a big pack of "pop-a-points" from eBay, that seem to do the trick well enough .... if you break the point you can push a new one through. I'd be interested to earn what others use, too.
Mal

[neilh]

Originally Posted by MartyC

Interesting, Al do you know if there are any vids of line laying techniques anywhere, I want to do some studying on laying line, I know it's not as good as proper instruction (before any one chips in )but video info is worth its weight in gold.

There's a good article in Quest from one of the Mexico guys and 5thd-x have some vids as part of their tech DVDs showing line laying, tie offs, team responsibilities, etc. I haven't come across anything online though.

[neilh]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

I bought a big pack of "pop-a-points" from eBay, that seem to do the trick well enough .... if you break the point you can push a new one through. I'd be interested to earn what others use, too.
Mal

Hmmm, that's a really neat idea as there's no metal to rust, etc. Plus you can pop them all out to give them a soak if necessary.

How easy are they to "pop" with dry gloves on?

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by neilh

How easy are they to "pop" with dry gloves on?

Not sure ... if I dived with dry gloves, I'd make sure I was close to David Martin who maintains extraordinary manual dexterity despite the water temperature
Mal

[Madfish]

Way too short for such a good video (and music) - encore please

Di

[Al_Star]

Originally Posted by MartyC

Interesting, Al do you know if there are any vids of line laying techniques anywhere, I want to do some studying on laying line, I know it's not as good as proper instruction (before any one chips in )but video info is worth its weight in gold.

I don't know of any videos but usually at the DIR-X gigs we run a line laying workshop. Last year myself and Joe Hesketh ran them. It really is something that works best with a demo on the surface followed by some time underwater. Sorry there isn't anything a bit more immediate.

Originally Posted by neilh

Out of interest, what are you finding makes a good pencil for the wetnotes? I went off the usual waterproof pencils and switched to cheap propelling pencils, but I'm finding these seize up after a relatively short time...

The one's made from recycled plastic are usually quite good. You can pick them up quite easily if you look for them.

Cheers
Al

[John63]

Originally Posted by MartyC

Interesting, Al do you know if there are any vids of line laying techniques anywhere, I want to do some studying on laying line, I know it's not as good as proper instruction (before any one chips in )but video info is worth its weight in gold.

Hi Marty,

I don't have any video but do have some articles as pdf files that I could email if you want.


Cheers, John