Swanage master class in line laying

[Ian@1904]

As some of you know Tom and I had considered a day diving under Swanage Pier. The weather looked a bit iffy, and I had turned down various offers of puddle diving. Probably a mistake.
We set of about 7.30am and it was dark, really really dark, in fact the next three hours saw some of the worst driving conditions I have ever experienced. There was a big accident on the M25, more delays. It was grim. It stayed grim until we reached Swanage. Then it became grimmer as Tom had arived and I would have to go diving. the pier mafiosa took great delight in pointing out the viz was nil. We did not care (much) we were doing a line laying master class. Given the terrible conditions we could not afford to waste time so off into the water we went.
We planned the dive and Tom showed me some very dodgy low viz signals to use. I am not used to hand holding with fellow divers, and a double squeeze on the arm could be open to interpretation
Now it is important not to be underweighted, and you should never use the pier pilings to drag yourself down-it is a bad idea. OK, so Tom started laying line in what turned out to be great viz - about 60cm. Not kidding. I did some mask replacement stuff-not that I wanted to. Tom duly kept the line taught having listened to Mr Powell. In fact rather well done considering my tendency to float upwards. Oh yes it was a bit tight inside the suit-dry, bit very tight, more weight next time-oops.

Dive two was much the same except it was much much darker, the viz was so bad I could not read my dive computer, and Tom gave me dive signals by fin kicking my head-occasionaly. this dive lasted 14 mins, about 13 mins more than was required.

The viz was pants, the dive was a tad challenging, the company was great. We found two crabs a scorpion fish and quite a few rocks*. Cheers Tom. Thanks for lending me a weight.

Curry has just arrived-pics to follow.

* I will leave Tom to explain

[Ian@1904]

Tom demonstrating the correct entry technique

Demonstrating how to walk on water



The divers return from the amazing depths

Back from the depths*


4m

[Diving Dude]

What was the helicopter ride like this time Skinny?

[onthetrain]

fair play boys! From the pictures it looks like parking on the pier wasnt too much of an issue

[ratcliffe]

You are both completely mad, but fair play for giving it a go. Probably a good experience for if you ever get caught in some awful viz.

[Ian@1904]

Originally Posted by Diving Dude

What was the helicopter ride like this time Skinny?

Much improved thanks, Karen had rung ahead just in case. Changing the washing powder seems to have cured things

[Ian@1904]

Originally Posted by onthetrain

fair play boys! From the pictures it looks like parking on the pier wasnt too much of an issue

It was tough, but we fought our way in

Originally Posted by ratcliffe

You are both completely mad, but fair play for giving it a go. Probably a good experience for if you ever get caught in some awful viz.

In terms of task loading for us -weight, mask and surge issues, and Tom had me to contend with it was a well executed exercise. Tom laid the line very well. We did not die. I only let go of the line once or twice.

[Scuby]

Viz looks quite nice in the 3rd photo Hehe

[warmwaterdiver]

photo 2: is that torch cannister actually attached?

[Ian@1904]

Originally Posted by Scuby

Viz looks quite nice in the 3rd photo Hehe

That was the relatively clear bit of water

Originally Posted by warmwaterdiver

photo 2: is that torch cannister actually attached?

Yes thanks, cam band on cylinder, two piece battery holder. Looks untidy as normally fitted on the twinset.