Spring Lake certification - Nov 9, 2019

[brad618]

Just 4 weeks away now! Do you think a 3mm will be enough, or should I bring a 5mm suit?

 

[JPipes]

Depends on your cold tolerance. My 3mm and hood with vest are ok, but sometimes a skin helps too. I will probably pick up a 5 or more at some point for this place.

 

[watermonkee]

Just 4 weeks away now! Do you think a 3mm will be enough, or should I bring a 5mm suit?

I've done it many times in a good 3-mil. I got a 5-mil last year and MUCH prefer using that at Spring Lake any time of year. The water temp is constant year-round. A skin provides absolutely no thermal protection, but it does help with getting the wet suit on and off.

 

[Lakediver]

Most of the times that I've dove the Comal, I've used a 5 mm. But last time I dove it - back in April - I just used a 3 mm, and I was totally fine. Except for the part where I bashed my knee on a rock and tore a small hole in my brand new wetsuit.

 

[ReefHound]

Caleb is now taking volunteer diving requests.

watermonkee and reefhound are scheduled to volunteer dive Saturday morning at 8am. We are staying in San Marcos Friday night.

If you are already a certified volunteer, sign up to dive in the morning then we can join the students for lunch.

 

[JPipes]

All right y'all, one week. Everyone have their homework done and gear soaked in vinegar?

How much bottom time do we need to plan for during the orientation dive?

 

[ReefHound]

You won't hit more than 25' and average will be 10-15'. Training area will be 10-30 minutes depending on how much practice time you want before performing a couple of simple check-off skills. River dive will be about 30 minutes. Even a hoover should get 60 minutes at those depths.

If your question is whether to bring one tank or two tanks, I would recommend two. Chances are you will only need one but there's nowhere nearby to get a refill or extra tank. Although "somebody" usually has a spare tank, you know it's the one time you depend upon that will be the one time "somebody" isn't around. And you might feel more relaxed to start off the river dive with a full tank, necessary or not. You don't want to hit 1000psi and not know where in the river you are or how much further to go. Keep in mind, the top two goals in all of this is to not damage the environment/life and to not surface out in the river where you could get hit by a boat.

 

[Lakediver]

I know I previously said that I thought a 3 mil would be fine, but after last weekend's dive in Athens, I've changed my opinion. The water was 67, according to my computer. I was in my 3 mil, and I was freezing my ass off towards the end of the dive. And we were only down there for 30 minutes. So considering that we'll be in the water for closer to an hour, I would recommend a 5 mil. And gloves.

 

[JPipes]

Excellent response, just what I was looking for. I will grab a second for next weekend. I like being first in and last out, just the limited by those 80's.

 

[brad618]

I'll be bringing 2 tanks also. Just ordered a Henderson 5mm suit. Should be here Wednesday. Already have a new hood, gloves, and boots.

 

[Seaagg05]

I know a lot of people that dive spring lake in a 3mm, or less..., but I always prefer a 5. It’s warm, but not that warm

 

[DeepGeek]

Does anyone have the links handy for all the documents they want filled out? I got an email with them back in August but I hadn't realised there was that much paperwork. I may have misplaced the email.

 

[ReefHound]

I thought when you signed up they emailed you the materials. I don't see them posted on the website. I wouldn't rely on any older versions you may find on our site from previous classes to be current.

If anyone has already received the materials, you can upload in this thread. I'll delete them after the class to make sure future participants don't use out-dated materials.

 

[DeepGeek]

Found the email from back in Aug. 6 attachments, 6MB. If anyone needs them I can post them here.

 

[DeepGeek]

I'm planning to arrive at San Marcos Friday sometime around 5pm. I guess everyone on the course will be arriving Friday evening, any of the volunteer divers coming friday?
Any breakfast plans for Saturday morning?
Alsos anyone staying for dinner/drinks on Saturday?
Finally, is anyone interested in a dive Sunday morning, non-training? I might grab a third tank just in case.

 

[brad618]

I'm planning to arrive at San Marcos Friday sometime around 5pm. I guess everyone on the course will be arriving Friday evening, any of the volunteer divers coming friday?
Any breakfast plans for Saturday morning?
Alsos anyone staying for dinner/drinks on Saturday?
Finally, is anyone interested in a dive Sunday morning, non-training? I might grab a third tank just in case.

I will be driving up Late Friday afternoon. Planing to return to Houston Saturday evening.

 

[Lakediver]

I will be driving up Friday after work. Depending on how late I get in, I would be up for grabbing a drink Friday night. I will be heading back Saturday, but dinner and drinks after class sounds good to me.

 

[Lakediver]

So anyone have any idea how much vinegar it takes to fill up 20% of a bathtub? Or is there a better way to do this gear wash thing?

 

[JPipes]

I am looking at an arrival of 630-7 Friday. I was thinking about an In-N-Out burger and hitting the road Saturday, I wasn't planning for much else then.

I am going to use a big Rubbermaid tub for the wash. Fill up the mix then drink a beer then on to the next item to soak.

 

[Seaagg05]

So anyone have any idea how much vinegar it takes to fill up 20% of a bathtub? Or is there a better way to do this gear wash thing?

About 10 gallons, depends on the bathtub