First ever scooter dive today
#1
Posted 10 July 2004 - 05:44 PM
Our friend Rod gave a very thorough presentation on scooters, which lasted about 45 minutes. We got into everything - how they are powered, care and maintence, how to operate them safely, and much more. After the presentation we put on wetsuits and masks and scootered around on the surface to get the feel for them. I also did a few "breath hold" dives with the scooter to get a feel for using it underwater. I tried out two different tow-behind type scooters, then tried the type that you actually ride on. It was like riding a giant torpedo with a back rest. Rod's an engineer by trade, so one of his scooters was customized, and included a mounted compass and dive computer, and headlights on either side of the scooter. I told him he needs to patent the thing and sell it!
After deciding that I liked the Farralon Mark III the best, I did a scooter dive in full scuba gear. It normally takes at least 35 minutes to swim around the perimeter of this quarry; With a scooter it took me about 12 minutes! I guess I'm a lead-foot (lead finger? ) underwater, too! HA HA. After a 20 minute dive, I noticed it had started to rain. By the time I surfaced it had really started to storm, so I exited the quarry and we all took shelter. After about 10 or 15minutes, the rain went away and the sun came back out (that's Ohio weather for ya!). After some snacks and a surface interval, I did a second dive, then we called it a day after that.
Karen was a bit concerned about the visibilty, so she opted for a "ride-along" where another diver controlled the scooter and she just held on for the ride. I think our friend Bob enjoyed himself as much as she did- he seemed to like having a her as a passenger!
We stopped at a local farm market on the way home and bought some nice locally grown produce, then dined on some grilled brats and roasted sweet corn, yummy stuff!
All in all, it was one of the coolest dive experiences I've had so far.
Take care all,
Laura
#2
Posted 10 July 2004 - 08:48 PM
then dined on some grilled brats
How did you trick Triggerfish into crawling onto a barbeque?
Just kidding of course, started my OW cert today and couldn't resist a poke at one of the funny gals on here...who could!?
I'm on a roll!
Edited by Kriterian, 10 July 2004 - 08:48 PM.
#3
Posted 10 July 2004 - 09:19 PM
not even CERTIFIED yet, and he's treading dangerous waters!!!
be afraid, young man....
be VERY afaid!
#4
Posted 11 July 2004 - 06:55 AM
Anyway, Laura that sounds so awesome! I have always wanted to try one. I think its great hat your dive club offers such great speakers for its members!! Did you get any pics?
The best day I ever had was face to face with a man and a shark, and wondering who was gonna bite me first- Poison Pen
Divers Wanted! Come dive with SD!!
#5
Posted 11 July 2004 - 07:54 AM
I would like a scooter but it would probably dissappear into my daughters side of the garage like the last car I bought!
Here are some scooter diver/drivers on last months NC trip.
By all that is wet, I do hereby swear, (politely), and attest, upon pain of never diving again, (real or imagined), that I understand and affirm, that I agree to the above.
_________________________________________(log in name signature)
Signed and Dated
#6
Posted 11 July 2004 - 11:58 AM
#7
Posted 11 July 2004 - 12:23 PM
#8
Posted 11 July 2004 - 12:30 PM
(and THAT is sour grapes if EVER i heard it!!!)
#9
Posted 11 July 2004 - 01:38 PM
How did you trick Triggerfish into crawling onto a barbeque?
Uh Oh!
You're in for it now! I suggest kissing her feet, and pleading that you didn't know any better. (It works only once)
#10
Posted 11 July 2004 - 01:42 PM
then dined on some grilled brats
How did you trick Triggerfish into crawling onto a barbeque?
Just kidding of course, started my OW cert today and couldn't resist a poke at one of the funny gals on here...who could!?
I'm on a roll!
be bery bery carefull.
TF a sneaky one.
#11
Posted 11 July 2004 - 01:43 PM
that's the best you could do??
#12
Posted 11 July 2004 - 02:27 PM
yea yea, i know, its weaksneaky??
that's the best you could do??
but it was a stop gap while i worked on the DiveGoddess photo lol
#13
Posted 11 July 2004 - 03:34 PM
#14
Posted 12 July 2004 - 08:53 AM
Actually yes, if my friends send me the picture I'll post it. On the first dive, I was still in a leardning curve...there are these long grasses that grow around the edge of this quarry. I managed to plow right through them, covering me and the scooter in the stuff. (I did stop the motor to clean out the blades, though).You guys are too funny!!!!
Anyway, Laura that sounds so awesome! I have always wanted to try one. I think its great hat your dive club offers such great speakers for its members!! Did you get any pics?
Upon surfacing, my friend Deb (who is a police officer) told me to "freeze!" and she took a picture of me looking like the creature from the black lagoon!
I was able to keep everything clean on the second dive. So it was all good!
Laura
#15
Posted 12 July 2004 - 08:54 AM
Here are some scooter diver/drivers on last months NC trip.
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users