8 replies to this topic

[Ducky]

Mammoth Lake in Lake Jackson TX... its been since Thanksgiving since I went diving. I literally crave breathing compressed air. The dry dive wasnt cutting it anymore. I drove to the dive training lake that a friend of mine owns and decided I was getting in no matter the temp. I slung a tank in the truck and grabbed my kit and headed out to the lake on a sunny windy 58 degree day. Suited up in a full 3m and 2.5 shorty I took the giant stride into the 56 degree water only to resurface trying to figure out why I couldnt catch my breath even though I was breathing thru my reg 🙃! Lol I realized I was swallowing air not breathing it. Jeez thats the coldest water Ive ever been in. It took me about 5 min on the surface to finally exhale enough to descend. Viz was about 10 ft (normally 30 in the spring and summer) and I lasted about 20 min. I got out and got straight into my truck and turned the heater on. About 30 min later I started feel my ears again and decided that wasnt so bad and went back in for another dive. Needless to say Im a bit of a dive addict, but hey I got my fix and am feeling a little better. Hoping for some warmer temperature soon because that really is a great lake to dive. Lots of cool things to see and Jason (the owner) has put a lot of work into making it one of the best training lakes around. Anyways, just wanted to share my experience, strength, and hope with any other dive addicts out there. Im waiting not so patiently for February so I can get to Cozumel and warm waters of the Caribbean.

Peace, love, and bubbles!

[dive_sail_etc]

Mammoth Lake in Lake Jackson TX... its been since Thanksgiving since I went diving. I literally crave breathing compressed air. The dry dive wasnt cutting it anymore. I drove to the dive training lake that a friend of mine owns and decided I was getting in no matter the temp. I slung a tank in the truck and grabbed my kit and headed out to the lake on a sunny windy 58 degree day. Suited up in a full 3m and 2.5 shorty I took the giant stride into the 56 degree water only to resurface trying to figure out why I couldnt catch my breath even though I was breathing thru my reg ! Lol I realized I was swallowing air not breathing it. Jeez thats the coldest water Ive ever been in. It took me about 5 min on the surface to finally exhale enough to descend. Viz was about 10 ft (normally 30 in the spring and summer) and I lasted about 20 min. I got out and got straight into my truck and turned the heater on. About 30 min later I started feel my ears again and decided that wasnt so bad and went back in for another dive. Needless to say Im a bit of a dive addict, but hey I got my fix and am feeling a little better. Hoping for some warmer temperature soon because that really is a great lake to dive. Lots of cool things to see and Jason (the owner) has put a lot of work into making it one of the best training lakes around. Anyways, just wanted to share my experience, strength, and hope with any other dive addicts out there. Im waiting not so patiently for February so I can get to Cozumel and warm waters of the Caribbean.

Peace, love, and bubbles!

Devon you are made of what makes a truly outstanding dive buddy, that is, a determined, intrepid yet skilled and safe diver who simply MUST have their *biubbles* fix even in extreme conditions. I know you, Kamala and the Krewe will have a blast in (much warmer) Cozumel just about a month from now (still a couple of spots open folks, hint hint)!

[WreckWench]

WOW Devon aka Ducky...you truly are like a duck out of water when you aren't diving. You are a serious addict to dive water that cold but hey... its the BEST ADDICTION possible and not only legal but HEALTHY FOR YOU!!!

 

YES diving is good for you physically as well as spiritually!

[Ducky]

Yes dive addict is one of the healthier additions in my opinion. Let me also mention that I do plan my dives out and that I am also a certified self reliant diver as well as instructor. I do not recommend solo diving unless you are qualified and you don’t have another option. Also, I did have a dm on site with me. Just don’t want anyone to get any ideas about doing any unsafe diving to get their fix.

[WreckWench]

Yes dive addict is one of the healthier additions in my opinion. Let me also mention that I do plan my dives out and that I am also a certified self reliant diver as well as instructor. I do not recommend solo diving unless you are qualified and you don’t have another option. Also, I did have a dm on site with me. Just don’t want anyone to get any ideas about doing any unsafe diving to get their fix.

Great follow up. Proper training is necessary to dive without a buddy AND REDUNDANT EQUIPMENT including a back up mask, mirror to see if you are leaking bubbles, redundant air source, etc.

[ScubaTex]

Thanx for the memories.

My first cold(?- 52!) water plunge (dive) was in February a few years ago, for my rescue certification. As soon as I hit the water, after my giant stride, all the air was sucked out of my lungs. When I bobbed to the surface, I told myself, "the reg is in your mouth, all you have to do is breathe." I realized then, why there are so many drownings, when people fall into the water during the winter.

 

Waiting for my 2nd "jab", before going somewhere in the Carib. to get my sea legs back, then maybe another extended exotic dive holiday in the near future. 

[little mermaid]

 I got my Advanced OW in one of our Colorado lakes. I had gone to Dominican Republic to dive and the dive company would only let me dive to 60' due to the fact I only had my OW.  Even though I had a dive log with over 300 dives......... I got really irritated.  When I started diving with Kamala, I was not going to be held to that limit.  So before my 1st dive with SD, I got my Advanced OW.  Since I had dived with this Dive shop they waived the 60' dive and let me do the navigation in 2 areas and counted 2 of my other dives.  The water was 42 at the top and the bottom 38.  The lake where we were diving was only 22'  I had on my 5 mil and their 7 mil.  I could hardly move.  The navigation was with about 12' vis.  I froze my tail off, but got the cert.  Probably will not ever dive cold water again.    Oh wait, when we dived in Florida for the Giant Goliath Groupers, we had a day of 52 degree water in a 3 mil.  I stupidly did the 2nd dive.  The fish and turtles we saw were so lethargic, they were soooo cold also. This was an un normal event.  Needless to say, after the dive we all went to the local dive warehouse and bought warmer gear for the next day..... The water the next day was in the 70's!

 

I just love diving in the warm water!!!  

[WreckWench]

Thanx for the memories.

My first cold(?- 52!) water plunge (dive) was in February a few years ago, for my rescue certification. As soon as I hit the water, after my giant stride, all the air was sucked out of my lungs. When I bobbed to the surface, I told myself, "the reg is in your mouth, all you have to do is breathe." I realized then, why there are so many drownings, when people fall into the water during the winter.

 

Waiting for my 2nd "jab", before going somewhere in the Carib. to get my sea legs back, then maybe another extended exotic dive holiday in the near future. 

Hey Bill great to hear from you! And great post! We'd love to have you join us! We are probably doing Cozumel again in April as well as Feb 20-21. Come join us!

[WreckWench]

Thanx for the memories.

My first cold(?- 52!) water plunge (dive) was in February a few years ago, for my rescue certification. As soon as I hit the water, after my giant stride, all the air was sucked out of my lungs. When I bobbed to the surface, I told myself, "the reg is in your mouth, all you have to do is breathe." I realized then, why there are so many drownings, when people fall into the water during the winter.

 

Waiting for my 2nd "jab", before going somewhere in the Carib. to get my sea legs back, then maybe another extended exotic dive holiday in the near future. 

Hey Bill great to hear from you! And great post! We'd love to have you join us! We are probably doing Cozumel again in April as well as Feb 20-21. Come join us!