Northwest Dive Club

What's up Briny! Welcome!


Calvin - I approve of the current avatar! People tell me there are dolphins in the picture, but I haven't seen them yet... I'm still looking for them.

John - I hereby invite you to give a presentation at my house whenever you're available. All who would like to attend are welcome. Perhaps Bill Walker might even be able to make it (if he's in town). I know my father-in-law (best friends with Bill) would enjoy it too. If folks want to let me know th...

Indeed - and with so much experience to pull from I'm in good hands here as well. I feel quite fortunate to have such a wealth of knowledge I can trust here... just a question away. I feel sorry for newbs who don't have the same resource.

Lamont can tell you a WHOLE lot more about this than I can (he's one of the dive team), but I did want to let people know about the website that is not public and includes a great short video. The website is http://www.aplponline.org The SCRET project is also very interesting (and addicting if you'r...

Thanks for the suggestion - fortunately GD is going to help us ensure we've got the right amount of weight in the right places. When diving my plate with plate weights I haven't found myself being too "head down" but comfortably horizontal... that was with LOTS of weight in a borrowed belt...

Thanks - it sounds like you WERE EARLY! Next time you come up this direction, just let me know. We're on the Eastside on the Sammamish Plateau (just map "Pine Lake, WA" on your computer - we're on the SE side of it off 228th Ave) and have 3 open bedrooms you're welcome to (and it's VERY qu...

Is that the current vis? Are you kidding me?! That's like Hawaii vis!... COLD Hawaii vis... but it makes me want to look for turtles (guessing I wouldn't find any).

Keith/Tom - please send pictures!!!

Thanks. That's a lot of help.

That's a great point - with proper planning, it should't be an issue regardless... SHOULDN'T being the key. I feel very fortunate to have so much experience to learn from at my fingertips.

(laughing) Happy B-day bro! Do you rock "Hansen" in your green machine?

That's really interesting - someday I'd like to do the water test. Calling it a 104 and having it hold 130+cu' of gas isn't a "slight miscalculation." Buyer Beware (pays to do your research): I would hate for someone to do their calculations for gas consumption based on a 104 at 3500psi an...

Lamont - I'll be running a steep BP with 8# of plate weights and a single HP130. Are you saying I will not need more than 15# in my weight belt (wearing a drysuit with a somewhat fluffy undergarmet)? I'm going to be buying weights soon for both Mrs. Sounder and myself. I (obviously) will need more w...

Yeah... I'm headed down that road too. It's either an argon rig or she'll have to start eating McDonalds twice a day... I'll spring for the argon bottle! The trouble is I'll probably end up getting myself one too, but then I can't use the "my extra insulation keeps me warm while diving" ex...

(still sitting in the corner pouting)

John when do you think the book will be ready? I have yet to see the DVD too - waiting for more to come in stock. Also, please keep us posted if you plan to give another presentation on it... I was sorry to have missed the NWDC one you put on.

You're correct - the wife will be happy as long as she's warm. She won't care if that warmth come from the an argon bottle or a campfire so long as she's warm. I like the TDL rig, but also like the other systems I've read about and seen too.

Excellent points... sounds like a 6cu argon bottle is the way to go. I didn't realize the minimal gain for the extra hassle and expense. Thank you.

Those are great points... I'm continuing to listen. Is this what was discussed earlier about having a non-metal attachement of the argon bottle to the pack plate? The ability to cut it off to ditch it?

(Sounder stomps feet, sticks out tongue, sits on floor, pushes out his bottom lip... envious and pouting)

Perhaps a visit to see what the real hike actually consists of is in order! From the boat (and from listening to other divers who'd done it), it appeared tough... then again, it's easy to say how tough the shore entry is when you're on a boat. But then again... "it rains all the time in Seattle...

Keith, after how hard we laughed at your dogfish story, I think you owe it to me to bring the laser!

Yeah, I thought about that too. It's be interesting to see how much it put you off and whether you could compensate on the other side as well. I also though of how perfect they'd be if I was doing a quick prop-job on my boat while it was in the water so I wouldn't have to drag a big tank to the shop...

At UWS Seattle I saw steel HP bottles that were about the size of an AL14 but held something like 30cu' of gas... any thought here? It'd allow you to take a few #'s off your belt... right?

We could definitely bring Christmas lights... she could turn them off and on as many times as she liked too. I'd also be willing to wear a Santa hat and pass out candy canes if it would help.