Search found 1023 matches

by fmerkel
Sun Aug 22, 2021 1:33 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Let's talk cuff dumps
Replies: 6
Views: 2033

Re: Let's talk cuff dumps

I have had a standard size SiTech cuff dump for years. Small learning curve. Since the cuff can be moved a significant amount in a vertical plane you can change the dump characteristics a lot. Put it way over your head, which is far easier than the shoulder dump 'limbo' and it dumps easily. Keep the...
by fmerkel
Tue Jun 01, 2021 8:00 am
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Keystone Baby Album!!!
Replies: 6
Views: 1567

Re: Keystone Baby Album!!!

Unique album.
by fmerkel
Tue May 25, 2021 4:38 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Big congrats to Scuba Jess!
Replies: 13
Views: 3613

Re: Big congrats to Scuba Jess!

T one of the brightest jewels in the Salish Sea. Way to go!
by fmerkel
Thu May 20, 2021 7:26 am
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Drysuit seal latex "melting" ? Shops to rent drysuit from?
Replies: 6
Views: 1846

Re: Drysuit seal latex "melting" ? Shops to rent drysuit from?

As indicated, possibly petroleum. You can get it from the surface of the water and not even realize it. Latex needs regular soap + water cleaning and application of 'seal saver' (pure silicone), for best life.
by fmerkel
Sun May 09, 2021 5:46 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Bark and wood at Redondo
Replies: 5
Views: 1569

Re: Bark and wood at Redondo

1000 divers finning REALLY hard. :joshsmith:
Split fins recommended for their bottom stirring abilities. :stir: :)
by fmerkel
Sun Feb 28, 2021 1:31 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Warmest Dry Glove Liners?
Replies: 7
Views: 3501

Re: Warmest Dry Glove Liners?

For warmth + dexterity + value = the green wool gloves at Seattle Marine and Fishing Supply, near Fisherman's Terminal, Ballard. They have a HUGE selection of gloves and great prices. A good 7-10mm hood and general core warmth will go a long way to keeping hands warm. Gloves don't help much if YOU a...
by fmerkel
Fri Feb 12, 2021 10:24 am
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Hollis Wing Seems to Fill with Water
Replies: 4
Views: 2326

Re: Hollis Wing Seems to Fill with Water

Just checked the still functioning butt dump on a Halcyon. Still holding air, but 20+ years old. The rubber seal was rotting away. Would not have lasted much longer. Likely would have leaked before it completely went bad.
Easy to replace. Had a spare.
by fmerkel
Mon Aug 03, 2020 7:29 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: Jellyfish Stings and Weirdness
Replies: 11
Views: 4015

Re: Jellyfish Stings and Weirdness

I absolutely disagree with vinegar, doesn't work, at all. Nada, nope, useless. Even DAN agrees. They have pulled their recommendation for it. Now obviously this is a one time personal experience, and like bee stings, you're experience may vary. In terms of @60south experience I would look VERY caref...
by fmerkel
Sat Mar 07, 2020 9:05 am
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: March came in like a lamb at Skyline
Replies: 7
Views: 3385

Re: March came in like a lamb at Skyline

Good to hear. Nice photos.
by fmerkel
Sat Mar 07, 2020 9:04 am
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: Update DAN Insurance for over 70 in Wa. State
Replies: 1
Views: 1662

Re: Update DAN Insurance for over 70 in Wa. State

Good review. Some of us at MBDC have been doing similar investigation and came up with the same data. I got 'dumped' last month, and that only because I was grandfathered in.
by fmerkel
Mon Mar 02, 2020 1:30 pm
Forum: Dive Planning
Topic: DIW access
Replies: 17
Views: 7042

Re: DIW access

Bandito and a tow rope? Good PR, not as good for business. Tug of war with about 20 divers at low tide to twist the tips out into the water? Way too big to move the base. These are not your regular driftwood logs you can step over. They have a very large root ball which elevates the trunk to high wa...
by fmerkel
Thu Feb 27, 2020 5:58 pm
Forum: Dive Planning
Topic: DIW access
Replies: 17
Views: 7042

Re: DIW access

This site is bordered on the north by "Mr. Angry". I'm sure he's disappointed that the entire access is not blocked. He's historically been adversarial. The folks on the south have been friendly in the past. I did not get to talk to them on the dive as they were not home. I would hope they...
by fmerkel
Sat Feb 22, 2020 4:32 pm
Forum: Dive Planning
Topic: DIW access
Replies: 17
Views: 7042

DIW access

Anyone from the Tacoma area have a big chainsaw and associate knowledge to use it without harming yourself? Just did a DIW dive (lousy viz, great current, but this is not the story.) King tides and probably storms from the SW have put 2 HUGE, REALLY HUGE driftwood trees completely across the access....
by fmerkel
Wed Jan 08, 2020 7:44 am
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Bonaire, December 2019
Replies: 10
Views: 4247

Re: Bonaire, December 2019

I was referring to the flamingo pix. You see similar pix on the way to Lac Cai. But you can also see them way down south and some places way up north. Those look like south now that I look at them again.
by fmerkel
Thu Jan 02, 2020 6:29 pm
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Bonaire, December 2019
Replies: 10
Views: 4247

Re: Bonaire, December 2019

Nice summary with pix to match. Looks like you did at least some east side diving? At least it's a site I don't recognize. If so, how did that go?
by fmerkel
Fri Dec 13, 2019 8:20 am
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: Dive Insurance ....
Replies: 12
Views: 4648

Re: Dive Insurance ....

I believe this is a Washington State insurance regulation problem, not a DAN problem. DAN uses another insurance carrier for the actual insurance. That carrier changed the rule to exclude age 71 and older. If you already had coverage and crossed 71 years, DAN has been grandfathering those divers in...
by fmerkel
Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:01 am
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: Student looking for divers to interview
Replies: 1
Views: 2061

Re: Student looking for divers to interview

My wife and I went out with Manjari for the interview. As indicated it took about 10-15". She she's an interesting and fun person.
by fmerkel
Sat Nov 16, 2019 8:32 am
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: Student looking for divers to interview
Replies: 1
Views: 2061

Student looking for divers to interview

The Marker Buoy Dive Club was contacted by Aquarium Volunteer and UW student looking for divers for to interview for her Master's Thesis and Aquarium project. This is her posting and contact info. Really nice young lady and diver. I recommend taking a short time to support her. Fritz I am a second-y...
by fmerkel
Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:55 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: My Diving Accident End of June
Replies: 14
Views: 5676

Re: My Diving Accident End of June

Very informative report on a nasty situation. Damn!!!
Hope the transplant takes and heals well.
by fmerkel
Tue Aug 13, 2019 8:20 am
Forum: Buy/Sell/Trade Dive Gear
Topic: HOG D1 First and Second Stage Regs -- SOLD
Replies: 4
Views: 2088

Re: HOG D1 First and Second Stage Regs, $20

Happy to take the Hogs. PM sent.
by fmerkel
Fri Aug 09, 2019 3:46 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: IST Ear cover mask- Water in ear help.
Replies: 7
Views: 2469

Re: IST Ear cover mask- Water in ear help.

I use a combination of the Docs PP, and ear beer = 50:50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar. The alcohol cuts the surface tension to allow the water in the ear to run out easier and dry more readily. The vinegar residual creates a hostile pH environment for the organisms most likely to start...
by fmerkel
Thu Aug 08, 2019 6:59 am
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: IST Ear cover mask- Water in ear help.
Replies: 7
Views: 2469

Re: IST Ear cover mask- Water in ear help.

Either Docs Proplugs (proper fitting is important), or JBL Hydroseal earplugs.
This thread in Scubaboard is a short synopsis. https://www.scubaboard.com/community/th ... st-8717460
by fmerkel
Wed Jul 17, 2019 5:31 am
Forum: Introductions (New Visitors, Start Here)
Topic: Old Diver, New Area
Replies: 6
Views: 2975

Re: Old Diver, New Area

Took out a very experienced CA diver on 2 local dives. He wore a 3mm shorty under a 7mm Farmer. He was blue for about 30" after the dives.
Almost no one actually continues diving routinely year around here with a wetsuit.
by fmerkel
Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:54 am
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Viz Reports Thread
Replies: 3235
Views: 637500

Re: Viz Reports Thread

Deception Pass viz yesterday was awful. There was a west wind blowing thru the pass, stirring up silt and sand and kelp into the channel. Good to know that west wind will likely equal poor viz in the future! Were conditions as bad as the cancelled dive 4/27/19? Waves were 2'+ by the time we left. G...
by fmerkel
Sun Jun 16, 2019 12:49 pm
Forum: Technical Support
Topic: Infrared Computer Download - Win10 ver 1903
Replies: 2
Views: 8617

Re: Infrared Computer Download - Win10 ver 1903

Been working with a guy in the MS forum: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum This is the thread, page 3:https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/infrared-not-recognized/3a1067d3-6e58-40db-9d23-b855c51cdb0e?page=3 You can get a lot more info if you are willing to dig throug...