Veteran’s Park
Redondo Beach, CA

Dove with Instructor John’s Open Water students Young Biologist, Young Biologist’s Brother and John’s friend Jim.*

In With: 1900 psi
Out With: 800 psi
Max depth: 62 feet
Waves: 1-3 feet
Visibility: 5-10 feet
Water Temperature: 62 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface, 54 degrees Fahrenheit thermo cline.
Total Bottom Time: About 20 minutes
*Student names have been changed.

Gloria had a short fill from the shop, so John turned Young Biologist and her brother over to dive with Jim and me.

Jim led the way; I checked both student’s air before we descended over the shelf.

There was a hell of a thermo-cline, it got really cold!

Once down to 63 feet, Jim checked the students’ air and pointed that we needed to go back.

We turned around and I lead the way towards shore.

We all surfaced about 30 yards out.

Jim said that Young Biologist only had 900 psi when we were at 62 feet.

She was really going through air fast; I’m glad Jim caught that!

Jim and the Young Biologist did a surface swim back to shore.

Her brother and I submerged for the swim; he wanted just to go ashore and not do any more touring.

We came across a Bat Ray; I hit its tail, but it didn’t move.

It was obviously dead.

The student later asked if we could have taken it.

I explained why it’s not a good idea to take fish that’s already dead.

This was a fairly quick dive; John’s group came in after us.

After talking to Archie and Gloria who apparently graduated today, they only plan to go resort diving “about once a year.”

To each his own…

Veteran’s Park
Redondo Beach, CA

Dove with Instructor John, his friend Jim, and John’s Open Water students Archie, Gloria, Young Biologist, and Young Biologist’s Brother.*

In With: 2800 psi
Out With: 1900 psi
Max depth: 40 feet
Waves: 1-3 foot ankle breakers
Visibility: 5-10 feet
Water Temperature: 62 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface, 54 degrees Fahrenheit thermocline.
Total Bottom Time: About 25 minutes
*Student names have been changed.

We geared up rather quickly compared to last weekend.

I was the first one through the surf zone.

I told the group, “I’ll make it past the line of death first;” Gloria found the humor in that.

Archie was tired and had to rest, Jim tank towed Gloria, unknowing to her at first.

This was the “check out” dive.

John was congested, so he had me go up with three of his students during their simulated emergency swimming ascent; I pointed out to Gloria that she needs to exhale as she ascends.

We did a little touring once the basic skills were done.

Coming ashore, I tried helping Archie out, but he was too tired to get up.

He crawled up on to the shore and I helped him take his fins off.