October 18, 2012

As a result of my much publicized diving trip to Albania, I was honorably invited to be the guest speaker at the October Dive N Surf club meeting.

How could I not refuse?

This is the place that started recreational diving in this area!

And even though they refuse to fill my 30 year old Luxfer Aluminum tanks, that still pass hydro and VIP, I could not refuse a platform on how macho of a diver that I really am.

I spent several hours making a PowerPoint presentation complete with photos and video.

The club announcement went like this –

“Recently Jeff returned from an exploratory dive trip to Albania, and he has agreed to share his excellent photos, and his stories of triumph and misadventure while trying to dive in this former Eastern Bloc country. Since the fall of Albania’s communist regime in 1990, only a few brave westerners have toured this isolated land on the Adriatic Sea, and even fewer have tried to scuba dive there. But that’s just the kind of challenge that inspired Jeff to risk all on a trip to Albania.. and he also heard they have cheap beer there.”

Come see Jeff’s photos and videos, listen to his amusing stories, get his tips on how to plan dive excursions to exotic off-the-beaten-path foreign locations, and listen to his unique philosophy on diving, travel, and living the adventurous life.

By the way, “Jeff” is my real name.

So, anyway I knew they planned on me showing videos, and I verified that the laptop that was going to be provided had PowerPoint.

Well, I didn’t verify that they would actually have an amplification system for the audio on the videos.

Well, there were no speakers – at least nothing that could amplify the sound to an entire room.

I was told by someone that “only four to ten people show up,” so I thought maybe everyone could squeeze tight and listen to the tiny speaker on the laptop.

About 35 people showed up – I think.

I will go with that number, even though it may have been less.

The presentation went well, even though I had tried my best at an impromptu measure to compensate for no fucking audio on the videos.

Over all, it was a “good” presentation from what I heard.

The audience was not able to hear the video narration, the Muslim call to Prayer in Tirana or the Albanian music that accompanied the diving scenes.

I should have brought a fucking megaphone!

Anyway, again, those who are interested in the videos of my trip can find it here:

Jeff In Europe

Thanks to all who attended, and sorry it wasn’t an “excellent” presentation.

One of my favorite local wreck dives!

The Palawan never has disappointed me; when I was offered a spot on the Island Diver to do two dives on this wreck, I had to think- I’m saving for my Albania trip which is only two weeks away.

A Palawan trip will simply lead to less beer being drunk on my vacation.

Realizing that I won’t need cable television while I’m gone, I decided to dive the Palawan and give up TV for a bit.

As usual, it was nothing more than a “sausage fest…”

All the divers, minus Joe R.

Four divers were going to do one long technical dive, me and two others were going to do two recreational limit dives.

I buddied up with Joe R. and another diver – a Palawan virgin; his first time.

We made a quick and uneventful trip to the Palawan.

The three of us descended down the anchor line.

I had a hard time equalizing, my ears really were hurting; if I wasn’t so macho, I may have called the dive.

Joe and the other diver had reached the bottom at 120 feet while I was still at 60.

By the time I got to the bottom, Joe and the other diver had come back to the anchor line; Joe gave me the “up” signal.

All three of us made a slow ascent to the surface.

The other diver basically said, “Deep is not for me, I started to hyperventilate…”

At least he knew at the beginning, instead of letting panic accumulate.

He went back to the boat, Joe and I continued the dive.

Logged SCUBA Dive #408

Dove with Joe R.

The Palawan Wreck, Redondo Beach, CA

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 900 psi
Max depth: 126 feet
Waves: Slightly choppy
Visibility: Up to 40 feet
Water Temperature: 65 degrees, colder at depth
Air Temperature: 75 degrees
Total Bottom Time: 20 minutes or so

We made it to the end of the anchor and swam 25 feet North East, to where we found the bow of the Palawan wreck.

A short glimpse of the colorful bow…

Five minutes later, Joe signaled to start back to the anchor line; I looked at my dive computer – shit!

I was really close to going into deco.

Thanks Joe!

We made it back to the anchor line as the technical divers were coming down.

We did an hour and ten minute surface interval.

The other diver explained that deep wasn’t for him, and that he actually had some anxiety leading up to the dive.

I thanked him for knowing his limits and avoiding what could have snowballed into a tragedy.

I also found out during the surface interval that a fellow diver, red haired Dominic, was involved in an accident and is currently in a medically induced coma.

He was helping the victim of an auto accident when an asshole motorcyclist, who was driving in between cars, ran over him.

I bought my dive computer from Dominic; I am not religious, and only pray when I need something, but he will certainly be in my prayers for a speedy recovery.