Veteran’s Park, Redondo Beach, CA

Dove with Instructor John, Ron T. and John’s Open Water student Dr. Smith.*

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 800 psi
Max depth: 100 feet
Waves: 1-4 feet
Visibility: 10 feet, maybe 15.
Water Temperature: Sort of cold.
Total Bottom Time: 35 minutes
Notable Event: My regulator started free flowing at 90 feet.
*Open Water Student name has been changed.

Ron and I “Dive Mastered” (on shore) the first dive and sent Jake (A rescue student) out to rescue an orange signal sausage.

Jake went out for a swim before his “rescue” so he was too tired to make the second dive.

So for the second dive, Instructor John, Ron T., Dr. Smith and I submerged around 10:30 AM – I’m guessing.

John gave Dr. Smith his basic skills checkout.

When Dr. Smith did his emergency exit, everyone surfaced except me.

I was congested and was surprised that I didn’t have a problem getting down – I did take some Sudafed.

John and Dr. Smith went in, Ron came back down and I motioned to him that I would follow.

Annoying a few local crabs on the way down, I followed Ron to 100 feet.

Ron’s computer didn’t work; I think he forgot to turn it on.

We just took it slow, trying to find anything worthwhile.

All of a sudden, I heard this “Pop! pssst….pssst…”

“Oh fuck!,” I thought.

It sounded like a broken hose; I looked at Ron, he was OK and oblivious to what I had heard.

I looked at my gauges, they were fine – we were at 90 feet.

I was afraid to take a breath because I feared inhaling water – my cheeks kept inflating – my rig was free flowing!

I pressed the purge valve a few times and that stopped it.

My heart was about to jump out of my chest.

The rest of the dive went along pretty uneventful – that’s a good thing!

We slowly made it back up the shelf, spending more than enough time as a safety stop.

I walked ashore, slipping on the sand step; I picked myself back up.

We met John and Dr. Smith back in the parking lot.

Dr. Smith passed his OW class and invited us all out for a few drinks to celebrate.

We politely declined; that’s not something I would usually do, but I could not cut this day short.

We sat around and talked about how working for Hollywood sucks.

I believe Dr. Smith works as a grip.

Long Point, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
(aka The Old Marineland)

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 600 psi
Max depth: 65 feet
Waves: 1-2 feet, calm
Visibility: 10-15 feet. Maybe 20 in some places
Water Temperature: Cool, I got cold at times; I’m going to guess 55 degrees Fahrenheit
Total Bottom Time: 50 minutes

I was suppose to help with an Open Water class with Instructor John, but there was a bike race at Redondo Beach and the lot at Vet’s was blocked.

John canceled class the night before.

So, it was off to the Old Marineland for me.

The Divevets were there with some Pacific Wilderness groupies and Sandeaters.

I’m guessing some 30 plus divers were there.

The water was calm; I went off the Point and made a really easy entry.

I went to the right a ways after submerging.

I saw a lobster and grabbed for it.

I missed, but I don’t have a fishing license for this year yet anyways; I would not have been able to keep it.

The vis was pretty good, about 10-15 feet; 20 feet in some places.

There seemed to be a slight current heading North toward the cove.

I sort of drifted that way.

I thought I was close to the Point when I surfaced to get my bearings.

I traveled quite a ways – mostly because I kept kicking to stay warm.

I exited with no problem.

It was so calm, I accidentally swam up to the rocks where it was too shallow to remove my fins.

I crawled up on “friendship rock” and took them off.

The Divevets had a huge beer and barbecue party!

Al (of Dennis, Fred and Al), whom this group calls “Reverend Al” invited me over for a beer and a hotdog.

There were a lot of people partaking in the barbecue and beer festival – not only SCUBA divers, but fishermen and sight seers.

I actually socialized with people that I didn’t know!

I’ll definitely be coming back for the next one, I hope!

I posted a “thank you” to the Divevets’ message board for their hospitality.