Casino Point, Catalina, CA

Dove with Instructor John and his Open Water students Leeza, Lou, Bud, Harry and Monfret*

In With: 1700 psi
Out With: 300 psi
Max depth: 60 feet
Waves: Insignificant
Visibility: 20 feet
Water Temperature: Cool
Total Bottom Time: 30 minutes
*Student names have been changed.

I didn’t get a refill on air because John said that 1700 psi should be plenty of air for this dive.

We all went back in the water after a short surface interval.

We followed John to the Jacques Cousteau Memorial then to the barge where we did the traditional “go through the opening in the barge” routine.

With five students, there seems to be always someone who wants to wander off somewhere.

As the dive got longer and longer, I was looking more and more at my gauges – 500 psi.

John was at the front of our student train, but I signaled, “Hey, John, I’m getting low on air here.”

Maybe it was more of a mind-melt, than a hand signal.

I had to reattach one of Leeza’s fins.

I followed everyone in with no problems.

Casino Point, Catalina, CA

Dove with Instructor John and his Open Water students Leeza, Lou, Bud, Harry and Monfret*

In With: 3200 psi
Out With: 1700 psi
Max depth: 35-40 feet
Waves: Insignificant
Visibility: 20 feet
Water Temperature: Cool, getting colder
Total Bottom Time: 36 minutes
*Student names have been changed.

The morning started out great, with everyone showing up for the boat on time.

This dive was just a go down and “check out” the basic skills for everyone – at least all the students.

Harry is a 30 year old plus guy that I helped train in the pool sessions, whose first time under the ocean was today.

Monfret is a deck hand; skinny and young, he was offered a job on a dive boat but wanted to get certified first.

We submerged – I helped Leeza out of some kelp.

John spent most of the time doing basic check-outs, but we at least lucked out and got to see Oscar the giant Sheephead.