Once again, I was called upon to use my advanced Dive Mastering abilities to make sure all the participants at the Gold Star Dive would be safe.

I also couldn’t turn down the pay – a T-shirt, free food, free water and the ability to write off transportation as a charitable contribution.

Registration begins along with food sales.

Divers prepare to enter.

As I mentioned in previous posts, The Gold Star Dive is a charity event that benefits the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber and the LA County Sheriffs’ S.T.A.R. program.

Participants paid $55 to register.

At a particular time, a canon fires and SCUBA and free divers then try and find one gold star that corresponds to a later prize; a raffle is also held.

The participants are briefed on the event and safety.

The 2008 Gold Star Safety Crew; I am the guy in the back row wearing the cool green hat.

I was going to be on the rocks with a lifeguard can and snorkeling equipment.

We had people working the stairs, in the water and on kayaks; others reconciled C-cards.

Do I look macho holding a lifeguard can, or what?

The event started with the firing of the canon; a few free divers plunged down and came up with stars they had spotted previously.

So there I sat, on a rock, fins on, can in hand scanning the water for trouble.

I know that many participants are new or only dive on occasion.

A signal for help is an overhand wave of the arm; a surface “OK” sign is placing your hand on top of your head.

How many times did I see a wave, only to hear, “Hi Mom!”

I’m looking, asking divers who seem tired if they’re alright.

Someone yelled, “That diver needs help!”

I looked over, and I saw a big clump of kelp with a waving hand sticking out.

I jumped in the water and swam over; Steve, who was working at the stairs, pointed the diver out to Jake and another safety worker.

I got there first and handed her the can, which she promptly grabbed.

I asked, “Are you just caught in the kelp?”

“Yes, I was about to panic.”

“Don’t do that, you’ll be fine.”

I started untangling and breaking the kelp off her gear.

Jake and the other guy swam over and helped with the process.

She was diving with a group of three; apparently the other two just kept going when she ran in to trouble.

Once free, I tank towed her back to the stairs to an awaiting Steve.

The diver thanked us and apologized for putting us through the trouble, but we told her that she did the right thing and that’s what we’re here for.

I was getting hot sitting on the rock, so I should have thanked her for the swim.

The kayakers towed some tired divers.

Once all the divers were accounted for, Steve and Laurie told us we could leave our posts.

Another rewarding day as a highly paid event safety worker!

I took the early boat back.

Casino Point, Catalina, CA

Solo Diving

In With: 3000 psi
Out With: 500 psi
Max depth: 85 feet
Waves: Mild swells, easy entry and exit off the stairs
Visibility: 15-20 feet, silty
Water Temperature: Cool, maybe 55
Total Bottom Time: 45 minutes

I went to Casino Point to help Dive Master the Gold Star charity event.

I brought everything with me except a tank, which I rented at the scene for $14.

After being really patient waiting my turn to enter off the steps, an Instructor (probably from Sports Chalet) started lecturing the line on how to enter from the stairs.

I ducked under the railing and went out the exit side – nobody was coming in.

I had brought my free diving weight belt because it is easy to carry; it weighs six pounds less.

It was harder getting down than with my heavier belt; I actually grabbed and carried a small rock for added weight in the shallows during this dive.

For Casino Point, vis sucked.

I’ve seen it at 50 feet before, but my last dive at Long Point was better visibility wise.

The elusive Gold Stars are already in place.

It is understood among divers that no pre-event collecting will be done.

Not to be out done by Long Point and Vet’s Park, Casino Point has cinder blocks, too.

Most of my pictures ended up sucking because of the conditions.

I headed East once I was at 70 feet and visited the Sujac.

The Sujac is so well encrusted with sea life and corrosion that I almost swam right past it, until I spotted the hole in the hull.

I went to 85 feet for a short period of time, just so I could count this as a deep dive; I had problems navigating because of a slight case of Nitrogen Narcosis.

Back up the reef, I hung out at 30 feet for a bit to out gas.

A Sheephead smiles for the camera.

There were a lot of divers in the water, but I only ran across a few on my way back…

…when I surfaced, I was on the East side of the park, away from where most of the students go.

I did an easy surface swim back.