Bird Rock, Catalina Island
Diving Off The Mr. C with the Divevets

Solo diving

In With: 2900 psi
Out With: 700psi
Max depth: 80 feet
Waves: Insignificant, some boat wake
Visibility: 25 feet
Water Temperature: Probably mid-50’s. The air temperature was 38 degrees Fahrenheit when the boat left the dock.
Total Bottom Time: 40 minutes

I’ve been sick for the last three weeks with a cold.

I was very congested and took about three or four Sudafeds before getting on the boat.

The stupid California Fascist government makes you sign a book when you buy Sudafed now; “Harry Potter” purchased my stash.

The boat left a few minutes after 7 AM.

The Divevets that I recognized – Bob, Shanon. Mirek (first time meeting him in person) and Joe (aka “Cabin Boy”).

Others on the boat claimed to be Divevets.

Apparently the Mr. C was leaking slightly and one of the bilge pumps didn’t work, so the Captain had to slow the boat down.

It took two and a half hours to get to our first destination.

So Bird Rock…

I was the first one overboard; I had to call the Divemaster over and let him know that “number seven is going over.”

I swam to the anchor line and planned a very painful submersion.

The Sudafed did the trick; in no time I was down with little discomfort.

I went away from the shoreline (I forget the compass direction), through a nice kelp bed and down a steep cliff of rocks.

I saw many lobsters hiding in the rocks at 80 feet.

I saw two antennas sticking out between two rocks; I got closer and looked down.

The bug that I was looking at was about the size of a small dog!

I came across and collected some nice, shiny abalone shells.

I started back to the boat.

I heard the engine, but couldn’t quite spot it.

I had reverse blockage coming back up and got very dizzy.

When I broke surface, I was about 20 yards away from the boat.

I submerged again for the short swim to the back of the boat.

Taking my fins off, my left boot ripped.