Veteran’s Park
Redondo Beach, CA

Dove with Ed

This was my first time in a month diving; Ed is buying a bar, so he’s been busy.

It was a hot day; about 80 degrees before 10 AM.

I started with 3400 psi of air; Ed had 3000 psi.

We entered the water, it was really rough, 10-12 foot waves.

But, no surfers!

Maybe because there were a lot of SCUBA divers.

We descended to 40 feet and followed the shelf down to 90 feet.

My gauge said 80 feet.

Instructor Ed had two gauges, one said 85 feet, the other (his newly bought one) read 90 feet.

Ed said that he knows what 90 feet feels like, so I’ll go with that.

We swam around at 90 feet for a few minutes.

Ed was acting a little strange and signalled he was going up.

I tried to follow him.

80 feet up is a REALLY long way.

I got to 40 feet and was really tired; I couldn’t see Ed.

At 40 feet I decided to swim toward the beach; I looked at my compass and started swimming West for five minutes.

I don’t know if I was disoriented or just stupid, but I soon realized that I was going the wrong way!

I turned around and went East, DUH!

It was really strange; there were particles in the water that just flew by; I can’t really describe it.

It was like I was floating through a thin soup with glitter.

I eventually ran into the shelf and followed it back up.

I was swimming along the bottom, looked up and saw a spider crab on its hind legs — pinchers out — ready to attack (or, more realistically, defend itself).

It startled me and I swam away.

I thought that if I had my fishing license, I’d go back and get it – Oh, well!

I made it back to shore, but had to crawl up on the beach.

I was in a good position to go up standing, but the waves were too high.

Leo Carrillo State Beach, CA

Dove with Instructor Ed and Sergeant Miller

10:30 AM, 75 degree +, High Tide

We purposely waited until 10:30 for high tide.

Cell phone reception sucks at Leo Carrillo

Went into six foot waves with 2600 psi. Ed wanted us to sink to the bottom and swim, but it was too rough and I was using too much air. At 2300 psi I swam out on top of the waves.

Ed with his spear gun.

Ed and Sergeant Miller rest on the surface.

We went out to the far kelp bed because closer was pea soup visibility.

We went 45 feet down, visibility was 15 feet.

I took pictures with Sergeant Miller; Instructor Ed spear fished solo.

I forgot my gloves; it was cold on the thermocline.

I was afraid to touch anything.

Sergeant Miller underwater in crappy viz.

The waves were very tough getting back on shore.

Sergeant Miller was first, ten minutes later came me, six minutes later came Ed.

The lifeguard helped all of us in.

Ed caught two sheephead and another fish – I’m not sure what kind.

I exited the water with 300 psi.