![\"Shanon](\"http:\/\/psychosolodiver.com\/wp-content\/dsc01558sl1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSolo Diving<\/p>\n
In With: 3000 psi
\nOut With: 1000 psi
\nMax depth: 85 feet
\nWaves: Hefty three to five foot swells in the surf zone
\nVisibility: 10 feet plus
\nWater Temperature: Cold over the shelf (54 degrees)
\nTotal Bottom Time: 35 minutes
\nNotable Event: Diver slammed in the surf zone; lifeguards and paramedics respond<\/p>\n
I finally have decided to take Wednesday night and dive Veteran’s park.<\/p>\n
Wednesday is the Divevets’ traditional night dive.<\/p>\n
On their message board they said that the first dive would be at 5:30 PM.<\/p>\n
I was geared up and ready to go at 5:30, when the divers just started to show up.<\/p>\n
I was sweating in my wetsuit and decided not to wait for anyone else and just go solo.<\/p>\n
I dawned my BCD, and the middle strap that I had repaired from my last SCUBA dive broke again; I ended up tying the BCD closed.<\/p>\n
The swells in the surf zone were sort of tricky.<\/p>\n
I walked into the surf zone and put my fins on in chest high water with no difficulty.<\/p>\n
Since I tied the two vest pieces together, the jacket was on crooked, so my spare air was falling out of the holder.<\/p>\n
I secured my Spare Air with a D-ring that was hanging lose off my BCD and continued swimming out.<\/p>\n
I submerged to 20 feet and swam West to the edge of the canyon and down.<\/p>\n
I may have gotten off course or something; I leveled out at 70 feet and it took a while to get deeper as I swam.<\/p>\n
Maybe my depth gauge was stuck?<\/p>\n
I swam South a bit and then back, reaching a maximum depth of 85 feet.<\/p>\n
I found a line that went somewhere… I decided to follow it, but it just appeared to follow along the canyon at 70 feet.<\/p>\n
I swam up a bit to 65 feet and ran in to the famous “Vets’ Park Pinnacle.”<\/p>\n
The Pinnacle is nothing more than a collection of cinder blocks, empty air tanks and other trash; it’s very appropriate for such a place.<\/p>\n
Burning down to 1700 psi, I started my way back up the shelf and ran across an orange traffic cone with lines running from it; a laminated label stated, “Please do not remove…”<\/p>\n
I heard a buzzing noise, looked up and saw someone pass by on a scooter; we exchanged waves.<\/p>\n
I slowly swam East, making sure I was under for 35 minutes.<\/p>\n
I ascended and emerged right on target; Shanon and her group were entering for their dive.<\/p>\n
I briefed them on the conditions.<\/p>\n
The swells were picking up, but I managed to make a picture perfect exit, walking ashore.<\/p>\n
Some Japanese tourists videotaped my exit.<\/p>\n
I rinsed my gear off and walked to the Duster; the regular Divevets group were there gearing up for the night run.<\/p>\n
I was debating whether or not I should leave, but then I remembered the traffic back to Long Beach; I decided to stay, slam beer and take pictures of the sunset.<\/p>\n
Divers started entering the water as the sun was starting to set.<\/p>\n
Shanon’s group was exiting the water.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Shanon started running over to another diver who was on all fours trying to crawl out of the surf zone.<\/p>\n
I jogged down the stairs to the sand where Shanon and someone else were assisting this diver who obviously was in some kind of trouble.<\/p>\n
![\"More](\"http:\/\/psychosolodiver.com\/wp-content\/dsc01562sl1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Dan quickly came over to assist.<\/p>\n
The diver appeared exhausted, but was breathing and conscience.<\/p>\n
Lifeguards ran over to help…<\/p>\n
![\"Lifeguards](\"http:\/\/psychosolodiver.com\/wp-content\/dsc01568sl1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Lifeguards](\"http:\/\/psychosolodiver.com\/wp-content\/dsc01570sl1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
I stayed out of their way.<\/p>\n
![\"Everyone](\"http:\/\/psychosolodiver.com\/wp-content\/dsc01607sl1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Soon, the paramedics, more lifeguards and the Fire Department showed up on the scene.<\/p>\n
They gave the diver Oxygen and were standing around asking her questions.<\/p>\n
She eventually stood up, sat in the back of the Lifeguard truck and was driven off somewhere.<\/p>\n
I asked Shanon what had happened.<\/p>\n
She said this diver was new to diving, got thrown, tossed and slammed in the surf zone (aka “Maytagged”), even when she was trying to crawl out.<\/p>\n
Beach diving in these kinds of swells can be very exhausting, and when you’re in the surf zone, the only one that can help you is you.<\/p>\n
Thankfully the diver is alright; she was in great hands with this bunch.<\/p>\n
I drank a few more beers in the parking lot while trying my best to socialize with the other divers, Russell from the group introduced himself.<\/p>\n
The Divevets write up of the night can be found here:<\/p>\n