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Helping a new SB member get started here, since he hasn't learned the Matrix yet - been there, I know - and asked me for assistance...
I first read of his plans on his Introduction, where I cautioned him on his idea, which I'd do for a 25 year old, but this fellow is over 50. Actually, he reminds me of me a bit, altho not as much of a maverick. Just some. Anyway, we agreed that I'd post our exchange here to help get him started. His part of the PM is in quotes...
Review discussion on his Intro Here
BTW, my initial comments were designed to be alarmist, to hopefully get your attention as well as anyone else considering the ideas...
I first read of his plans on his Introduction, where I cautioned him on his idea, which I'd do for a 25 year old, but this fellow is over 50. Actually, he reminds me of me a bit, altho not as much of a maverick. Just some. Anyway, we agreed that I'd post our exchange here to help get him started. His part of the PM is in quotes...
Review discussion on his Intro Here
BTW, my initial comments were designed to be alarmist, to hopefully get your attention as well as anyone else considering the ideas...
Long story there, but I'm lucky they didn't, as most of the boat was pissed at me by then.boz1950:Ain't you pretty while sleeping? If you were a fellow firefighter, that "pose" may have resulted in a little Tabasco sauce!! It is nice to talk to a fellow Texan. I have kinfolk in Tahoka, Ropesville and Grassland. Yep- cotton farmers. Best people I have ever met.
I hope I'd not freak, and I don't trust buddies - great if they're where they're supposed to be. With the exception of one screwup, I trust my pony bottle. I've never done an emergency ascent, hope I never had to - altho I just may try one this weekend. Practice dives to 84 ft, lots of First Responders on the scene.To give you a short background on me, I was born in s. tx close to corpus christi. Alice to be exact. Not to boor you, but licensed in 70. Made a lot of dives then, but last real dive was in Key West 8 yrs ago. Best trip of my life! was with Bro and his kids. Reg died at 60' and smooth as silk we went to the surface. But I don't want that, but it happens -even with new stuff-and some people freak under pressure!
I agree, need at least two qualified pilots on the boat, minimum one on the boat at all times.Here is the gist of it all. He has been building this 50 ft boat for what seems to be 10 yrs from metal hull up. And I don't know much about sailing. He wants me to take a course before we go-which I have no prob with. Hell- he may die and then I have to figure out how to get home!! ugh--bad thought. But- safety is always first-no matter where we are.
O2 for sure, Defib if you can. BTW, diving deaths do go up at lot after 50 - I'm nearly 60. I take aspirin every morning since my DVT (now there's a dive trip story) and two every morning of diving.While I want to think he has paid attention to all safety concerns- I am not leaving that all up to him because of my training. Meaning I think we need real o2 onboard. While his sweetie is a nurse and I have a lot of medical background, the equipment for us at work was always available( firetrucks and ambulance). So I am contemplating a lot of what I can afford. O2 setup, defib, and so on. If we can afford it, there is not a such think as too safety offshore!
Backpack? We use BCDs or Wings with bladders. Second most likely to kill you if it fails, get good one.All this crap aside, I want new gear also. At min regulator and my backpak sprung a leak blah blah. Been told it is as cheap to buy a new backpak as it is for a new bladder. I do not buy that, but--
Sounds like me, except you are a former diver in need of retraining. Too much has changed.Now here are all my concerns. !st, he is 60 and I am 56. While both of us are licensed divers-as well as other kin that will be with us, I have some real concerns because I have realized I am NOT invincible like I once stupidly thought I was. And believe me, I have really done some DUMB things that prob shouldn't have been attempted by anyone. Well, I have gotten away with so much, I am not gonna push the limit anymore.
I don't know compressors, but ppl here do, and - you can still get help from your old resources, I bet.So all this is getting to compressor stuff. While we had a nice cascade system at work, we left the tech stuff to the contractor. Wish I would have pd more attention then, but never dreamed at that time about having one. I imagine there is a safety thread on the board, but I have just gotten started on all this. So if you you have any "extra" advice, let me know. I have spent hrs now, but----
Great place for practice dives. Aquarena Lake has a volunteer dive program, great buoyancy training!Sorry to be so long. Just wanted to let you know where I am in all of this. Since you offered, I took you up on it. tjb in san marcos tx
Oh lots of good info in the equipment forums, but on the mask - get two, prescription bifocals. I take both on every dive - one on my face, one in my pocket.ps- any preferences in regulators and backpacks?? Tanks?? Al vs steel? Masks too for that matter. Too old to not get the best since getting older is one step closer to the grave. And I have no kids to leave all that firefighter pension to!! I just want to be safe and have fun. THANKS