East West
Contributor
I met John 15 years ago after posting in the buddy finder of the Cal . diving newspaper. The post said looking for a buddy to do some extended range diving . Back then technical was not a coined phrase yet. He called me and rattled off a list of wrecks that he dove as to qualify for a diver with a big ego . We met at the dock and hit it off from the beginning . I have a way in general not to ask questions of personal nature or dive qualifications. So the story goes John was a hell a good diver but had a bad temper . He had more gear than you could believe . Who needs two DPV,s four Poseidon and other regulators , eight HP tanks and a lot more . I almost had as much gear so we became good dive buddies . I think I just began to dive doubles and he was more experienced with decompression diving . We were a well rounded team from hunting to decompression . We loved lobster season so did many night dives . Opening night of lobster season is a ritual for divers with high expectations to bag that trophy size bug . We were anchored up early so to keep are area reserved . I had some bad blood with some other divers which was somewhat my fault . Look who comes up and throws anchor near us a half hour before midnight . Profanities are flying back and forth and John is simmering almost ready to catch fire . We decided to jump in early and they began to suit up and were in the water a few minutes after us . John mentioned he was going to cut their anchor line and I warned him against this action . Somehow he ascended to the barge on their side which was probably his plan . He met up with one of them and it was was a mistake to give John the finger . Did he think the water would cool him off . John went on fire swam full speed and punched him square in the chest . I think he had a moment clarity . Do not fight back and swim as fast as you can from him . They pulled anchor and left in a hurry . I sure hope you are OK John . I Have not seen you in many years .