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I am absolutely in awe over how obtuse you are. Who the hell do you think
you are talking to? This is me, JT. Dalton didn't write about some of the
details you mention because they didn't happen to him, not because he is
trying to protect our "frail egos" or "cover [anything] up," please! I do
not give a flying f*@% about anyone's ego. Todd and I will be glad to talk
about those details that you say were suspiciously left out, and we plan on
it. We'll talk about *everything.*

Do you think I actually jumped off the boat into 118fsw with no valves on?
If you think that was ever a possibility from me you should have never
invited me on the trips that you have lead. You must not think much of me at
all to even think that a possibility and I must be some sort of super diver
with a SAC rate of almost zero to be able to stay on the bottom for 17
minutes with two off valves and then to continue on my own accord through my
slow ascent/decompression; that would make me some sort of physiological
oddity. Why didn't you just ask me what happened before you came to the
table with your plate full of usual tired misinformed rhetoric? I see that
you are chomping at the bit to confront us and that is amusing. I suggest
you get off your "high horse" before you get knocked off. Your attitude is
sickening. Is this what you do to validate yourself?

Before each dive we have been checking every facet of our gear and ensuring
that it is operational because we subscribe to the belief that what each of
us is carrying belongs to the entire team. After our team checks, everything
on my person was operational and behaving as it should, including my SPG,
the needle never bounced when I took not 3 but 6 breaths from my back up reg
on the surface, the extra 3 breaths were done to satisfy my buddy because he
didn't witness me do it the first time. You have no idea what happened to
me, not the foggiest...do you know how I know this? Because we didn't tell
anyone on the boat what happened to me except that we shared air--we were
intentionally unclear because no one on the boat cared for one another as
evidenced by the completely unprofessional cluster f*@% that later occurred
and the misinformation regarding me that you received from your "drooling
informants."

I have put my heart and soul into this sport because I respect the fact that
the ocean is not my natural environment and that mother nature can be a real
bitch. There was no panic on our parts, a detail that you must have just
made up. Panic will get one killed. Remedying *my* situation went smoothly
because we took the philosophy and the procedures that AG and MHK taught and
used them and that includes the countless hours me and my buddies have spent
in the quarry practicing and preparing for "real dives" and any situations
that arise on those dives. My brief moment of not being able to access my
gas did not even upset me because I knew my buddy, Todd, would be there for
me once I alerted him, and he was in my face instantly watching me make a
reg switch and when he saw I wasn't satisfied with that solution he had gas
in my mouth in seconds and it was executed calmly. There is something to be
said about having a procedure in place to handle would be emergencies. And I
was also aware of the fact that it was an impossibility for me to actually
be out of gas. I can't stress how crucial superb buddy skills are to the
diving system. One interesting aspect of the DIR system is that whether my
equipment failed me or I failed myself there was still another safe way out.

And, JT, I write this knowing full well that you will put this in your
Allyson Clagett email file so that you can throw it back in my face when
it's convenient for you to do so and most probably attempt to poke a hole
through every thing I or my buddies say. What kind of person does that?
Better yet, what kind of *friend* does that? If you actually have some
constructive criticism I will welcome it with open arms but at this point I
am not hopeful that is what your intentions are. I will save you the trouble
of publicly publishing this by doing so myself. If you ever want to have a
real conversation with me, like a mature adult would do, and not the
nonsensical Internet bully email crap that has become your style you have my
phone number. I'll happily speak with you--but I'll never dive with you
again your general attitude sucks and GI is right, yet again, you are
obstinate... but I believe his exact words were hard headed and incapable of
learning.

Happy Internet diving, JT, I know you enjoy it.



-----Original Message-----

From: Capt JT [mailto:captjt@mi*.co*]

Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 4:22 PM

To: dmdalton

Cc: allysonlc@ea*.ne*; toddclagett@ea*.ne*

Subject: Re: Nova Tech Dive Report 7/21/02 & Lessons Learned



Dave, I have read your report and I have been informed by others on the

boat what really went down. I am answering this private and will at this

point keep it that way until you are not able to cover the flack I

suspect will come from the report on techdiver. Several important details

you left out to cover ones egos, shut off valves(not 1 but 2) , panic,

drifting away when no one else had a problem with the current,

ect.......... and are suggesting that the BOAT should have done something

different, when all problems were caused by the divers themselves. Cover

your own egos best you can if any questions start and cover the boat or I

will........I know what really happened, this is one you should not have

posted, you guys are too "thin skinned" to handle a seasoned diver drilling

this report.







At 10:37 AM 7/23/02 -0700, you wrote:

>Trip report:

>

>Sunday, July 21, 2002 found 4 Nova Tech divers diving

>out of Virginia Beach, VA on the Miss Lindsey with

>others with whom they regularly dive of the VB Tech

>group. Nova Tech group divers consisted of Todd

>Clagett and Allyson Clagett diving as a buddy team 1

>and David Dalton, Sr. & David Dalton, Jr. diving as

>buddy team 2. Team 1 is generally more interested in

>artifact recovery and Team 2 leans more toward

>sightseeing.

>

>We arrived at the site of the Eureka (118 fsw) at

>approximately 10:30, geared up and were in the water

>at 11:30. Visibility was a spectacular 70 ft and

>water temps on the bottom were a pleasant 61 degrees,

>with surface temp being much warmer. There was a

>strong current and it was very nice to be using

>scooters to deal with it. More on that later!

>

>Team 1 went right to digging in a hole that wasn't

>more than 15 feet from where the wreck was tied in.

>They left the numerous bottles they unearthed for the

>second dive bringing up just one. Team 2 toured the

>wreck with D1 (Sr) pulling D2 (Jr) with his Gavin

>scooter. D2 carried a camera and shot two rolls which

>are in the process of being developed as I write. The

>clarity of the water allowed one to get a very good

>understanding of the layout of the wreck. Viewing the

>two large anchors on the port side of the bow, at the

>same time was incredible. Both Teams completed their

>planned 40 minute bottom times and required deco and

>got back on board.

>

>Todd advised that he had just broken into a new crate

>of bottles and showed one he had stuffed in his

>pocket, a square bottle of Dr. Prichard's Castoria

>with the good doctor's name and the product name cast

>into the bottle. Although these bottles were from the

>1890's when this ship sunk, D1 is old enough (54) to

>remember taking this patent medicine as a child. It

>was still sold in a square bottle and appeared that

>the only change was from a cork to a screw top.

>

>Todd's discovery generated considerable excitement

>between both teams and both decided to concentrate on

>excavating that hole on the second dive.

>

>Both teams brought bags down to carry back bottles on

>the second dive. Todd, being the master digger with a

>scooter, went to work while the other 3 stuffed the

>bags as he handed out bottles.

>

>About 20 minutes into the dive Allyson developed a

>problem with one of her regs and after the situation

>was handled both teams decided to end the dive. Team

>1 started their ascent and deco and Team 2 hooked up

>the two bags of bottles and started their ascent.

>Rather than hang on the line like a flag in the breeze

>we were doing "drift and run deco". Drift 50 or 60

>feet from the anchor line and then run back to it with

>the scooter, then drift again and repeat, obviously

>only a technique one would employ in good viz.

>Between 40 & 50 feet the current picked up quite a bit

>and we (Team 2) inadvertently drifted out of sight of

>the anchor line. We ran some circular patterns on the

>scooter but to no avail. We settled in, shot a bag,

>completed our deco drift style, and upon completion

>surfaced to find the boat several hundred yards away.

>We dropped down to 15 feet and scootered toward the

>boat for about 2 minutes. We surfaced again and saw

>that we were making progress so we dropped down and

>tried it again. This time I could hear the motor on

>the scooter slowing and realized we were out of juice.

>

>We returned to the surface, and found we were even

>farther away than before. We fully inflated the lift

>bag, hooked up the dive-alerts an honked them and

>flashed the HID light in the direction of the boat.

>

>Todd later advised that he saw us as soon as we

>surfaced but we were not aware of this. Consequently

>we continued to signal and honk. Interestingly no one

>heard the dive alert (other than us!) and the HID

>light (a 10 Watt EE Pro 6) was more visible than the

>yellow lift bag. (Note to self: Never dive in the

>ocean without the HID!)

>

>As we were the last divers in the water the boat

>didn't have to wait TOOOOOOOOO long before coming to

>get us. The mate went in to pull the hook, they

>pulled up the hangbars and gear lines and got

>underway. All of this took about 30 minutes which

>doesn't seem like too long, but when you don't know if

>anyone knows where you are and you re drifting farther

>and farther from the boat, I can assure you it seems

>like much longer!

>

>Lessons learned:

>

>1) Switch batteries on the scooter between dives. If

>we had fresh batteries in the scooter we could have

>made it back to the boat even following our drift

>deco.

>

>2) Make sure you have appropriate signaling devices.

>Lift bag, safety sausage, HID light, dive-alert. On

>the last, while the dive-alert has it's place, which

>is probably in situations where fog blows in and you

>are relatively close to the boat, its not much good at

>longer distances as I have now learned.

>

>Along this same line it would be comforting for the

>team in the water if the boat had someway of signaling

>back that they knew where you were and would come get

>you shortly (Horn, flare, guy in a lime green drysuit

>waving his arms on the top of the boat)!

>

>3) This situation pointed out the need for chase boats

>when diving in strong currents, or for the boat to be

>able to put a float on the anchor line, so they can

>leave to pick up/attend to the divers on a lift bag.

>While the Miss Lindsey has a chase boat it was not

>used in this case. In this case we were able to

>complete our deco, surface and wait to be picked up.

>If a diver was injured or did not have appropriate gas

>to complete his deco (like hanging it off the boat

>instead of carrying it with you) the outcome might not

>have been as favorable.

>

>4) Stay calm. While we were concerned as to whether

>or not anyone knew where we were, we remained calm

>which helped to contribute to the favorable outcome of

>this dive. There was no reason to panic, the water

>was warm, we were in trilam drysuits with thinsulate

>undergarments, we had a 10 watt hid that would burn

>for 5 + hours which would be especially good for

>signaling in the dusk or at night and we had 4 back up

>lights between us. We had just eaten several Miss

>Lindsey "Deco Dogs" before the second dive so our

>nutritional requirements were taken care of (those

>things will stay with you forever!). We were well

>hydrated and I had a P-valve in my drysuit - too bad

>my son did not (You've never seen anyone get out of a

>drysuit and run for the head so fast)!!!!

>

>5) If you are doing a "drift and run" deco, make sure

>you don't lose sight of the anchor line.

>

>All in all, it was an incredible day of diving, great

>weather, great viz, great bottles (yes we still had

>both bags when we got back on the boat), and a very

>worthwhile learning experience. What more could you

>ask for?

>

>Dave Dalton

>

>

>=====

>Dave Dalton

>

>"You just can't show up for "Game Day" and expect to win.

> You've got to go to practice if you want to be ready!"

>

> http://home.earthlink.net/~toddclagett/NovaTech/

>

>__________________________________________________

>Do You Yahoo!?

>Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better

>http://health.yahoo.com

>--

>Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.

>Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.



"You can't learn to dive on the net, sooner or later you have to get in the

water"

Your Guide to Great Wreck Diving along the East Coast & more

Web Site http://www.capt-jt.com/

Email captjt@mi*.co*


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<BODY>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000080>
<P><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I am absolutely in awe over how obtuse =
you are. Who=20
the hell do you think you are talking to? This is me, JT. Dalton didn't =
write=20
about some of the details you mention because they didn't happen to him, =
not=20
because he is trying to protect our "frail egos" or "cover [anything] =
up,"=20
please! I do not give a flying f*@% about anyone's ego. Todd and I will =
be glad=20
to talk about those details that you say were suspiciously left out, and =
we plan=20
on it. We'll talk about *everything.*</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Do you think I actually jumped off the =
boat into=20
118fsw with no valves on? If you think that was ever a possibility from =
me you=20
should have never invited me on the trips that you have lead. You must =
not think=20
much of me at all to even think that a possibility and I must be some =
sort of=20
super diver with a SAC rate of almost zero to be able to stay on the =
bottom for=20
17 minutes with two off valves and then to continue on my own accord =
through my=20
slow ascent/decompression; that would make me some sort of physiological =
oddity.=20
Why didn't you just ask me what happened before you came to the table =
with your=20
plate full of usual tired misinformed rhetoric? I see that you are =
chomping at=20
the bit to confront us and that is amusing. I suggest you get off your =
"high=20
horse" before you get knocked off. Your attitude is sickening. Is this =
what you=20
do to validate yourself? </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Before each dive we have been checking =
every facet of=20
our gear and ensuring that it is operational because we subscribe to the =
belief=20
that what each of us is carrying belongs to the entire team. After our =
team=20
checks, everything on my person was operational and behaving as it =
should,=20
including my SPG, the needle never bounced when I took not 3 but 6 =
breaths from=20
my back up reg on the surface, the extra 3 breaths were done to satisfy =
my buddy=20
because he didn't witness me do it the first time. You have no idea what =

happened to me, not the foggiest...do you know how I know this? Because =
we=20
didn't tell anyone on the boat what happened to me except that we shared =
air--we=20
were intentionally <SPAN class=3D770465621-24072002>unclear</SPAN> =
because no=20
one on the boat cared for one another as evidenced by the completely=20
unprofessional cluster f*@% that later occurred and the misinformation =
regarding=20
me that you received from your "drooling informants." </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I have put my heart and soul into this =
sport because=20
I respect the fact that the ocean is not my natural environment and that =
mother=20
nature can be a real bitch. There was no panic on our parts, a detail =
that you=20
must have just made up. Panic will get one killed. Remedying *my* =
situation went=20
smoothly because we took the philosophy and the procedures that AG and =
MHK=20
taught and used them and that includes the countless hours me and my =
buddies=20
have spent in the quarry practicing and preparing for "real dives" and =
any=20
situations that arise on those dives. My brief moment of not being able =
to=20
access my gas did not even upset me because I knew my buddy, Todd, would =
be=20
there for me once I alerted him, and he was in my face instantly =
watching me=20
make a reg switch and when he saw I wasn't satisfied with that solution =
he had=20
gas in my mouth in seconds and it was executed calmly<SPAN=20
class=3D770465621-24072002>.</SPAN> There is something to be said about =
having a=20
procedure in place to handle would be emergencies. And I was also aware =
of the=20
fact that it was an impossibility for me to actually be out of gas. I =
can't=20
stress how crucial superb buddy skills are to the diving system. One =
interesting=20
aspect of the DIR system is that whether my equipment failed me or I =
failed=20
myself there was still another safe way out.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>And, JT, I write this knowing full well =
that you will=20
put this in your Allyson Clagett email file so that you can throw it =
back in my=20
face when it's convenient for you to do so and most probably attempt to =
poke a=20
hole through every thing I or my buddies say. What kind of person does =
that?=20
Better yet, what kind of *friend* does that? If you actually have some=20
constructive criticism I will welcome it with open arms but at this =
point I am=20
not hopeful that is what your intentions are. I will save you the =
trouble of=20
publicly publishing this by doing so myself. If you ever want to have a =
real=20
conversation with me, like a mature adult would do, and not the =
nonsensical=20
Internet bully email crap that has become your style you have my phone =
number.=20
I'll happily speak with you--but I'll never dive with you again your =
general=20
attitude sucks and GI is right, yet again, you are obstinate... but I =
believe=20
his exact words were hard headed and incapable of learning.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Happy Internet diving, JT, I know you =
enjoy=20
it.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>-----Original =
Message-----</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>From: Capt JT=20
[mailto:captjt@mi*.co*]</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Sent: Tuesday, July 23, =
2002 4:22=20
PM</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>To:
dmdalton</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Cc: =
allysonlc@ea*.ne*;=20
toddclagett@ea*.ne*</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Subject: Re: Nova Tech =
Dive Report=20
7/21/02 & Lessons Learned</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Dave, I have read your =
report and I=20
have been informed by others on the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>boat what really went =
down. I am=20
answering this private and will at this</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>point keep it that way =
until you are=20
not able to cover the flack I</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>suspect will come from =
the report on=20
techdiver. Several important details</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>you left out to cover =
ones egos, shut=20
off valves(not 1 but 2) , panic,</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>drifting away when no one =
else had a=20
problem with the current,</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>ect.......... and are =
suggesting that=20
the BOAT should have done something</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>different, when all =
problems were=20
caused by the divers themselves. Cover</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>your own egos best you =
can if any=20
questions start and cover the boat or I</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>will........I know what =
really=20
happened, this is one you should not have</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>posted, you guys are too =
"thin skinned"=20
to handle a seasoned diver drilling</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>this
report.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>At 10:37 AM 7/23/02 =
-0700, you=20
wrote:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Trip =
report:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Sunday, July 21, 2002 =
found 4 Nova=20
Tech divers diving</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>out of Virginia =
Beach, VA on the=20
Miss Lindsey with</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>others with whom they =
regularly=20
dive of the VB Tech</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>group. Nova Tech =
group divers=20
consisted of Todd</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Clagett and Allyson =
Clagett diving=20
as a buddy team 1</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>and David Dalton, Sr. =
& David=20
Dalton, Jr. diving as</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>buddy team 2. Team 1 =
is generally=20
more interested in</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>artifact recovery and =
Team 2 leans=20
more toward</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 =
size=3D2>>sightseeing.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>We arrived at the =
site of the=20
Eureka (118 fsw) at</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>approximately 10:30, =
geared up and=20
were in the water</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>at 11:30. Visibility =
was a=20
spectacular 70 ft and</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>water temps on the =
bottom were a=20
pleasant 61 degrees,</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>with surface temp =
being much=20
warmer. There was a</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>strong current and it =
was very nice=20
to be using</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>scooters to deal with =
it. More on=20
that later!</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Team 1 went right to =
digging in a=20
hole that wasn't</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>more than 15 feet =
from where the=20
wreck was tied in.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>They left the =
numerous bottles they=20
unearthed for the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>second dive bringing =
up just one.=20
Team 2 toured the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>wreck with D1 (Sr) =
pulling D2 (Jr)=20
with his Gavin</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>scooter. D2 carried a =
camera and=20
shot two rolls which</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>are in the process of =
being=20
developed as I write. The</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>clarity of the water =
allowed one to=20
get a very good</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>understanding of the =
layout of the=20
wreck. Viewing the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>two large anchors on =
the port side=20
of the bow, at the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>same time was =
incredible. Both=20
Teams completed their</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>planned 40 minute =
bottom times and=20
required deco and</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>got back on =
board.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Todd advised that he =
had just=20
broken into a new crate</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>of bottles and showed =
one he had=20
stuffed in his</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>pocket, a square =
bottle of Dr.=20
Prichard's Castoria</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>with the good =
doctor's name and the=20
product name cast</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>into the bottle. =
Although these=20
bottles were from the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>1890's when this ship =
sunk, D1 is=20
old enough (54) to</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>remember taking this =
patent=20
medicine as a child. It</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>was still sold in a =
square bottle=20
and appeared that</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>the only change was =
from a cork to=20
a screw top.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Todd's discovery =
generated=20
considerable excitement</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>between both teams =
and both decided=20
to concentrate on</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>excavating that hole =
on the second=20
dive.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Both teams brought =
bags down to=20
carry back bottles on</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>the second dive. =
Todd, being the=20
master digger with a</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>scooter, went to work =
while the=20
other 3 stuffed the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>bags as he handed out =

bottles.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>About 20 minutes into =
the dive=20
Allyson developed a</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>problem with one of =
her regs and=20
after the situation</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>was handled both =
teams decided to=20
end the dive. Team</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>1 started their =
ascent and deco and=20
Team 2 hooked up</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>the two bags of =
bottles and started=20
their ascent.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Rather than hang on =
the line like a=20
flag in the breeze</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>we were doing "drift =
and run deco".=20
Drift 50 or 60</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>feet from the anchor =
line and then=20
run back to it with</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>the scooter, then =
drift again and=20
repeat, obviously</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>only a technique one =
would employ=20
in good viz.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Between 40 & 50 =
feet the=20
current picked up quite a bit</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>and we (Team 2) =
inadvertently=20
drifted out of sight of</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>the anchor line. We =
ran some=20
circular patterns on the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>scooter but to no =
avail. We settled=20
in, shot a bag,</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>completed our deco =
drift style, and=20
upon completion</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>surfaced to find the =
boat several=20
hundred yards away.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>We dropped down to 15 =
feet and=20
scootered toward the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>boat for about 2 =
minutes. We=20
surfaced again and saw</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>that we were making =
progress so we=20
dropped down and</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>tried it again. This =
time I could=20
hear the motor on</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>the scooter slowing =
and realized we=20
were out of juice.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>We returned to the =
surface, and=20
found we were even</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>farther away than =
before. We fully=20
inflated the lift</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>bag, hooked up the =
dive-alerts an=20
honked them and</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>flashed the HID light =
in the=20
direction of the boat.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Todd later advised =
that he saw us=20
as soon as we</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>surfaced but we were =
not aware of=20
this. Consequently</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>we continued to =
signal and honk.=20
Interestingly no one</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>heard the dive alert =
(other than=20
us!) and the HID</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>light (a 10 Watt EE =
Pro 6) was more=20
visible than the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>yellow lift bag. =
(Note to self:=20
Never dive in the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>ocean without the =
HID!)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>As we were the last =
divers in the=20
water the boat</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>didn't have to wait =
TOOOOOOOOO long=20
before coming to</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>get us. The mate went =
in to pull=20
the hook, they</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>pulled up the =
hangbars and gear=20
lines and got</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>underway. All of this =
took about 30=20
minutes which</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>doesn't seem like too =
long, but=20
when you don't know if</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>anyone knows where =
you are and you=20
re drifting farther</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>and farther from the =
boat, I can=20
assure you it seems</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>like much =
longer!</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Lessons =
learned:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>1) Switch batteries =
on the scooter=20
between dives. If</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>we had fresh =
batteries in the=20
scooter we could have</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>made it back to the =
boat even=20
following our drift</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>deco.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>2) Make sure you have =
appropriate=20
signaling devices.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Lift bag, safety =
sausage, HID=20
light, dive-alert. On</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>the last, while the =
dive-alert has=20
it's place, which</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>is probably in =
situations where fog=20
blows in and you</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>are relatively close =
to the boat,=20
its not much good at</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>longer distances as I =
have now=20
learned.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Along this same line =
it would be=20
comforting for the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>team in the water if =
the boat had=20
someway of signaling</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>back that they knew =
where you were=20
and would come get</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>you shortly (Horn, =
flare, guy in a=20
lime green drysuit</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>waving his arms on =
the top of the=20
boat)!</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>3) This situation =
pointed out the=20
need for chase boats</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>when diving in strong =
currents, or=20
for the boat to be</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>able to put a float =
on the anchor=20
line, so they can</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>leave to pick =
up/attend to the=20
divers on a lift bag.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>While the Miss =
Lindsey has a chase=20
boat it was not</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>used in this case. In =
this case we=20
were able to</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>complete our deco, =
surface and wait=20
to be picked up.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>If a diver was =
injured or did not=20
have appropriate gas</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>to complete his deco =
(like hanging=20
it off the boat</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>instead of carrying =
it with you)=20
the outcome might not</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>have been as =
favorable.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>4) Stay calm. While =
we were=20
concerned as to whether</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>or not anyone knew =
where we were,=20
we remained calm</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>which helped to =
contribute to the=20
favorable outcome of</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>this dive. There was =
no reason to=20
panic, the water</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>was warm, we were in =
trilam=20
drysuits with thinsulate</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>undergarments, we had =
a 10 watt hid=20
that would burn</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>for 5 + hours which =
would be=20
especially good for</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>signaling in the dusk =
or at night=20
and we had 4 back up</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>lights between us. We =
had just=20
eaten several Miss</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Lindsey "Deco Dogs" =
before the=20
second dive so our</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>nutritional =
requirements were taken=20
care of (those</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>things will stay with =
you=20
forever!). We were well</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>hydrated and I had a =
P-valve in my=20
drysuit - too bad</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>my son did not =
(You've never seen=20
anyone get out of a</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>drysuit and run for =
the head so=20
fast)!!!!</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>5) If you are doing a =
"drift and=20
run" deco, make sure</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>you don't lose sight =
of the anchor=20
line.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>All in all, it was an =
incredible=20
day of diving, great</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>weather, great viz, =
great bottles=20
(yes we still had</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>both bags when we got =
back on the=20
boat), and a very</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>worthwhile learning =
experience.=20
What more could you</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>ask
for?</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Dave =
Dalton</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 =
size=3D2>>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Dave =
Dalton</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>"You just can't show =
up for "Game=20
Day" and expect to win.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>> You've got to go to =
practice if=20
you want to be ready!"</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>=20
http://home.earthlink.net/~toddclagett/NovaTech/</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000=20
size=3D2>>__________________________________________________</FONT></P=
>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Do You =
Yahoo!?</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Yahoo! Health - Feel =
better, live=20
better</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 =
size=3D2>>http://health.yahoo.com</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>--</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Send mail for the =
`techdiver'=20
mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>>Send =
subscribe/unsubscribe requests=20
to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>"You can't learn to dive =
on the net,=20
sooner or later you have to get in the</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>water"</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Your Guide to Great Wreck =
Diving along=20
the East Coast & more</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Web Site=20
http://www.capt-jt.com/</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Email=20
captjt@mi*.co*</FONT></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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