Divers: Mike B., Charles S., me and later Mike S.
Plan: Mike B. and Charles S. testing their SM kits with Al 80’s for the upcoming Cocodrillo push and me just having fun.
Dives 1 and 2: After a good night’s sleep at Bill Rennaker's place we headed to OG for a “welcome back dive.” We were feeling secured in our diving just knowing that Mike B. was prepared for an out-of – comb situation in that he had a backup one on a long hose. Vis was great and duckweed plentiful judging by Mike’s green hair. We performed a very good dive for 1 hour. After an in-water surface interval we did a recalculation of thirds and went to lower Orange to have a look around. After 24 minutes we returned to the surface with grins on all of our faces coupled with perfectly combed hair ready for more.
Dives 3, 4 and 5: After a good meal and a much needed tank fill, we headed to Peacock I. We did a very good dive to 500’ in before turning on thirds. We once again recalculated thirds and went up Peanut to the breakdown room. After surfacing I “encouraged” Mike B. to do another dive up Peanut. On this dive we took a friend, Murphy. We hit the breakdown room within 8 minutes. Well, Murphy decided to chime in by having my primary light go out. No worry, Mike is ahead and I can see his light. I stowed the light head and reach for my backup light. Darn, the lens cover comes off. Well, I decided to stow it in my hip pocket so as not to lose it. Mike is still going and the cave fades to black. I deploy the second backup light as Mike meets me. I show him the light and we head out uneventful. (So, this is the way it happens; low on gas, primary fails, a moment of separation and my backup light has complications.) We retire to the trailer for rest after dinner.
Dive 6 and 7: Another diver, Mike S. joins us at OG the next day. Mike B. and Charles decided to work on gear as Mike S. and I start the dive. We had a very pleasant dive to 1200’ for 54 minutes and exited uneventful. Post OG we went down to lower, lower OG for a look. We exited after 37 minutes and a max depth of 102’. We had a great time and finished the dive.
Dive 8: After topping off the tanks and stomachs we head back to Peacock I. Mike S. and I dove Peacock I and made it to 800’. I turn the dive due to “line only vis” at the back of the cave. On the way back out we are overtaken by two SM divers, (maybe a class), who are going very fast and their fin kicks were kicking up leaves. I think that we have found the source of the low vis.
Dive 9: With Mike S. with his family, he calls to inform us that he will not be diving today. We join up with Sandy, another Cocodrillo push diver and head into Peacock I. All had a very good dive to around 700’ before calling thirds. We finished the dive, after recalculating thirds, in Peanut to the breakdown room.
I trust that each and everyone had a good time, I know that I did. OBTW, I was diving my new Hollis dry suit and F1 fins. I really cannot say enough great things about them. They performed spot on each and every dive.
