Blue Planet Earth & Dive Newsletter

For the summer, that is. We trekked up the hill last Sunday, sort of on a fact finding mission for the Project AWARE dive in September and we stumbled on some great diving that is only an hour away. It is a perfect place for check out dives. Donna, one of our newer students has done Fort Bragg and Scotts Flat and was not very impressed. She was stoked with Donner. The water was 65 F and the viz was 80+ feet. There is a day use area with picnic tables and chairs and a b-b-q pit - bring some goodies for lunch. The lake is packed with crawdads, so we took the liberty of lowering their numbers slightly - they were boiled, shucked and enjoyed. We are, for the rest of the warm part of the year, going to continue with Donner as a “good dive spot”. All are welcome - check our activity board for dates .

It’s on the last Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at Larry and Lena’s Pizza ( 272.1094/on the corner of Hwy. 49 and Alta Sierra/near Sheidel‘s) It’s a good excuse to get together to eat, drink and plan dive destinations or yak about the ones we have been to. The turnouts have been good - about 20/30 people - and it keeps you involved and diving. Jan compiled photo albums of past trips along with outstanding video. Great Fun!!!

The store has gone through an amazing metamorphosis in the past weeks. The start was a little slow - what with all the trips that we had going, but it is now coming together . Most people that walk through the door (that is ones that have been here before) go WOW! It boggles the mind to think that all the Stuff that we have on display once fit in the old front room. It was not apparent to those of us that worked here, but it must have been like walking into a cave. We now have light and air. We have divided the floor space into distinct specialties - the front room being basic snorkling and scuba merchandize with the back area being what Dale calls the “tech area” - you know underwater buddy phones, dry suits, regulators and air source, etc. The old shop area is now a classroom and coffee station, with the rental and compressor area staying just that. We had so much help and encouragement from so many people that it was and is still overwhelming. To name a few: Kelly and Trevor gave the inside and outside a facelift, Jan organized and displayed, Stephanie laid the carpeting, Tony painted the mural wall, Sir Lonnie painted the mural, Dale was and is the Felix Unger of Blue Planet, Jordan came up with some great display and business ideas, Jean-Luc and his buddies did major trash patrol, there were lots of pop-ins with oohs and aaahs and even the manager of Eldorado Savings had her words of praise. The landlord, of course, loves the revamp. Mitch and I cannot thank all involved enough. It has been a revelation to both of us - we are indeed very lucky to have such a super bunch of friends that feel like extended family. We could certainly not have been able to accomplish the expansion as smoothly and effectively with out all of you. Thanks to one and all.

Well Gang, for those that did not join us in Catalina, it was absolutely awesome. The diving was spectacular, with visiblility around 75’ - which is somewhat better than Fort Bragg or Monterey, huh? The day of baot diving was great, with plenty of lobster, moray eels, horn sharks, McFuts (Multi-Coloured Fish of Unknown Types) and or course, the ever present and friendly Garibaldi. We even spotted a Spanish Shawl, which is a beautiful little nudibranch of neon purple and orange. The boat crew was friendly and professional. The day of shore diving was just as fun at the Avalon Scuba Park. I know what you’re thinking -”how fun could a scuba park be - that is visited by hundreds of divers every month - right? It was great!!! It is loaded with fish of all types. We dove a cool wreck, had a great wall dive and managed to stumble across the memorial to Jacques Cousteau - he gave us the key to the “silent world” and the memorial was understated enough to be a neat find on our dive. What a great place for a night dive. (Incidentally, those of you who did the night dive can receive credit for it towards your advanced course).

A formal apology is proffered to those who had the misfortune to be booked into the hotel establishment affectionately known by the boat crew at the “Slumosa” (for Hermosa). Hey, we told you that we had never been there before, right? Still, Janet, Jordan and Gary - you have my sincere apology. We will try and make up for it on the next trip. Besides, it adds a little humor and character to the trip, right? (says he who did not stay there). As you know, our accommodations were not exactly the Ritz either, but at least we had a bathroom in the room. Our hotel was known as the “Ratwater”. It was old, but clean and actually sufficient for me considering the amount of time that I actually spend in the room anyway. And hey, it gives us all stories to tell - especially, the “hissyfits a la Beverley & Jan”, which I am sure you can imagine. All things considered, I would take the trip again and stay at a different hotel.

A heartfelt welcome to all new students and new divers. One thing I can promise you, is that when you come on a trip with us you won’t be bored.

Went to Maui in early July, Just (of course) to attend a one week medical conference. As conferences go, it was a good one: informative and nice scenery. Naturally there was a plethora (I.e. lots) of other things to do on Maui and diving might just be one of them.

Last year, same time, I hooked up with Boss Frogs Dive shop and did my second non-certified “Discovery Dive”. We (my daughter and I) headed to Molokini Crater - the water was crystal clear and there were lots of fish, eels and a few green turtles to see. A 30’ minute dive culminated with lunch (it’s always cold cuts) and we headed home. Overall, a nice dive but we had to stay real close to the dive instructor and most of the equipment did not fit well. I’ll do better next time, I thought (maybe there’ll be a next time).

So, this was the next time. Now certified via BPDS, I hooked up, this time, with Maui Dive Shop. They were professional and organized. I chose a two tank dive - given my recent certification - instead of the one-tank wall diver which seemed more difficult. This time, I had at least some of my own stuff (mask snorkel, boots, fins, gloves and weight belt), which reminds me, don’t pack your belt. Leave it home. It’s just too inconvenient to drag around. I rented BCD and reg. They supplied tanks, a farmer john, a shorty top and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo to keep your mask clear. Prior to the dive I took in some fluids, swallowed some fear and it was “out-I-go”. We followed the anchor line down to the 80’ coral bottom and you could see every bubble go all the way up - slightly different from Ft. Bragg. Again the usual wide array of fish, eels and green turtles. I need to brush up on my fish ID stuff, as you can see. The whole thing was magical: the equipment worked well and the dive master was around, (not hovering) to make sure you caught all the cool stuff to see. After about 30 minutes, including some wait time at 15’ we ere back on the boat and it was lunch time. Guess what we had? Yes, cold cuts. While we were all reliving the experience for about the next hour, the staff went about changing the tanks and checking gear. Next was a wreck dive to about 70’. Again we took the line down and Although not the Titanic, it was still spectacular with visibility, about forever. We got to go in the wreck, carefully following the dive master through. Not much inside, but [pretty dark and silty. Once out, the usual fauna was visible: no sharks, but some interesting frog fish. Reluctantly, after about 40 minutes it was time to go - some snacks to consume and a short ride home. Overall, a much better dive experience for about $120.00 and not bad for a novice diver - eh? But will there be a next time?, the famous Molokini wall dive?, just tune in to find out.

Thank you…. We would like to thank Mr. Ken White of Grass Valley Printers on Main Street and dive buddy for doing the marvelous print job. Scuba Bums is written in house, sometimes under duress, but with pleasure.

Altitude diving is defined as diving in bodies of water above 1000 feet in elevation. Most divers initially conclude that such conditions only exist in mountainous areas. In fact, a significant amount of the continent west of the Mississippi is above 1000’ and thus qualifies as altitude diving. So what is so different about this type of diving. Part of the answer is: if we go as deep and stay as long as we when diving at sea level, our suseptibility to decompression sickness (DCS) is greatly increased. This is because the atmospheric pressure and the sorresponding ambient pressure is far less at altitude than the corresponding 14.7 psi experienced at sea level. At 5,280 feet (Denver) the ambient pressure is 12.2 psi and at 18,000’ the pressure is reduced to half of that at sea level. Our bodies absorb and release nitrogen based on ambient pressure. Therefore, the values displayed on standard sea level dive tables - including no decompression limts - do not apply at altitudes over 1000 feet. There are various ways to correct this and we are going to look at a Theoretical Depth at Altitude (TDA) table that is used by PADI and in conjunction with a standard sea level table. The TDA lists actual depths in 10’ increments and the corresponding theoretical depths for each of ten 1000’ ranges. For example, if you dive 80’ at 3000’ above sea level, your theoretical depth on the conversion table is 89’. To plan the dive, determine your repetitive dive group or calculate your residual nitrogen time, you apply the depth of 89’ to a standard sea level dive table. If the 80’ dive had

been conducted at 6,000’ the theoretical depth would be 100’. As you go higher in altitude, the theoretical depth for a given actual depth gets deeper. Dive computers that calibrate altitude automatically, make all of this a lot simpler. Ascent at altitude needs a little concern. At altitude the 1-foot-per -second ascent rate recommended at sea level is dangerously fast. The I’ per second at 6000’ becomes 1.5’ per second at sea level. It is recommended that on any dive above 1,000’ your ascent rate be no faster that 30’ per minute - so slow down. Safety stop are done differnetly at altitude. If you nornally stop at 15’ at sea level, you stop needs to be a little shallower at altitude. As you go higher in altitude the stop depths get shallower. Some equipment performs differently at altitude because of reduced ambient presssure, but we will get into that and some other issues reltaed to this topic next time. Remember that when travelling from lower to high elevations for a dive, it is like surfacing from a dive, even though you have not been in the water in days. The nitrogen inside your body takes the form of residual nitrogen and is a factor when planning you altitude dive. You have two choices. You can delay the start of the dive until you have off-gassed (+- 6 hours) or you can take into account the residual nitrogen and plan the dive as a repetitive dive. The greater the change in elevation, the more residual nitrogen you must take into account. We are always altitude diving up here, so take heed.

Calling….Mr Ray Boucher!!!! We understand that you have not been diving. I know you read the newsletter, so you do get a reminder at least every 4 to 5 to 6 weeks. We have expanded and go diving at least once a week and you know you are more than welcome to join us. You …..so, what’s the haps man???

The class starts at 6:00 p.m. at the shop. The course fee is $125.00. The course consists of a number of dives, some instruction, minor equipment repair instruction - all tailored to make you a better and safer diver. We have had a number of inquiries for CPR/First Aid Training. The course runs 2 classes (7 hours total) at a cost of $45.00 per person. Upon completion of the course, you would be a PADI certified CPR/First Aid Medic, which is recognized by the American Heart Association. CPR/FA is a requirement as you advance your PADI diving certification - it is a good practice to master, whether you advance your dive career or not.

August 26/27 - Certification dive in Monterey - hotel reservations need to be made. All are welcome.

September 9 - Ft. Bragg. We have chartered a 28’ Mako out of Albion from which we will be able to salmon fish, ab dive, scuba dive. The cost is $120.00 p/p. Space is limited - so sign up right away.

September 16 - Project A.W.A.R.E. clean-up at Donner Lake. Contact the office for more definite info, but the plan is to camp out for the weekend - U.S. Forest Service has said that they would give us free sites, Jordan & Janet Horowitz have organized horse riding for after the dive for any interested, and a b-b-q in the evening - promises to be a great week- end. For those still in the dark, this is an International Cleanup day , with participation from over 100 countries worldwide.

Many of you, if not most, have been asked what you thought about the dive club purchasing a COMFORTABLE bus to facilitate going on trips together. The unanimous response has been in favor of the idea. We are looking at a bus with high back reclining seats, air conditioning, and stereo, and plenty of storage for dive gear. There has already been talk of installing a refrigerator, television and VCR and we don’t even have the bus yet. In general, the subject has been greeted with enthusiasm. I know it would have made our recent trip to Catalina even more enjoyable.

In order for us to purchase and maintain a bus, we would have to charge dues to be a member of the dive club, which is something we have never done before. There have been some suggestions regarding this and here are the basics:

There will be a one-time charge as an initiation fee of $75.00 per individual or $125.00 per couple.

Dive club members receive a 5% discount on store merchandise (some items are excluded from this like tanks, weights and biofins ).

With the addition of the bus, low cost transportation to and from the dive sites.

The general response to the above has been favorable. If you have any ideas, as always, we want to hear them.

Of course, the monies contributed will be kept in a separate account for dive club use only and the books will be open for any members review. Quarterly statements of account will be given at club meetings.

This is something that will enhance our club and make things more fun, My personal feeling is that we should go for it.

1425 East Main St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
$75.00 single     $125.00 family
+25.00 annual    $35.00 annual
$100.00              $160.00

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20	21	22	23	24	25	26 DIVE
27 DIVE	28	29	30	31 PIZZA

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3	4	5	6	7 CPR	8	9 Bragg Bragg
10	11	12	13	14 CPR	15	16 DIVE
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29 M	30 E	31 X	I	C	O	!!!!!