HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.scuba-l
Date:         Mon, 23 Nov 1992 16:19:00 EDT
From:         ZIBLUK@HARTFORD.BITNET
Subject:      Monterey/Wet Pleasure

Peter Larimer writes:

        I just talked with a friend on the phone who had a near death
experience diving in Monterey with Wet Pleasure (she was taking an advanced
class) and apparently the conditions deteriorated very quickly (heavy surf) and
the 'Instructor' didn't clue in on this  and tried to hold the class anyway.
There were some other classes finishing up at the time the advanced class
started; the instructors for these classes were busy getting their students out
of the water and were incredulous that Wet Pleasure (kurt) was even going in.
I guess this was one of those days that give this area the rep for being a
really hairy shore dive, (Nov.22 about 11:30am).
        Anyway, the 'Instructor' and his buddy (a divemaster) and also his
girlfriend, head in first- the 'Instructor' makes it past the surf line but his
buddy isn't so lucky and gets seperated
from him and otherwise folded, spindled and mutilated but eventually crawls
back to the shore, praising God and Man for her second chance at life.
 Etc...

As an instructor and Dive Shop owner, it alarms me when I read second hand
accounts of "near death experiences".   In any profession, there are some
individuals who excel and others who fall short of expectations, and
unfortunately, this is certainly true in the world diving.  I certainly
agree with your point about being careful about who you select to conduct your
training, but what I do not condone is relating second hand information
as being factual and "death threatening".  A rumor or melo-dramatic
account of a diving experience can easily damage the reputation of an
instructor, his dive shop and manifest itself in loss of income.  In
short, be sure of your facts before you report them.

From what I can see, the instructor (IF PADI) was in no violation of
standards for conducting an advanced open water class.  If however,
your friend was dis-satisfied with the class, have her speak to the
instructor directly.  What is the instructors side?  Remember, the
SCUBA instructor has no control of mother  nature and that you the student
are taking certain risks whenever you dive that the instructor
cannot be held accountable for.    If your friend does not receive a
satisfactory response from the instructor, have her speak to the
shop owner (have other students complained?)  and perhaps repeat the class
with another instructor.  If your friend is still not satisfied and the
instructor is  as irresponsible as your describe him, report him to the
quality assurance department of his association - but only as a last resource.

Regards
Kevin Zibluk
OSWI 56306
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Date:         Wed, 18 Nov 1992 11:36:00 GMT
From:         Energy is eternal delight! <ECNROBINSON@ORBSEN.UCG.IE>
Subject:      compressor training

>
I second this motion!!  Pauls mail does beg the question "Have you actually
been trained in compressor fuctionallity and operation?"  I sincerly hope
so.  If you have not why are you using it??!!!  and if you have why have
you not contacted your service company to get this rectified (if it is
caused by something else apart from the above).

It seems to me that if you are filling tanks that someones life will depend
on you should have a better knowledge of the equipment that you are using!!


Cosma

Thank you for your concern about my training.
I happened to be out in the wilds of Connemara with a group of eleven trainees
and one other instructor.This was 3 days ago.Whilst refilling  a bottle and
blowing of one of the valves, the substance emitted was a dark oily liquid.The
other 2 blow valves emitted the normal white material.Yes I do know how to run
a compressor thank you very much. Its just that I had never noticed  this
before.Anyhow I  did three dives a 25m,a 20 m,and a 15m in about three
hours,with six very eager trainees.
I am still here(if I believe philosophy).No bottles have been filled since then
as the club being a university one only dives at weekends and the ratio of
instructor/trainees is very low.I will get the compressor servised.(there is
probably one place in Ireland capable of doing it a diving isvery much a
minority sport here.
I was just asking a question ,and  did not expect such comments on my ability.
You try running a university club with about 4/5 trained people and 90-100
trainees while studying for a degree at the same time.

Paul

        ::::::|     F A C U L T Y     of    |   PAUL ROBINSON
       :::::::|           :::|              |
      :::/ :::| :::|/::/:::::::/ ::::::/    |   email: ECNROBINSON@ORBSEN.UCG.IE
     :::::::::| :::|      :::|  :::|        |
    :::/   :::| :::|      :::|   :::::\     |   History & Economics
   :::/    :::| :::|      :::|      :::|    |
 ::::/    ::::/ :::/      :::/ /::::::/     |   **      Life's a beach       ***
  U N I V E R S I T Y   C O L L E G E       |   ***     &Then you dive!       **
                G A L W A Y
               I R E L A N D
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Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 10:44:47 EST
From:         "Hugh A. Huntzinger (CCAC-LAD)" <huntzing@PICA.ARMY.MIL>
Subject:      Long .sig blocks

Just a short comment...this is an informal list, and we try to keep the
signal-to-noise ratio high, so please be considerate and try not to
consume bandwidth with long signature (.sig) blocks in your messages.

I mention it because they seem to be growing (again); one message I read
today had a .sig of 17 lines...33% of the total message length.

Thanks,

-hh
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Subject: UUCP Mail
Date: 17 Nov 92 22:07:41 GMT
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UUCP request att!D.att29470a5 to homxa!D.att29470a5
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Reason for failure:
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        remote file system is low on free space
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From: adb@herboid.uucp (Anthony DeBoer)
Subject: Re: compressor training
Organization: Linda's Dragon Memorial Society
Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1992 03:39:51 GMT

Paul Robinson <ECNROBINSON@ORBSEN.UCG.IE> writes:
>... Whilst refilling  a bottle and
>blowing of one of the valves, the substance emitted was a dark oily liquid.The
>other 2 blow valves emitted the normal white material. ...

This could be an extremely dangerous situation, if any oil is getting into
the high-pressure part of the compressor.  What will happen then is the
same thing that happens in a Diesel engine: air and fuel, under sufficient
pressure, will combust, giving carbon monoxide, which is real bad for you
in any significant concentration.  You DON'T want that in your tank.

There was a situation in Ontario a number of years ago in which some
divers got bad air fills from a compressor that was doing this, and
actually passed out within a few breaths after starting to breathe from
their regulators.  With a _lower_ concentration, this could have been a
lot more serious, because it could have happened partway into a dive.

Anytime you can detect an oily taste to your air, or anytime you start
feeling symptoms of carbon monoxide inhalation while on SCUBA (dizziness,
nausea, etc.), look out.  The air should be tested (are there any
testing facilities in Ireland?), and the compressor should get fixed.

I understand that some more modern compressors have a special filter that
can trap small quantities of carbon monoxide, and perhaps give some
indication if such problems are happening.
-- 
Anthony DeBoer   NAUI # Z8800, D5482 | Why watch TV, when Netnews provides
adb@herboid.uucp | adb@geac.com      | 100% of your daily requirement for
uunet!geac!herboid!adb               | trivia and meaningless entertainment?
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Date:         Sun, 15 Nov 1992 14:13:00 EDT
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From:         Norman Kresge <NKRESGE%BROOME@SED.BITNET>
Subject:      RE: BC, which are the best?

Is it too much to ask that those who use the Scuba-l discussion area use
language that is proper and that shows at least a modicum of decency and
breeding, or amd I too old fashioned? Do you think you can get your acts
together enough to use, not abuse, this discussion list.
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Date:         Mon, 16 Nov 1992 13:32:00 EST
From:         "Reef Fish (Large Nassau Grouper)" <RFLNG@CLEMSON.BITNET>
Subject:      Sasha, Taca, etc.

The last times I flew Taca and (Tan) Sasha airlines were 1 and 2 years ago
to Belize City (Belize) and Roatan (Honduras) respectively.

Given the close proximity of those cities, I'm considering a dive trip to
those places again, back to back this time, but not sure whether there're
any airlines that have connecting flights between Belize City and Roatan,
in either direction, on SATURDAYS, because I'm contemplating two consecutive
weeks of liveaboards.  My travel agent and another one I checked haven't
been of much help.  I would appreciate any info from anyone on rec-scuba or
SCUBA-L on that particular connection before I start calling travel agents
around the country.  You may reply publicly or e-mail me in private at

       RFLNG@clemson.bitnet     or     RFLNG@clemson.clemson.edu

Thanks.

-- Bob.
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Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 19:09:47 PST
From:         Tim Chase <A3TC@PSUORVM.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Tiger sharks in Hawaii

Bob, I understand your point of view. Most of the time sharks have better
things to do. However, the event of the past year have me thinking.

My main question is why in waters where people have been swimming for years
to the extent they have in Hawaii, suddenly have 3 very nasty and fatal
Tigar attacks. These were not just bump and run hits, these were feeding
acts that left little or no eviedence of the person involved. There has been
some change in the waters of Hawaii and I would be interested in what they
come up with. I am shure that the folks in Hawaii who need the travel trad
are intrested too.
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Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1992 11:45:55 +0100
From:         Han Weegink <weegink@ICT.NL>
Subject:      time flies ...

>rec-scuba Digest          Mon, 16 Dec 92     Volume  2 : Issue 712
                                ^^^^^^^^^^^^

time flies, when you're having fun B-)
                                   --'
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Date:         Wed, 18 Nov 1992 11:17:00 GMT
From:         Energy is eternal delight! <ECNROBINSON@ORBSEN.UCG.IE>
Subject:      compressor leaking oil

Hello Paul,
           I would be interested to know what make and model of compressor
you are using. When you say one of the valves leaks oil, is this one of
the valves on one of the cylinder stages ? If so which stage ?

Its a bauer compressor.I dont have the exact specs at the minute,but it can
only fill one bottle at a time.

        What type of intercoolers are fitted ? (water / air) It may be
that with time/vibration/heating and cooling that one of the compression
fittings is beginning to leak. (by this I mean the fitting of the pipework
to the cylinder head. A fair amount of oil circulates in the air mixture
while it is in the stages of compression. Are there air bubbles in the oil ?
        I dont know if there are air bubbles in it as it comes out at pressure
when I open a blow off valve.
        In any case, have the people who serviced it have a look, if it
still fills cylinders now it can't be that bad.

        Is this leak coming from a dump valve ?
Yip!

There is no problem with
this happening as oil, water might leak out of here with normal wear of the
valve seat (called gasket by some manufacturers). e.g. on a Bauer K14 fitted
with manual dump valves, a small plastic seat is usually replaced every six
months or so due to heavy hands giving the valve "what for" when they close it.

That could be it,I'll send it in for another going over
Cheers ,

Paul

        ::::::|     F A C U L T Y     of    |   PAUL ROBINSON
       :::::::|           :::|              |
      :::/ :::| :::|/::/:::::::/ ::::::/    |   email: ECNROBINSON@ORBSEN.UCG.IE
     :::::::::| :::|      :::|  :::|        |
    :::/   :::| :::|      :::|   :::::\     |   History & Economics
   :::/    :::| :::|      :::|      :::|    |
 ::::/    ::::/ :::/      :::/ /::::::/     |   **      Life's a beach       ***
  U N I V E R S I T Y   C O L L E G E       |   ***     &Then you dive!       **
                G A L W A Y
               I R E L A N D
From: craig@cattnts.canada.ncr.com (Craig Campbell)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.scuba-l
Subject: Re: ALAN WRIGHT - WHO HATES CRUEL DIVEMASTERS
Date: 12 Nov 92 13:12:22 GMT
Organization: AT&T / NCR Canada Ltd., Toronto, Canada

In article <1992Nov10.181733.22879@gssec.bt.co.uk> awright@gssec.bt.co.uk (Alan Wright) writes:
>
>Okay, assuming both your sources or your 1st stage have packed up
>and just as you start using your buddy's alternate source it gives
>up as well. Now you have to buddy breath. The problem isn't going to
>be buddy breathing, it is going to be panic because three or four
>pieces of equipment have just given up the ghost and you are down to
>your last option. I don't believe that having practised buddy
>breathing 10 times in the last month is going to help. Anticipating
>the reaction - it wouldn't have done any harm.

Boy are you right!!  That last piece better be immune to what killed all the
others, or you're looking into the gill option.  This logic is used by some
divers, resulting in different manufacturers equipment on redundant systems.
Theoretically/hopefully, whatever kills a Poseidon, might not effect a Brut
(just a random example).

>Alan.

craig
-- 
Craig Campbell		|	These opinions are entirely the result of a 
Systems Engineer	|	small butterfly crashing into the far side
NCR Canada,		|	of the planet.  Chaos Rules.
an AT&T Company		|	I speak for no one, except, possibly, myself.
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Date:         Mon, 23 Nov 1992 10:09:31 IST
From:         CCBLAUN%TECHNION.bitnet@VM.TAU.AC.IL
Subject:      Re: Tiger sharks in Hawaii
              22 Nov 1992 11:56:00 EST from <RFLNG%CLEMSON.bitnet@VM.TAU.AC.IL>

Hi Bob
Unfortunatly, i didn`t have the chance to visit the diving sites at the carebea
n`s, and so the experiance is based on encouters at the Red sea and the med. se
a.
I didnt try to match a special protection to a certain type of shark - only in
the big white and the cage...
i sudgested as for the sake of safty, to observ some of the big ones from a dis
tance (near the reef if posible) or to use other means (as a metal suit) in the
 open sea.
Indeed, you can allways point out the many dives that finished safe without any
 problem, but i wont take any chance and risk beyond the diving itself as far a
s protection means if availabe.
Some years ago i watched a video (i think it was one of Mrs.E Clark`s expeditio
ns) that was filmed in Mexican waters, and a Tiger Shark was petted there in an
 underwater cave. The sudgestion was that the tiger feemale was under a kind of
 narcotic affect due to oxygen richness of the water...
If im not wrong, it was also a discovery about the shark`s sleeping habbits.
I think shark encounters are a magnificent oportunity, but i guess the maximum
safety should be applied, even if the shark ahead has a razor sharp tooth only
for fish hunt...
                 Naftali
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Date:         Fri, 20 Nov 1992 14:35:48 EST
From:         RPG101@URIACC.URI.EDU
Subject:      Request for info..

I'm tenatively planning a diving trip to La Paz, Baja California.  In mid-latre
 march.  I was wondering if anyone out there has been there and could supply me
 with some info, tell me how to use the archives. Or tell me if anyone will be
in the area.

Bill
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Date:         Thu, 19 Nov 1992 11:27:55 IST
From:         CCBLAUN%TECHNION.bitnet@VM.TAU.AC.IL
Subject:      Re: Tiger sharks in Hawaii
              7 Nov 1992 04:12:15 PST from
              <A3TC%PSUORVM.bitnet@TAUNIVM.TAU.AC.IL>

Hi Tim
Sounds like Jaws IV can be filmed at your place instead of Amityville...
Tigers (Galeocerdo Cuvieri) where always a threat to the ppls at the water.
In the Red sea, its the type of shark that attacked most of the cases (along wi
th the Blue - Prionance Glauca)
However, the tigers wont show so much agretion and frenzy like the big white (C
arsharodon Carsharias), which attacks little ships and boats, like the recent c
ase of Ken Kelton`s kayak that was attacked by a big white shark at Ana-Nuevo w
aters not far from San Francisco.
So, i think that the tigers are indeed a dangerous predator and they might atta
ck even if the biological terms are constent without any big change.
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Date:         Sun, 15 Nov 1992 20:45:07 GMT
From:         Cosma Papouis <papouis@TOWER-UNIX.CITY-POLY.AC.UK>
Subject:      Re: BC, which are the best?

Tony Jay says"

>
> AP say the new 'STAB'release clips will not wear in this way and are
> 'easier to use'  (does anyone agree on the ease of use ???)
>
Personally I think the new clips are diabolical.  Once you are wareing
a pair of 3mm gloves they are unbelivably difficult to operate.  If
you ware 5mm gloves they are impossible.

>
> diving kit was never designed for students ??
>
This is true!  Our students reek havock with the kit (all of it!)

We stick to ABLJs as they have fewer parts to go wrong and also they
are so uncumforable to wear it encourages our students to buy their own
kit!!

Cosma



--


  ============================================================================

              Cosma Papouis, A.K.A. .... 'Cos, Cosy, Cosmic' ...

        "Depression is when you go to your psychiatrist suffering with
                Paranoia and he tells you you're not paranoid...

                        Everybody DOES hate you!!!!"

     E-Mail: PAPOUIS@uk.ac.clp.unixa    Snail: Mr. Cosma Papouis,
             C_PAPOUIS@uk.ac.clp.tvax          12 Coopers Lane,
                                               Grove Park,
                                               LONDON,
                                               SE12 0QA.
                                               United Kingdom

  ============================================================================
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Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1992 13:55:00 GMT
From:         Energy is eternal delight! <ECNROBINSON@ORBSEN.UCG.IE>
Subject:      Re: BC, which are the best?

Just something else about what alan said about the buddy commando bc or stab
jacket as  they prefer to call it.Its a twin bag construction and the outer
nylon is almost 1200 strength dernier nylon.This is much more hard wearing than
the other brands on the marker.The company also give the jacket something like
a 15 year guarantee  and  an excellant back up service.
        With the kinds of diving condition we face here in Ireland its the only
on that seems to be able to consistantly stand the pace.
                                        Paul

        ::::::|     F A C U L T Y     of    |   PAUL ROBINSON
       :::::::|           :::|              |
      :::/ :::| :::|/::/:::::::/ ::::::/    |   email: ECNROBINSON@ORBSEN.UCG.IE
     :::::::::| :::|      :::|  :::|        |
    :::/   :::| :::|      :::|   :::::\     |   History & Economics
   :::/    :::| :::|      :::|      :::|    |
 ::::/    ::::/ :::/      :::/ /::::::/     |   **      Life's a beach       ***
  U N I V E R S I T Y   C O L L E G E       |   ***     &Then you dive!       **
                G A L W A Y
               I R E L A N D
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Date:         Mon, 16 Nov 1992 12:15:30 -0500
From:         geary%cfa3.DECNET@CFA.HARVARD.EDU
Subject:      Need info on Grand Turk diving

On a recent trip, I had the opportunity to make a couple of dives
on Grand Turk and was quite impressed with the wall topography and
fauna of the place. I am considering a return trip to do a more
extensive dive program and have a few questions that are not well
addressed in postings in the archives.

(1) There were places where the reefs seemed to start fairly near
shore (100 m or so). Does anyone have any experience with shore
diving on Grand Turk?

(2) Do any of the dive operations on Grand Turk offer 3 dives a day?
I hate to hang it up with just two dives after spending all that
money to get there and for lodging, food, etc.

(3) Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) with the new Off
the Wall dive operation?

(4) Are there any apartments/condos for rent? Rental cars?

Any answers, either private or by posting, would be greatly ap-
preciated.


             OOo O                John Geary
             O oO                 PADI DM-52283
              o                   geary@cfa.harvard.edu
       _____ o o
      (_/-\_)..
     ===(O).
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Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1992 14:42:19 GMT
From:         G.S.Petch@NEWCASTLE.AC.UK
Subject:      RE: Which BC is the best?

I thought that I might as well add my weight to the AP Valves/Buddy bandwagon.
I have been diving on one Buddy's Sea King Stab-jackets for approximately 6
years. The Sea King was one of the first Buddy Stab-jackets and rather than
have straps over the shoulder has buoyancy. I have nothing but praise for the
product and the company. Recently the fitting round the drain plug cracked,
whether this was due to being bounced around in inflatables or through age I
don't know. The Stab-jacket was returned to AP valves for repair. Upon return
AP Valves had not only replaced the damaged part but had given the jacket a
complete overhaul replacing anything which looked slightly worn. This included
the zip which allows you to get at the inner bag. The only charge for this work
was the postage, a matter of some 7 or 8 pounds. Now that Is what I call
service.
After such a glowing testimonial a word of caution from discussions with my
local BSAC school who used to use Buddy Stab-jackets but found that they had
problems with the inner bags being punctured. This is something which I have
not had any problem nor have any of the private owners I know of. It could be
just an excuse for using another companies product because they give better
terms.

Stuart Petch                            Voice:  (091) 2226000 ext. 7115
                                        Write:  NRG, Drummond Building,
                                                Newcastle University,
                                                Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
                                                NE1  7RU
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