Sunday...

The start of another week. We started today out with our first orientation dive in the front yard. I paired with Patty and had seven new guests to show the front yard. I gave them the briefing of the dive plan. I had everyone gear up and meet me at the platform. There, I checked them all to make sure that they were adequately weighted. We then headed down the chain to the 15' safety stop buoy. The group went through the mask clear and regulator recovery drill before we swam to the Prince Albert. Once atop the wreck, we headed over to the green buoy that leads you back to the ship. I showed everyone that it has a slate that tells them the compass heading to get back to the Prince Albert. After the green buoy, I took them over and showed them the end of Newman's Wall. I explained to them that after the dropoff, you need to keep the wall on your left as you head back to Cocoview.

At this point, I did a pressure check with the divers, and they were all in good shape. We then headed back to the shipwreck and used it as a reference to make our way over to Cocview Wall. I then showed the divers that when you do the dropoff dive on Cocoview Wall, you keep the wall on your right site for the trip in. I did another pressure check and everyone was still good.

I turned the group back towards the 15' buoy and did a slow swim back. We did our three min safety stop and headed back up the chain to the platform. I reminded the divers that the sand chute they saw on Cocview wall was NOT the way back. They need to continue back until they see the safety bouy.

One more thing I had to remind them of was the proper procedure for going out on the night dive.  Everyone was happy with the orientation. As we were walking back to the shore, Patty asked the group if they thought it was a good tour, and should she give me a passing grade. Thankfully, this group gave me the thumbs up.

Patty and I did an after action review and the things she found fault with were fairly small. 

One was that she thought I went too fast. This suprised me, as everytime I turned around to look at the group, they were hot on my fins.

Two was that she saw me finning while I was stationary in the water. I did not realize I was doing it. She is a stickler for neutral bouyancy.

Three was that she thought that my oral briefing was too long. Guilty. I find that it is much easier to communicate through air than water. Maybe it's just me...

 After the orientation dive, we headed to lunch. Today was fajitas and tortilla soup. Chocolate chip cookies were our dessert.

At 1:00 I headed back to the boat and helped get it ready for the afternoon dive. We had our dive briefing with Kirk and left for Chimneys. This site is normally 5 min away, but with the ocean as rough as it was, it took us 15-20! I could not wait to get off of this boat! The rocking and rolling was getting me queasy!  I jumped in and the surge was not making my stomach any better. We made our way over to the edge of the wall and descended 20' and things got much better. We followed the wall over to the chimneys and everyone took turns looking up through them. We followed the wall for another 200' and then turned around to head back.

As we headed back, we ascended to 25' and stayed off of the wall to keep us from getting jostled by the surge. When we came back to the point where we broke over the wall, we headed back into shallower water. Again the surge was moving us back and forth. I waited until those who wanted back on the boat had climbed the ladder, and took my turn. It still sucked on the boat. I stared at the horizon while the guy next to me hurled over this side. Oh no, this wasn't looking good..... I managed to keep my lunch, but was contemplating walking back. We did a 30 min surface interval, and then headed to Cocoview Wall for a drop off. I passed. I wanted off of that boat and dry land!  We got back and I helped unload the boat and get it cleaned up. I got done around 4:30.

I stopped off at the bar to pick up a rocks glass for tonight. Once back at the room I fixed a nice Gentleman  Jack.....on the rocks.  While enjoying the JD, I had to make sure I called the two most important mothers in my life, mine and the mother of my 7 YO daughter. They were both happy to hear from me.  Two more drinks, and I almost passed on dinner.

Dinner was roast pork leg, rice, gravy, and chocolate cake for dessert. As usual, it was great.
While at dinner I chatted with Mitch, Harold, Greg, and Deb. It is always great to laugh at the evening meal.

I found out that Mitch loves whole milk with Oreos. I love it with Chips Ahoys. I told him if he would make the milk ICE cold, I would treat the next time I got to Eldon's. I hope it happens soon....

Happy Mothers Day to all Moms!

Pics will be tomorrow, I promise!