Scuby Duben

[ThFyrWthn]

I see from iamff's Hobbies thread that some of us are into SCUBA

Get out much last year? I had a pretty bad year, only got out a bit... weekend in Toby, Sarnia a few times, Gilboa and Grand Bend once.

I'd like to get out more this year, once it warms up(no dry suit yet) I did the crazyman cold stuff my first year, did my Rescue in November actually :) but it wears off, ya know?

I'm definately getting to brockville this year and anywhere else, cept Innersludge :)

Anyway, anybody who wants to get out this year, I'm in. I usually dive with a group around here but would like to branch out. I don't know about where you are but here things are a little "clicky" depending on the shop you buy/train out of.

[Scuba]

In Ottawa most of the clubs are run out of shops as well......with little if not any intermingling between the crowds....

Luckliy I've been so disgusted by the various 'rip off artists' I haven't been dedicated to one store specificaly.....

And, Yes. I'd be up for a firehall dive somewhere this summer :)

I did my training dives on the St. Lawrence, but I do most of my diving around the Perth area. It's all about the bottom time after all? right?


How many departments out there have their own dive teams?

I know it's a big thing down south, but I haven't seen or heard of too many up here in the great white north....

[bestcoast]

Vancouver had it's own dive team years ago. There have been a few incident's in the past few years where a dive team may have come in handy. But it is a political thing where no one wants to take responsibility to fund it again. Same old story, people die while politicians argue.....On a recreational note i used to dive quite a bit but haven't in past few years. I really should since the west coast has some of the best diving in the world, so maybe i'll get out there again.....BC........

[iamvff]

I,m in...speedo's and pink flippers ok??

iamvff:(

[DFCSmash]

Originally posted by iamvff
I,m in...speedo's and pink flippers ok??

iamvff:(

NONONONONONONO. I really don't care about the flippers. But the thought (let alone the sight) of iamvff in a speedo is....nonononono.

:cool:

[ThFyrWthn]

Oh yea BC... just beautiful diving in BC... I dove out there when I was in the naval reserves on my inspection diver qual course . Wasn't really recreational, more like torture. The only time they couldn't scream at you or make you do pushups was when you were under water... I even had a cat nap down there once :) Beautiful starfish, that's what I remember. I'd love to get back.

London got thier team chopped for $$ reasons too. I can understand it more here being almost landlocked... but BC?

iamvff, I'll dive with ya in a speedo and pink flippers... dare ya, double dog dare ya :p :D

When things warm up, we'll have to get the firehall.com dive going.

[bestcoast]

I think the Fed's think were aren't close enough to water out here....:rolleyes: .... the cutbacks to the coast guard and naval bases are absolutely disgusting.....these guys and gals are true professional's, but they need the proper equipment to do their job safely and efficiently....BC.....

[ThFyrWthn]

I agree, I hope they have better than gave us back then, it was atrocious.

[LTPVFD]

A firehall.com dive would be a great event, especially if it were held on the west coast!! Some of the best diving in the world out here. Anywhere along either side of the island, but best dives are boat dives. Octopus, wolf eels, ling cod, just to name a few of our most popular critters.

Only official dive teams out here police based. Some fire departments may have teams, but I am not aware of any. Some search and rescue groups also have involvement in diving, but none of them are first response.

The Coast Guard fiasco a couple of years ago sure put a bad light on emergency response capabilites. For those not aware, a fish boat capsized, and people were trapped inside. Coast Guard dive team responded, but due to "regulations" were not allowed to enter the capsized vessel. Had to wait until military divers arrived on scene. By the time the military divers arrived from CFB Comox, it was too late. Unfortunately it takes a tragedy to effect positive and progressive change.

Best Coast said it right when he states "But it is a political thing where no one wants to take responsibility to fund it. Same old story, people die while politicians argue."

I personally wish we were like our neighbours to the south. Volunteer community based dive teams, who work hand in hand with their local response agencies, for the benefit of their citizens.

A few years ago I took the Dive Rscue Specialist program through Dive Rescue International. Course was hosted by the Calgary Fire Department. A very great learning experience, but I have only been able to use my skills on a few occasions. If you want a "model" water rescue program (swiftwater, dive, rope) just take a look at the Calgary Fire Department.

But back to the original suggestion - if anyone is visiting Vancouver Island this year, and wants to partake of some great diving, get in touch with me through the forum, and I will show you some great diving.

Oh - and for IAMVFF - we have a name for people who wear speedo's and pink flippers out here - it is called Shark Bait !!

Stay safe !!


LTPVFD

[bestcoast]

Might just take you up on that offer someday Itpvfd. Thinking of getting back into diving (after a refresher course) and Vancouver Island is one of the best place's around...hand's down!!... haven't benn diving since my last trip to cuba and I should really take advantage of the diving we have here on the west coast....BC....

[Roadwarrior]

Firehall Dive sounds great....as long as it's withing driving distance, count me in!!

[wilderness]

my god i can't remember the last dive i was on... sure thing sign me up.....

[colin911]

I'll go too, but I'm just coming back from a 3 day 2 tank/day trip in Cozumel and I'll have to get used to not seeing more than 10ft in front of me! That and the marine life here ... you see a crayfish once in a while, and if you're lucky a bass or two.

[bestcoast]

How was Cozumel?? I've alway's wanted to go there and go for a couple dives as well........BC...

[colin911]

Cozumel is Beeeeeeyutiful ... had a lot of fun, saw sooo much in regards to marine life, reefs were amazing, wall dives at 110' (had to be told to come back to 100').
Turks and Caicos is a little bit better for big marine life like barracudas, huge Eagle Rays, nurse sharks, tonnes of sea turtles.

[Scuba]

I'd love to go someday..... Gotta get me a decent underwater camera (or case) first though.......

How many of you folks ice dive?

[ThFyrWthn]

Not me... call me chicken, brock, brock...

I don't know, something about one little hole to get out of if shit hits the fan.... i dunno

I guess I haven't actually seen anyone do it though, sounds like you take alot of precautions.

You ScubaJude?

[LTPVFD]

Ice diving is great fun. :) Lots of safety precautions taken, prior to entering the water, and lots of safety protocols in place should something go wrong while you are in the water. At most your are 75 to 100 feet from the access/exit point, and you are tethered in.

Unfortunately, here on the Island, the only ice I seem to find is in my glass :D

Stay safe !!


LTPVFD

[Scuba]

I've been known to.....

I went diving on new years day, but there wasn't any ice :(

It's quite the experience........

It's that happy median between torture and pleasure.....