Hell, I try to avoid the hole as much as I can but normally once a year there is no choice but to visit, to paraphrase ObiWan Kenobi "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy, we must be cautious..."
The justification for such madness was the first dive of the Shearwater HUD, which I am happy to report is everything it was described to be- simple to use, easy to understand and effective.
One thing I hadn't pre-concieved was the change in monitoring- on the KISS (as was) I checked the handsets every minute or 2, perhaps 3 on occasions. Now the PPO2 is right in my eye all the time, in a way I think this made me check it MORE often... to confirm the HUD! Suspect his is a mental hurdle to get over, much like checking the displays every 10seconds when you first dive the KISS, until you realise nothing happens that quickly. It made me chuckle though.
It did really come into its own when I pulled the camera out as I can see the PPO2 while composing and shooting, if only I could add O2 handsfree!
Had my buddy Chris (Darkside on here) with me taking his shiny new Vision for its second dip, it was interesting to compare HUD's side by side- mine flashing constantly and his staying solid (mostly). Made a refreshing change to dive with another CCR, so quiet and able to debate the location of the Stanegarth while looking for it! We also discovered that cold fingers make setpoint change an interesting stabbing at the handset event
The place was HEAVING with rebreathers, probably some of you lot?
Saw a couple of other KISS's one with 4 or 5ltr tanks on the Portland SS frame- big beast, seen diving with HUGE stages, credit to you for lifting those- what are they like underwater I wonder?
Also 4 Megs with a couple of Inspiration Buddies and a huge array of Ali stages going in en-mass, an impressive site, you causes abit of a stir sitting along the keyside.
Low-light of the day was some poor lass being hauled somewhat lifeless and blue from the water infront of us and left lying on the floor by her buddies who thought she was "cold" I guess the air-ambulance that came to collect her thought different, worrying lack of DCI understanding shown, scary.
Well was good to be diving again, even if it was Stoney.... Right- Sea next time and REAL Diving!
PS- We should get some Rebreather World bumper stickers for the back of the Rebreather's when visiting inland sites, be nice to put some names to faces.
BEN