The icemen cometh

Hardly has it been 3 days since we were last at Capernwray, we were back again - this time Tuesday 23 Feb. As we pulled into the carpark and made our way up to the shop to register, we heard an almighty cacophany of noise. Are they blasting again, I asked myself. No, when we looked over the balcony, both ribs were out traversing the length and breadth of the quarry in an attempt to break up the 1.2 cm topping of ice which covered the whole of the quarry. 'And we're going to dive in that?' asked Paul. Paul remarked that as it was his first open water dive, it was a bit like a baptism by fire. Not quite, Paul, baptism by ice I think is more accurate!

None the less, Ariel, Paul and myself, Wendy, kitted up and made our way down to the slip. The whole of the training area and beyond the roped area was covered in large plates of ice, more than a cm thick and up to 40 -50 cm diameter. So large that we could float our fins on them. As Ariel tried to acclimatise his face, he had to avoid the large ice cubes. We quickly did a weight check for Paul then descended to the 2m platform. Large trout swam gracefully around us and played chicken as they dodged us at the last minute. It was rewarding to see how relaxed Paul was as we worked our way back and to the 2 training platforms. There were a couple of lost buoyancy moments, but nothing he couldn't handle, especially given that by now, fingers were not working at their best. I tried to give an OK signal, which came out more like a deformed Q! After 30 minutes, I think we all had had enough and ventured our way out - slowly ascending to prevent the ice cracking on our heads as we emerged. The big grin and bright eyes that lit Paul's face told me that he really had enjoyed his first open water dive and was ready to go in again. Not before retiring to the cafe for some hot chocolate and a big bowl of chips, however.

Second dive we knew what to expect - it was going to be cold out there! This time, we had the double joy of donning the ice cold hoods and gloves. Nothing could delay that moment when we would immerse ourselves again. This time, we finned over the 2 training platforms and made our way to the horses, first of all Lord Lucan then Shergar. Both lads rode the one-time Grand National favourite, Paul even throwing in a bit a lasso-ing! The guys then showed how techie they could be by using Shergar as a tunnel and expertly avoided the edges (well almost!)

Made our way over to the Dreamer and another sunken boat that I didn't recognise, back past the Red Devil, pausing momentarily to hover over the edge to see what was down in the depths, then back to the 2m platform which Paul and Ariel used for drills to complete OO1. Gently we made our way back to the shallows, again the friendly fish came and went adding to the enjoyment. Again we slowly surfaced to avoid crashing through the plates of ice. As we finned back, the gentle chink-chink of ice reminded me of wind chimes. As I dekitted back at the car, I found 2 large chunks of ice had stuck between my BCD and suit. Where's the G&T when you need it!

Monday 21 February

In the absence of regular blogger James, it was bestowed on myself , Wendy to write up this week's escapades!  We were still quarry diving but this Saturday saw us with the first trek of the year up to Capernwray.  It was a lovely bright but cold day that saw 4 divers - Ariel, Wendy, Andrew and Clive (of course!) brave the icy waters.

We went in as 2 buddy pairs, myself and Andrew; Ariel and Clive but stuck together as there were a couple of drills to be done jointly.  I didn't know if I would make the full dive because as soon as I descended, I got the classic ice cream headache - something in 12 years of diving I had never experienced.  However, Ariel assured me that it would pass after 5 minutes or so - which it did.  Andrew led us successfully to the helicopter platform where we started playing around with buoyancy.  Ariel had us spinning round, hanging upside down, tumble turning whilst maintaining good buoyancy.  Andrew then successfully completed AS both as donor and recipient to 6m.  He also had a valuable learning experience regarding kit maintainance.  He had very recently swapped over the mouth piece from his main reg as he had bitten  through the teeth guard and put it onto his spare.  This was the reg that Ariel used which wouldn't stay in!

Andrew and Ariel then braved full mask removal thus completing his drills, the exploratory part of the dive was cut short as we headed back to the shallows and the warmth of a flask of hot chocolate.  It was not the end of the dive for Ariel and Clive as Clive also needed to do mask removal, but at a shallower depth with Ariel demonstrating again.

We retired to the cafe for a warmimg cup of coffee.  In an empty room, Andrew managed to find the only table which allowed him to double up as a door man!  We talked through a rescue scenario as we were to be carrying out one later.  This had some interesting ideas as to the morality involved in breaking and entering to make a 999 call!

I wimped out of the second dive as my hands were like blocks of ice, thus the intrepid tag team bravely declared a planned route using compass navigation.  So confident they were, they opted not to take an underwater map.  All went extremely well, even with the surprise appearence of Shergar (not on the planned route, but hey, it could happen to anyone!)

A very quick cup of coffee was had as we still had one more task to complete, Rescue Managment for Andrew.  Clive was to play an injured diver with a missing buddy.  All I can say is expect to see him on the Oscar nominations as he is from the school of method acting.  In fact we couldn't shut him up at one point!  With the safe return of Clive's missing buddy and a Bafta nomination, Andrew's drill was successfully completed and we returned to the warmth of our cars and headed home for pizza and a bottle of wine!  A most enjoyable day was had by all.

Skiving and Skyving...

Skiving and Skyving?  Well, for those of you who don't know, skiving (as of a couple of weeks ago) is the combination of SCUBA diving with skiing, while skyving is a mixture of SCUBA diving with sky diving (obviously not actual sky diving, as diving and altitude generally don't mix - wind tunnel diving would be a more appropriate name).  Anyway, this is what VRSAC was up to last Saturday, and what a great day it was.

Although the number of attending divers for branch weekends is yet to peak, a healthy turn-out of 8 divers gave each other the pleasure of their company on Saturday, the largest diving group so far this year.  The day started off, as usual for this time of year, at the Delph, with training either being received or given by most.  For once, nobody was particularly late in arriving, and everyone was therefore in the water well before 11:00.  After pleasant dives all round, the group freed themselves from suits (with some doing it in a more entertaining fashion than others Ariel!), and quickly made our way to the cafe, where all sorts awaited including hot chocolate and steak burgers!  See?  You don't know what you're missing!  Anyway, after a debriefing, which, in James' case, resulted in him being signed off as an Ocean Diver (yey.!) the group split into two - Ariel and Wendy decided to spend the remainder of the day at the Delph for another dive, while the rest of the group headed down to Manchester to Airkix and the Chill Factor.

The remaining group, with the exception of Andy and family, went to Airkix, to experience jumping out of a plane, but without quite as many risks (especially straight after diving).  We were assigned an instructor, so when we entered the wind tunnel, we didn't injure and generally make a fool of ourselves.  We took turns, with everyone entering the tunnel twice, for two one minute sessions.  Everyone's experience and opinion of it seemed to be slightly different, but the general consensus was that it was great fun, and we would gladly do it again.


We then all went over to the Chill Factor to watch Andy and co on the slopes, admiring both his skiing skills and the authenticity of the snow on the slopes.  After becoming too cold for comfort in the -2 degree air inside the Chill Factor, we made our way to Costa coffee for a cup of coffee and a chat!

As usual, VRSAC's diving weekend was a success.  Everyone enjoyed themselves, and are all ready for the next one!  Photos of the Skydiving should be available soon, so watch this space!

JS

Another Visit to the Delph!

Once again, the weekend came around, and once again, a select group of hardy divers braved the ice and snow to visit the Eccy Delph for a day of diving. We were in the water for our first chilling dive before 11:30. Not before, of course, Ernie decided to start a snowball fight, without realizing that his drysuit wasn't zipped up!

James was buddied with Andy for the first dive, with Dave G stalking us, and Ernie accompanied Clive into the water to continue his training.  After the customary acclimatization in the 4 degree water, we finished crying and began the dive!  James and Andy failed to find even one armored car, let alone the second like last time!  However, we did manage to completely disorientate ourselves, and ended up ice diving underneath the frozen surface!  Anyway, after reestablishing their position, found their way back, without feeling the effects of the cold too much.  Ernie and Clive apparently had an equally, if not more successful dive, returning just as safely, but without the added disadvantage of getting lost.  After de-kitting on the snow-covered benches, the heated interior of the cafe beckoned, and we soon treated ourselves to a hot cup of tea.

After warming up, we decided that while we were there we should do a second dive.  After we played musical buddies, we all re-entered the frigid water again, and enjoyed a slightly shorter, slightly colder dive. James with Ernie and Andy, while Clive buddied with Dave.  All went well and we all surfaced safely, if a little chilly, and proceeded once again to the cafe for a hot drink and a debrief.

Overall, I think that all would agree that it was another great day of diving, with lessons being learned by some, and fun being had by all.  As mentioned in the last post, the next planned dive weekend for Vale Royal SAC is next Saturday at the Delph, and then on to skydiving!  If you haven't already expressed interest, but would like to come, then speak to Dave G.  a.s.a.p. to request a place.

JS