Dive #130 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log
© Copyright 2010 Rich Torkington Mesa, Arizona

PREVIOUS 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 HOME INDEX Next

Bottom Time to Date:

114h
59m


Dive Info:

Dive Start:
9:00AM

Bottom Time:
n/a

Maximum Depth:
n/a

Safety Stop:
n/a

Beginning Air:
n/a

Ending Air:
n/a

Weather Conditions:
85°F

Surface Conditions:
Calm

Surface Water Temperature:
82°F

Bottom Water Temperature:
78°F

Visibility:
100 feet
130
TITLE
* * * *
March 18,
2003
VILLABLANCA SHALLOWS
COZUMEL, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
TRAINING DIVE
 
Linda, Janel, Ron (Instructor), Christy (Instructor)
PADI Rescue Diver Training - Dive #1
Photo
The great visibility in Cozumel definitely helped our rescue training efforts
Videograph by Rich Torkington in Cozumel 2003 
Dive Journal: In the morning, we ask the Villablanca desk to please move us back to our original rooms, or some other alternative away from the street. The attendant there says she must discuss this with the manager, and we tell her we’re off for some diving today and won’t return until late in the day – she says OK.

We walk down to the Lorena again this morning, and again inquire about availability of rooms. After such a bad night’s sleep, we find it easy to let them know we’re not at all happy about staying at the Villablanca. This of course doesn’t solve anything, but it makes us feel a little better anyway.

We meet with Christy and start our Rescue Diver training in earnest. Linda, Janel, Christy, and I settle down to a table in front of the Blue Angel dive shop and we study our knowledge review materials in some detail. It is fun to do this with Christy because she expounds on so many diving topics and lends her personal experiences and stories to each area of the training. We find it especially interesting to begin to see recreational diving through the eyes of a professional.

Following the review, we all suit up to learn and practice some rescue skills in the water. The area is known as Villblanca Shallows. Christy demontrates and has us each repeat several skills, including how to assist a tired diver and a panicked one. We also practice a skill involving making a response to a diver needing assistance with us starting on the shore. To make sure we don’t arouse too much nearby attention, we always call for “pizza” instead of for “help.” We also learn simply how to approach and talk to another diver who may be in some trouble, providing assistance and reassurance at the same time. The final topic involves towing an unconscious diver to shore while removing his/her scuba gear, all while giving rescue breathing. It is a pretty tiring activity.

One of the cool things I also learn today from Ron is how to hoist a scuba setup inverted over my head and onto my shoulders. It requires a bit of muscle but it is a really efficient way to suit up onshore. Ron says, “The day I can’t do this anymore is the day I hang up my wetsuit.”

Our in-water training lasts about 3 hours or so. Afterwards, Christy tells us that PADI technically allows 2 logged dives for this portion of the course, so I add them to the list. Christy then arranges for us to grab a quick bite at the Blue Angel grill. Then Linda, Johnny, and I (Janel’s tired) jump onto Shamu the dive boat. Johnny is especially ready to go diving today after reading on the waterfront all morning.

More
Dive
Info:
Fins:
Mares Avanti Quattro
Computer:
U S Divers Matrix
Tank:
80 ft3 Al
BCD:
SeaQuest Spectrum 4
Dive Type:
BOAT
Body of Water:
Caribbean Sea
Mask:
U S Divers
Protection:
3 mm wetsuit
Regulator:
SeaQuest
Spectrum XR2
plus Oceanic
Slimline octopus
Weight:
10 lb
Water Type:
Salt
Video Equipment:
None