Mermet May 23-25

[Scuba Pete]

Too keep from cluttering up the skulls thread on pennyroyal, who all is planning on hitting mermet for memorial day weekend? I talked with my wife about it and she will not be diving that weekend. My brother in law will be out of town as well, so my normal diving buddies will both be unavailable.

I'd still like to go if there are some people that will be there and don't mind me tagging along for some dives. I'd probably head up there saturday morning and come back on sunday. I'm still diving a single tank, but I definitely don't hoover my tanks so I'm usually good for long dives.

[theskull]

We'll be there all 3 days, but we do have OW students scheduled for Saturday and Sunday morn. Will be happy to help you find a good buddy among the local divers there whom we know well, though, if you don't get a favorable response here on the board.

theskull

[Scuba Pete]

Thanks skull. I'm waiting for Bob to show up and poop on my fun as usual :) Another thing, I haven't used my tanks in about 8 months now and I read somewhere else that air could go stale after 6 months? That's the first I've heard of that, should I go ahead and drain the tanks down and get them refilled?

[theskull]

The main, and very rare, concern is that corrosion inside the tank (oxidation) will consume some of the oxygen in the tank. More of a concern with steel tanks than with aluminum. I would test the oxygen fraction before diving them--yes, whether it's air or nitrox. If it is air and oxidation did reduce the O2 then you might have less than 21% and have some trouble.

Or just dump and refill them, it's only $7 or so for an air fill. If you're going to dump, do it at the shop so they don't want to charge you for a visual inspection for bringing them empty tanks.

OK, your turn Bob . . . poop away.

theskull

[theskull]

The main, and very rare, concern is that corrosion inside the tank (oxidation) will consume some of the oxygen in the tank. More of a concern with steel tanks than with aluminum. I would test the oxygen fraction before diving them--yes, whether it's air or nitrox. If it is air and oxidation did reduce the O2 then you might have less than 21% and have some trouble.

Or just dump and refill them, it's only $7 or so for an air fill. If you're going to dump, do it at the shop so they don't want to charge you for a visual inspection for bringing them empty tanks.

OK, your turn Bob . . . poop away.

theskull


Heh, heh. He said "dump" and "poop" in the same post!

theskull

[Scuba Pete]

Hah, I was going to point that out.

The tanks are both al80's and they've actually never gotten wet. I picked them up at the end of the summer and they've sat in my basement since then. I'll probably just run them up to the dive shop and get them refilled.

[SLIM]

Yup I saw that also dump and poop. heheheh

I have tanks that have sat longer then 8 months and still used them. They did have a mix in them and I would recheck to make sure the mix is the same and corect.

Care and maintaince of the tank will help out a lot but then I do vis every year on them ( shhhhhhhhhhhhh) when they get low before a fill or a dump depending on the mix I am after. It is very rare but if the compresser that filed them is not maintained properly then that creats more of a problem.

SLIM

[Scuba Pete]

Great minds think alike........

[DeepDiverBob]

I too have had a set of doubles sit around for longer than I would like to admit with trimix in them. Once I finally got to dive them, I had them serviced and the o-rings were getting pretty dry rotted. Since yours have never been wet, that shouldnt be an issue for you, I wouldnt think.

I would really like to be there that weekend, but I cant say for sure if I will be or not. I will know more in the next couple of days.

Pete, we talked a while back about you wanting to try some steel tanks. I still have those 95s as singles if you want to give them a try, if I am able to make it down.

hahaha, no pooping

[Scuba Pete]

Ya, if you're going to make it down there I'd like to try out those 95's. Just make sure they don't have any of that crazy voodoo gas in them.

[DeepDiverBob]

Only thing that would be in the 95s is air. I dont think they are even O2 cleaned for Nitrox.

[Scuba Pete]

Air works for me. My other tanks are nitrox ready either so I was just planning on diving plain old air anyway.

[DeepDiverBob]

Its looking better, but still waiting for the ultimate "okay" from the other half.

[Scuba Pete]

Its looking better, but still waiting for the ultimate "okay" from the other half.

Hah, you and me both. Now my boss is telling me she might want to dive but doesn't want to drive out to mermet. So difficult..... I'll probably still do mermet for saturday/sunday then head off to the divestop on monday. If nothing else, I'll just hang out under the skulls class and blow bubble rings :D

[theskull]

Hah, you and me both. Now my boss is telling me she might want to dive but doesn't want to drive out to mermet. So difficult..... I'll probably still do mermet for saturday/sunday then head off to the divestop on monday. If nothing else, I'll just hang out under the skulls class and blow bubble rings :D

Bring her. We want to dive with her. The water is warming up nicely in the shallows.

theskull

[theskull]

Its looking better, but still waiting for the ultimate "okay" from the other half.

Hope you can make it, Bob. Would love for you to bring her, but we don't want to dive with her. Dana gets cross when she dives in "refreshing" temperature water. She's fun, though, so feel free to bring her without her gear.

theskull

[Scuba Pete]

I'll see what I can do, the big problem is that she agreed to take of her sisters dog. I don't think they'd be happy if i showed up with a 130 or so pound saint bernard.

[DeepDiverBob]

Hope you can make it, Bob. Would love for you to bring her, but we don't want to dive with her. Dana gets cross when she dives in "refreshing" temperature water. She's fun, though, so feel free to bring her without her gear.

theskull

No way Dana could make it on a holiday weekend. If I am able to make it, and I probably will, I will be there solo.

[DeepDiverBob]

Quote:
Originally Posted by theskull http://www.midwestdive.com/forums/images/001/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.midwestdive.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20926#post20926)
The main, and very rare, concern is that corrosion inside the tank (oxidation) will consume some of the oxygen in the tank. More of a concern with steel tanks than with aluminum. I would test the oxygen fraction before diving them--yes, whether it's air or nitrox. If it is air and oxidation did reduce the O2 then you might have less than 21% and have some trouble.

Or just dump and refill them, it's only $7 or so for an air fill. If you're going to dump, do it at the shop so they don't want to charge you for a visual inspection for bringing them empty tanks.

OK, your turn Bob . . . poop away.

theskull


Heh, heh. He said "dump" and "poop" in the same post!

theskull

dump, poop, visual inspection and oxidation....does it ever end? lol


Anyway, I will be there next weekend. Most likely from Friday night through Monday.

[theskull]

dump, poop, visual inspection and oxidation....does it ever end? lol


Anyway, I will be there next weekend. Most likely from Friday night through Monday.

Excellent! We probably won't arrive until early Saturday morning. See ya.

theskull

[Scuba Pete]

Well, I've almost convinced the short one to go diving next weekend. We'll probably get there early on saturday then head out sunday night. I'm looking forward to diving in the warm, crystal clear waters of the midwest again. All those dives in St. Lucia and Bonaire were horrible.

Bob, are you going to bring those 95's out? I'll probably snag a tank or two from my brother in law anyway so we'll have 4 between us, 6 if you bring those 95's.

[theskull]

Well, I've almost convinced the short one to go diving next weekend. We'll probably get there early on saturday then head out sunday night. I'm looking forward to diving in the warm, crystal clear waters of the midwest again. All those dives in St. Lucia and Bonaire were horrible.

Looking forward to seeing you again. Among the many advantages to local diving is you don't have to rinse your gear and you don't get corrosion on all the metal parts.

theskull

[Scuba Pete]

Ok, I got my tanks refilled, the battery in my computer changed, and everything packed up and ready to go. The only problem is my wife doesn't want to dive now. She told me I could still go if I want to, so I'm considering it. Is anyone going to be there on saturday and sunday that wouldn't mind having me tag along for a few dives?

[DeepDiverBob]

I will be there from Friday night through either Sunday night, or Monday late morning.

[Scuba Pete]

I will be there from Friday night through either Sunday night, or Monday late morning.

Will you be staying within recreational limits for most of your dives?

[DeepDiverBob]

Deepest spot is 124, that is well within recreational limits...lol

Yes, I can do dives that are more within your training level. I know another guy that will be down there as well, and I might do one extended deep dive with him, but I can keep you entertained, no worries.

[Scuba Pete]

Well, when I said rec. limits I meant dives without entering decompression, but you got the idea. No extended deep dives for me. Although I have gotten much better at descending to 100+ feet now. No more cratering platforms for me.

[DeepDiverBob]

Well, when I said rec. limits I meant dives without entering decompression, but you got the idea. No extended deep dives for me. Although I have gotten much better at descending to 100+ feet now. No more cratering platforms for me.

well there goes half the fun. I was looking forward to that...

[theskull]

My class load just got dramatically reduced and I will have more time for fun diving this weekend!

See ya all there.

theskull

[MgicTwnger]

but I can keep you entertained, no worries.

It's time to worry!

BTW..wish I could be there, but I have a commitment at Haigh.

[do it easy]

Have fun this weekend. I haven't been to Mermet in a while. I'll be diving "locally" this weekend.


This post is brought to you by the words "poop" and "dump"

[theskull]

Have fun this weekend. I haven't been to Mermet in a while. I'll be diving "locally" this weekend.


This post is brought to you by the words "poop" and "dump"

Have fun in the big lake.

I like and support your sponsors! :)

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

It's time to worry!

BTW..wish I could be there, but I have a commitment at Haigh.

Haighs loss is our gain...have fun.

[MgicTwnger]

Haighs loss is our gain...have fun.
U2................:D

[theskull]

Having great fun so far. The water is beautiful in the deep--everything below 40 ft., where it is also 42 F.

Festive bunch, but not crowded, and the weather is perfect.

Come join us.

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

Okay, I was a major dive whore this weekend. I was able to get in a awesome night dive Friday night with Bill (Unless Peg reads this, then the dive really sucked.) We dropped down off the deep dock, and swam back to the rock crusher on the bottom, turned the dive and came back up the wall slowly, enjoying the great vis below the thermocline at 40 feet.

I camped out Friday and Saturday night, which was fun also.

Saturday I was able to do dives with Carl and Bill, exploring every inch of the quarry below 100 feet. I was able to log 3 good dives, and thought my day was done. Then I ran into Kris from Midwest, and we did a night dive, exploring the inner wall right off the 85 foot platform.

Sunday, the rains started to come. I check the weather forecast, and it didnt look like it was going to clear up any time soon. Nate, a staff member at Mermet asked me to go on a dive with him Sunday morning. The plan was to drop down off the primary dock, follow the line to the 85 foot platfrom, then the 100. Leaving the 100 foot platform, we was going to hit the wall, and headtowards the rock crusher, then work our way up the wall, and complete deco near the platform. Well, somewhere along the deep end, the vis dropped to about 2 foot, if that. I thought I was following the wall, but turned out it was just a ridge. When I saw the satelite dish by the wall, I knew we was directly under the deep dock. So, I made the best of the situation. I found where the 85 foot platform was anchored to the ground, and picked up the inner wall, and we followed that instead at the bottom, until we came up by the 727. From that point, it was starting to get a bit chilly, so I made a direct line across the quarry past the fire truck and ambulace, and picked up the wall closest to the shallow platorms. I followed that for a few minutes, slowing asending until I finally reached the top of the wall, and the back end of the bus. I then followed the line across the 3 training platforms, and we finished our deco on the last platform, before ascending to complete the dive.

All in all, it was a great weekend. Great to spend some time with great friends again.

[Scuba Pete]

Sounds like everyone had a good time diving. I wish I could have made it, but I needed to spend some time cheering up my wife. I may make try to make a trip down to the dive stop next saturday depending on the weather.

[theskull]

The weather did clear up after a bit of rain Sunday afternoon.

Peg finished Sunday's class dives while I made a couple deep dives with Jason & Carl, then Peg & I did a shallow fun-dive with the student who had just completed AOW. Peg did this dive in the new set of doubles she was trying out (and loves).

In the eve we took a scenic drive through downtown Paducah and had a nice dinner.

It was a beautiful sunny day today for the 2 deep dives I did with Peg. :)

A week off now, and next fun dive trip is Haigh Quarry, June 6-7.

theskull

[b1gcountry]

Bob-
Are the Rock Crusher and the Rock Coffer the same thing?

Tom

[b1gcountry]

Skull-
I'm going to be up in Chicago June 6 for a dive on the Wisconsin. There was one spot left last I heard.

Tom

[DeepDiverBob]

Bob-
Are the Rock Crusher and the Rock Coffer the same thing?

Tom
yes it is.

[theskull]

Skull-
I'm going to be up in Chicago June 6 for a dive on the Wisconsin. There was one spot left last I heard.

Tom

Sorry, I'm with Bob at Haigh that weekend. Y-Kiki is sponsoring a Fun-dive weekend, and we have a bunch of good folks going.

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

Sorry, I'm with Bob at Haigh that weekend. Y-Kiki is sponsoring a Fun-dive weekend, and we have a bunch of good folks going.

theskull

And Ken said he might go, too.

[b1gcountry]

In that case, I may see you at Haigh on June 7th. I was thinking about heading over there with Duane and Ed.