Too Cold to Dive, so it’s Maintenance Time

[Gilldiver]

No one wanted to come out and dive with me today, it was only 0F this morning, so I started doing my normal winter maintenance. So far I have:

- Blown down 4 aluminum 40’s, 3 to be used for my triple 40’s (picked them up from a guy this week for $300, they are out of hydro but have only 3 or 4 dives on them, typical Tech wan-a-be).
- Blown down the Monster triple 72’s, broke them down, and converted the manifold for a 6” spacing
- Set up the triple 40’s and made the pattern for a set of Captain’s Bands, now to get two 1.5” x 52” stainless strips for the bands.
- O2 Cleaned and Rebuilt the 4 DIN valves that came with the 40’s and have them in Ziploc bags ready to go on some other tanks.
- Took apart a DAAM that had an unstable IP, polished the volcano, put in a new HP seat and a duckbill eliminator – Let’s just say it is now Sweeeeeeett!
- Put another Duckbill eliminator in my Mistral, just 4 more regs left to put eliminators in!

The only problem now is getting the cash for about 7 Hydros for this year, that and I have diver withdral syndrome.

Pete

[YankDownUnder]

It was too cold because you went to the wrong beach.

[swimjim]

Yeah, that is a tad warmer then this one.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5x ... directlink

Topside air temp 8, bottom temp 37. Cool man

[YankDownUnder]

Swim Jim,

Your picture brings back 'wonderful' memories of getting up four or five times during the night to clear snow from my driveway. My snow blower couldn't always keep up with the snow fall and I couldn't get the police car out of he driveway at 5 AM if I didn't. I miss that about as much as I miss the Army Barracks at Ft Lewis and my lovable old drill sergeant waking me up at dawn. I also have fond memories of cold C-rations on border patrol and sleeping in the commander's seat of my tank. Ahhh.. those were the days. Steve

[Gilldiver]

Did a few more valves today, O2 washed 2 tanks, figured out how many tanks for hydro this year, then off to the Y for a 1500 yard swim.

Cabin feever is well established, it's below zero this morning, and more snow on the way for Wednesday.

Now, how in hell can I get the company to send me to the Maldives on my next trip to India to thaw out?

[DaleC]

When you're done come over to my house, I have a garage that needs cleaning (by the time you get here it should be summer)
Did some laps yesterday too and took some snorkeling gear along for my kids (9&11). My daughter was just rockin the dolphin kick!
I find I control my withdrawl symptoms by cruising old book stores and second hand shops looking for dive related material. It's like I have a trapline I work. It's fun to find a little something and look up the details back home.

[Ron]

Swim Jim,

Your picture brings back 'wonderful' memories of getting up four or five times during the night to clear snow from my driveway. My snow blower couldn't always keep up with the snow fall and I couldn't get the police car out of he driveway at 5 AM if I didn't. I miss that about as much as I miss the Army Barracks at Ft Lewis and my lovable old drill sergeant waking me up at dawn. I also have fond memories of cold C-rations on border patrol and sleeping in the commander's seat of my tank. Ahhh.. those were the days. Steve

Come on Steve. You mean you don't miss heating up your rats on the back deck of a tank, pooping in an ammo can, or waking up in the middle of the night with the urge to pee in 5 degree weather? I remember at Fort Benning one time I actually peed out of my sleeping bag because it was so bitterly cold that I couldn't bring myself to get out of the bag. Good times. C rats were a little before my time though

[JES]

... I remember at Fort Benning one time I actually peed out of my sleeping bag because it was so bitterly cold that I couldn't bring myself to get out of the bag. Good times. ...

I wouldn't drink anything after dinner so I wouldn't have to get up in the middle of the night to go pee in the PVC pipe stuck in the ground in the middle of the desert. Of course there was always your empty Gatorade bottle if all else failed.

All good times...

[Ron]

Stuff like that, Mr. S, is why I so enjoy my American standard of living when I get it.

[JES]

Stuff like that, Mr. S, is why I so enjoy my American standard of living when I get it.

Amen my friend!

[Gilldiver]

Another 12 inches for fluffy water last night, I can't blow this stuff anymore.

GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!

[Bryan]

Well it's in the 50's in Tampa so it's no picnic for use either.. I had to wear long pants today....The things mother nature puts us through.

[JES]

Well it's in the 50's in Tampa so it's no picnic for use either.. I had to wear long pants today....The things mother nature puts us through.

I feel your pain. We dipped down to a blustery 47 in Fleming Island this morning.

[time2dive]

I do not miss your weather at all, other than high surf and the night time temperatures getting down to the high 60's.......

Oh, and the water is starting to get chilly, it is down to 76

Tim