This morning we visited Gary's Reef (on the leeward side of the island) and I spotted five lionfish, including one that was really big. This reef was a wall dive where the deep blue was absolutely wonderful to just float and view. I am always tempted to just keep diving deeper and keep going further out.
The second boat dive this morning was to Bullwinkle West where the swim throughs were incredible. I seem to be part fish because I can move through the depth changes of the swim throughs with very little trouble and rarely needing to equalize. As I talk them through with my buddies afterwards they are shocked that I can move through them so effortlessly. I feel very thankful to have such a good time diving and that it comes naturally for me. After all, I am on the gill transplant list. Any day now, I hope to get the call!!
Yeah, shore diving reopened this afternoon. So, I got five dives in today. Besides the morning boat dives, we did two afternoon dives and a night dive.
On the first afternoon dive we went out to the landing craft just past the mermaid. The Atlantis submarine went down just before we entered and we had hoped to see it, but no such luck. We did see some good sized snapper and I spotted a very tiny lionfish. The surge is still pretty strong.
On the second afternoon dive, I started out with one DH regulator giving me trouble, so I moved to my backup DH regulator. I discovered it had a hole in the intake hose, so I fixed it with electrical tape and, much to everyone's amazement, headed out. Unfortunately at about 800 psi out, my regulator started spitting quite a bit of air out, so I headed back with Super Mario. The guy was great. He never left my side and kept his hand on his alternate air supply the entire time. He took his buddy responsibilities very seriously and I am glad that he is the one who chose to escort me back to the sea pool.
This evening we returned to the landing craft and unfortunately, one of our guys was running short on air and was slightly nervous about the return trip to the sea pool. So, ScubaLady with her lightening speed and mighty kick, towed him back to the sea pool against a very strong current. Given that I got a high five and a quick hug for my efforts, I think I did the right thing.
Tonight I have been working on gear and have the primary DH regulator going again (I think). Will test tomorrow morning on the first boat dive.
I talked a nice Canadian (named John) into doing a pre-dawn dive with me, so we are going to hook up about 6am for another jaunt to the landing craft.
While I didn't see much as far as new and exciting critters today, the coral, the diving in general and the challenges have made for a great day of diving!!