Equipment Checkup!

The first trip out in late spring, early summer to Marmora usually signals to divers that the season is indeed open.  All of the excitement and anticipation of being able to dive comes with but a few challenges. 

• Have you had a yearly checkup and are in good health to dive? 
•  Did you remember to have the tanks inspected? 
•  Did you check your wetsuit to ensure it fits…still?   

Whatever the reason is to get out and dive that first weekend, don’t wait to get your gear, inspected, repaired and in working order; by the time that weekend arrives, Dive shops will be overrun with requests, orders and repairs.

This makes the situation most stressful when waiting for equipment to be repaired the week before the dive trip.  Hoping and praying that your equipment will be ready and that you won’t have to rent unfamiliar gear.

First Checks

All equipment is different and requires annual/semi-annual safety inspections, replacement parts and preventive maintenance. If unsure check with the manufacturer.  Some certifying agencies also put out a ‘suggested’ preventative maintenance schedule. My Regs are in the shop once a year at the end of September for their annual checkup. I only trust the professionals with my regs.  They can test, adjust and replace.  I can always rest easy knowing I'm diving with full functional equipment.

‘Personally’ speaking, I like to start with my lights, and work my way around the things that I can check myself.

Lights: At the end of every season, I take out my rechargeable batteries and put them into an air-tight bag for the next dive. As we take them out in the spring, I fully charge and test the batteries; I like to leave my light on for 1h to ensure that the batteries are still fully functional.

Exposure Suit:  If you’ve already washed and pretreated your wetsuit from last season, then the only thing to do is to re-lube and test the zippers, do an inspection of the zippers and Velcro, check all the seams for small tears – use chalk to mark area’s that need repair prior to taking it into the shop.

               *Small tip?  Most tailors can repair/replace zippers – which might be a less costly option.

Knives and Dive Tools:  Clean and sharpen – If you don’t know how, seek out professional help.  A sporting goods store was able to sharpen a serrated blade for me, and also provided a silicone spray to help protect my dive knives/tools from rusting.

Fins:  Pull on the strap, adjust it, and inspect it for cracks.  Clean and treat the silicone, and moving parts.  If you’ve had to use your ‘spare’ strap during previous dives, then perhaps it’s time to order new straps.  Spring straps will also benefit from silicon lube spray.

If you have camera gear – clean, or replace o-rings and re-silicone in a clean environment.  A new o-ring for your camera might cost $5.00, but could save that $1000 camera from a leak.(the same goes for the o-rings on dive lights/torches)

Dive computers – Check and replace battery if needed.  Ensure the date and time is correct.

Patricia Sideris, ASC Communications

Some expert Tips From our Equipment Manager Joe;

We are well into the New Dive Season! Have you checked your dive gear YET?????

The following is a good start:

Mask, fins and snorkel:

·        Examine all straps for cracking or faulty latches.

·        How is the fit of your mask? Does it seal properly? Look for any cracking around the skirt.

·        Inspect your snorkel for cracked or ripped mouth piece. Look for tears or cracking on the webbing that holds the snorkel to the mask.

Regulator set:

Have they been maintained based on the manufacturer’s requirements? If so, the following additional checks should be made:

·        Check the mouth piece for cracking or tears. Replace if necessary.

·        Inspect hoses for defects on the exterior. Pull back hose protectors and look for cracking, bubbling or tears.

·        Verify that your compass and gauges are in good working order. (Make sure that the compass is properly seated in boot or gauge set! More than one has popped out at the wrong time!!!!)

·        If your gauge set is equipped with a computer, now would be a great time to replace the battery if it’s getting questionable! Many a dive has been lost due to a failed computer….

BC’s

·        Verify the exterior is in good condition with no tears etc.

·        Manually inflate your BC. Will it hold the pressure for 20 minutes?

·        Check the waist straps and latches for proper operation.

Tanks

·        Up to date Hydro and Visual inspection (Remember, Hydro is good for 5 years and the visual inspection is required every year.)

·        If equipped, check under the plastic tank boot for debris and / or corrosion.

·        Check for damage to the tank o ring. Replace if necessary.

Last but not least, check your exposure protection for proper fit! MANY have been known to shrink over the winter for unknown reasons. (Suit manufactures are still trying to fix this problem!!)

Have a safe and enjoyable dive season all!

Joe Pascoe, Equipment Manager

More information about Diving, upgrading your current skills, or to try out diving in a pool during one of our Discover Dives simply contact us using the information below, it’s that easy!

Also, if you learn to Scuba Dive with us, your membership is included for your first year of diving.

We also welcome Divers certified by any recognized SCUBA training agency.

Just contact us:

info@ajaxscubaclub.on.ca or call (905) 619-2159 and leave a message.

Check us out:  www.ajaxscubclub.on.ca

Tobermory

The last long weekend my dive buddy and I had the pleasure of joining in on the Tobermory charter with our other Ajax Scuba Club members.

*Wonderful*

I have never seen waters so clean and clear, or expected to see fresh water in Ontario look so blue.  Just stunning.  The other thing that divers will be stunned at?  The water temperature.

Warmest temperature recorded on my computer; 55°F, 12.7°C , coldest?  A mind numbing, reg freezing, icicles on my fingers; 42°F, 5.5°C

DAY 1

San Jacinto

Depth 80F, 24.5M.

She’s quite a way out off of Yeo Island, and was not discovered to 1989.  She was wrecked – with no lives lost on June 20, 1881.  

This large wooden schooner is split wide open but still has many artifacts intact.  

We were able to clearly identify massive dead-eye rigging some intact and some just left off the bow resting on the lake bed with part of the railing.  One of our divers (Derrick) who ventured the entire length of the ship recorded a temperature of 38°F/3°C. 

City of Cleveland

Depth 40F, 12.2M

The City of Cleveland is a ‘easy dive’.  Great light pouring in from the sun the wreck can be seen from the surface and lies in less than 40F/12M of water.  She’s a twin-decked, four-masted, wooden steamer.  

Completely broken up.  Great photo opt for divers have to be the two large boilers or the rudder and massive propeller.  She sank on September 15, 1901 in a snow storm when she ran aground.  No lives were lost

.DAY 2

The Niagara II

Depth 48 to 89F, 14 to 27

As the Captain warned us, this is the coldest water diving (next to ice diving) that you will ever do…

The Niagara II was scuttled on May 15, 1999, for the express purpose of creating a new dive site.  It is not recommended for penetration unless you are trained for wrecks, have the proper equipment and have planned and prepared.  Even then our Captain warned against it due to the heavy slit that now fills every room.  This 180F long freighter and sand dredge has ‘many’ new sites on it – you will find a bicycle, and a sea-doo.  This ship is intact and upright, but it’s very important to keep an eye on your air, and your depth.  Even with full sun, the site is a bit gloomy due to its location next to a rock wall.  The Captain also warned of these dive hazards; free flow, and cold temperatures.

The Caves / Grotto

Depth 70F, 21M to surface

Parked off the cost of what the Captain calls Bikini bay we are met with people launching themselves off the cliffs.  

Captain explains the dive plan.  Drop below the boat – the sand is at 70F/21M you don’t have to go all the way down, watch your computer and stay around 40F/12M, if you kick hard, in 25 strong fin kicks you will start to see the formations of the island.  Follow it up and in-between two large boulders you will see and opening.  Swim in and up 15F/4.5M and you will surface into a cave.  This cave will have lots of screaming children, and members of the public asking you where you came from and how you can breathe underwater. (The jokes continue from the Captain here) 

Most important things to remember; once you start the assent to the cave opening, get in as fast as possible.  There are cliff jumpers and we don’t want an accident.  

On your way back to the boat, watch your depth, two boat lengths away and there is a 500F drop off, if you get below 79F/21M, surface slowly, completing your safety stop and look for the boat.

The best part for me (at the Grottos) was sharing a moment with a family of Divers, Mark & Jane, and their son Thomas.

 I found a Cray fish and it swam from my hand to theirs – and they captured it on the GoPro.  I just love seeing families diving together.

SHORE DIVES

The TUGS

Depth 40F, 13M

Few of our Ajax Scuba Club members had fun checking out the amazing shore dives.   Within walking distance of the shore you can start to see remnants of four small steam tugs (Alice G, Robert K, John & Alex, and the Bob Foote) .  Also suitable for snorkeling, it’s a great place to come out if you have an extra day, or air left in your tanks from your charter.  You’ll find free parking and a washroom here.  Ensure you have a dive flag visible at all times and stay with the marked diving areas. *** Site plan maps are available at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre.

Ajax Scuba Club had the pleasure of diving with a charter booked out of The Divers Den.  Our charter boat, piloted by Captain Jason was roomy and perfect for the twelve of us.  Captain Jason was constantly 

Captain Jason

feeding us facts, jokes, and cookies. He has inside knowledge of the wrecks we dived on, and shares a passion for diving like we all do.  It made a great dive weekend – a fantastic weekend.

You have to love it when, on the rare occasion you have the perfect dive.  Great Location, fantastic conditions, and outstanding charter staff.  It might be a Captain, or  Dive Master, or even a buddy that has inside knowledge, that makes  your dive that much better.  I can usually tell from the dive briefing when a good dive is about be to a great dive.

I was right – they were all great dives.

On tropical charters you might expect an orange slice after your dive, here in Tobermory expect the real Canadian deal; Maple leaf cookies.

Thank you Captain Jason of The Divers Den, our fearless leader and Dive Master Colin and the rest of the Ajax crew that made this trip one we looking forward to repeating.

Personal notes;

1.       Plan the dive, dive the plan – never dive outside your training or comfort limits.

•     It’s required that you register with the Fathom Five National Marine Park as a certified diver and obtain your marine park pass.
•      Weekend pass is $9, and you get a paper wrist band – go for the season pass for $19 and get a cool medallion souvenir for your BCD.
•       Always book your camping/hotel prior to the Dive season opening.   Tobermory is Very popular.
•     You CAN NOT dive these sites without the proper exposure suit and equipment. ***
•      I tried to wear 3mil gloves on the first dive and I had to cut my dive short because of the pain. (Thank you Chantel for lending me her warmer gloves)
•     Many of the wrecks require a torch to look inside, or underneath
•     Know proper free flow procedures and how to deal with them. 
•     Discuss emergency and dive abort procedures with your buddy.
•     Bring a warm sweater or jacket and a beanie for pre/post dive time on the charter – did I mention that Tobermory was cold?

Helpful Links;

Fathom Five National Marine Park

Divers Den Tobermory

Places to stay in Tobermory

Camping in Tobermory

Season Open'er

The 2014 Ajax Scuba Club Dive Season begins this weekend with our Student Open Water Checkout.

We know you will all Do GREAT! 

A quick Note from our Equipment Manager Ian Smith;

"I look forward to seeing everyone over the season, either on a dive or at the back room."

The Ajax Community Center is undergoing renovations, including parking areas, roads and playing fields to provide a new road from Bayly south to Clements, to service new construction, the hospital and Community Center.

They will be closing access to the area either from the north or south, depending on where they are working at that time.  Currently, the northern access to the backroom is closed and we must access the community center via Clements Rd.

The Backroom will be open from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on the Thursday before a dive weekend for rentals and air fills, and the Tuesday after a dive weekend for equipment returns.

***The only scheduled exception would be for the Prescott Family Camping Weekend over the July long weekend, where returns will occur on Thursday July 3rd

For those who have not been to the backroom, it is located in the South-East corner of the Ajax Community Center.  When staffed, the external door will be open, and a club sign will be visibly by the doorway.

Equipment Rental Prices remain the same as last year.

Cylinders - 1st Tank - 3rd, 5th	$10.00
Cylinders - 2nd Tank - 4th, 6th	$5.00
Buoyancy Compensator (BCD)	$20.00
Regulator Set	$20.00
Dive Flag	Free  (When Required)
Packages - All of the Above	$50.00   (Save $5.00)
Student Package (first summer diving with the club)	$40.00 (Save $15.00)

***For Open Water Students on their open water weekend, all rental equipment is provided as part of the open water check-out.

Equipment Concerns/Questions please contact Ian at;
Ian Smith - ASC Equipment Manager <equipment@ajaxscubaclub.on.ca>

Now Get out there and Dive, Dive, Dive.  "The Pool is Open"
Have a happy and safe Dive Season.

Ajax Scuba Club General Spring Meeting

Calling all Members and new friends, It's that time again!!!

Guest Speaker, 50/50 Draw, Door Prizes, T-shirts and drinks.

To be held Sunday April 6th at 1:00 pm at the Ajax Community Centre, 75 Centennial Road, in the Commodore Room.

 Topics Include:

• Membership
• 2014 Dive Schedule
• Guest Diver Program
• Upcoming Training Available
• Club merchandise

We are suggesting that you please bring at least 2 cheques for the dive depost and membership fee (Due immediately) and dive balance (due May 31st)  Please don't fill out the cheques until the dives of your choice have been confirmed.  If you are not attending the meeting send a separate cheque for the membership fee.
Bring additional cheques/cash as there will be items for sale (T-shirts, 50/50 Draw) and Course sign enrolments at the meeting.  PLEASE BRING a PEN.

The 2014 Dive Schedule was sent out via email from our Dive Coordinator Delsie.

If you did not receive it, or need more information - please check out our website:
www.ajaxscubaclub.on.ca
-Or- 
Contact Delsie directly at divecoordinator@ajaxscubaclub.on.ca

This year we will be honored to host guest speaker Scott Wilson, The Host and Producer of the TV show Descending.  Scott will speak about his adventures with Dive Buddy Ellis and the rest of the Descending crew as they explored the underwater world.
Scott has done two shows - both carried by the OLN Network; Departures, and Descending [Which was nominated for FOUR Canadian Screen Awards!]

For more information on Descending, Crew Bio, Episodes and video clips check out Descending TV website:
http://descendingtv.com/
Scott will also be offering 'Descending' merchandise and DVD's for purchase.

For Directions to the Meeting please click the link below:
Ajax Community Centre
75 Centennial Rd
Ajax, ON L1S 4S4

Hope to see Everyone!!!

Sunday Breakfast

Please Join Us for Sunday Morning Breakfast!

Shelley our ASC Social Director has organized the next breakfast and we would love to see everyone there. If you missed us last time @ Cora’s, there is no excuse!!!

  It's your chance to come out for a meet and greet with other club members.

Shelley has booked the next breakfast at Ted's, for February 16th 2014, 8:45 am.

404 Old Kingston Rd.  Corner Kingston Rd.

Date :  Sunday February 16th

Place :  Ted’s Restaurant

Address: 404 Old Kingston Road, Toronto, M1C 1B6, Canada.   +1 416-282-2204

Time :  8:45 am

Please confirm your attendance by February 14th..

Thanks, hope to see you all there.

Shelley

ASC Social director 

Click to R.S.V.P.

Directions and Map Click Here

Sunday Mornings

Please Join Us for Sunday Morning Breakfast!
 Shelley our ASC Social Director has organized the next breakfast and we would love to break a record for the most in attendance.  It's your chance to come out for a meet and greet with other club members.

Now we all seem to be back on a regular schedule, and are ready to get together again.

So our  Sunday breakfasts are back !!

Date :  Sunday January 19

Place :  Cora's

Address:  1755 Pickering Pky

Time :  9:00 am

Please confirm with me if you will join us.

Thanks, hope to see ya all there.

Shelley

ASC Social director 

Click to R.S.V.P.

Directions and Map Click Here

First Ever Dive [Discover Scuba]

January, the first month of the year finds me reminiscing of other firsts.  My first time breathing underwater, my first open water dive, my first large aquatic life sighting.

For many this brings great smiles and hearty laughs as they remember their firsts.

First Ever Dive [Discover Scuba]

 Our first time trying Scuba was in Cozumel Mexico, it was on a Discover dive that I had one of the best and worst experiences of diving.  When a resort Divemaster approached us pool side I must have given some ridiculous reason for not diving as his reaction was to laugh hysterically.  We had some of the best “Snorkel gear” he’d ever seen and was surprised that we were not divers.

My preconceptions of diving came from my Aunt’s friends who were police divers.  They would share their stories with her, or my mom, and I would over hear them talking about all of the “Red Tape” before they even got to try scuba in a pool setting.  This however was back in the 70’s and it left me with the idea that Scuba Diving was best left to the professionals.  How wrong I was.

The Cozumel Divemaster provided a tank and regs and helped us into the pool.  Soon we were scooting along the bottom, and loving it.  Both of us couldn't believe how well we took to it.  Scuba seemed so natural, so easy, like breathing.  LOL

Next step would be to try this new skill in the open water – our mini scuba lesson included some basics in the pool and two open water dives on the Cozumel reef.

Have you ever heard that the most dangerous thing in the world is a little bit of information? Not knowing what it is that you don’t know can scare anyone.  I am an information based person, detail orientated.  To function properly at any task I need to have all the facts.  

On the 20 minute boat ride out to the reef, suited up in a men’s large 8 millimeter wetsuit, that I could not move in and it felt very heavy to me, I started to get very nervous. This was the first time I had even seen most of the equipment that they were now strapping to my body. It was all a bit over whelming.  The weight belt and lead weights were so tight they were digging into my ribs.  I notified the Divemaster that I wasn't sure about this and that I had butterflies, but he reassured me that it was all normal/routine. There were five of us that had never dived before with one Divemaster.  He was focusing on hand signals, while I was trying to ask practical ‘what if’ questions.  There was so much equipment involved, and I had no idea what 80% of it was for.  I did not  even know how to add or dump air from my BCD.  As my mind started to create reasons for not going forward with this crazy idea, the boat motors came to a halt.

Everyone stepped up to the edge and the captain was yelling “Dive, Dive, Dive” I wasn't sure how to “Dive” off the boat; I've never done this before.  Before I knew what was happening, I got a shove from the person behind me, my equipment flooded and I was sinking and panicking.  I took off my mask and bobbed to the surface to realize I was alone.  I was coughing and heaving and kicking like crazy to keep afloat.  Soon I was met by a very upset Divemaster who told me to get my mask on and get below.

My answer?  I told him to *FORGET* it and that I wanted to get back on the boat. 

His answer?  “What Boat? Please get down the line, your husband and the others are at the bottom and I can’t leave them alone”

The boat had left, and realizing that there really was no other choice; I sucked it up buttercup and down the line I went, convinced that I would indeed die in Mexico as my mother-in-law had predicted.

To cope with my inner turmoil, I hummed the Beatles - Octopus’s Garden and counted to five every breath in and out.  The one piece of really good information that stuck with me was that holding your breath and panic were two of the worst things you could do while diving.  So I made sure to steer clear of those behaviors.

Just as I started to accept my fate, or rather relax, the Divemaster was signaling me to hurry around a large coral head to where the rest of the group was.  As I came clumsily around a put both hands up to stop and became vertical again, my knees came up under me. As I knelt, a very large turtle around 400 lbs floated gently over top of my head.  I kept blinking as it drifted about 30 cm just above me, I seen every detail of its shell.  The complex pattern, scars, and bumpy skin of its feet and tail.  It was my “God Moment”.  How could something this large and heavy, fly over me?

It was weightless, like me. I too could fly in this environment, and enjoy weightlessness.  My Zen, nirvana found.

Right there in that minute, everything that lead up to this point was forgotten and I knew in my heart that I would learn all there was to know about Scuba Diving, and be the best I could be at this sport.  It became an obsession, a passion.

If you ask if I would do it all again?   I would, but not on a resort.  Get to know the facts; a big part of diving is trust.  Dive with people you know, locally, join our club, and do your Discover Dive with a friend. Spend the time learning to dive, with someone who is willing to spend the time helping you learn.

Even seasoned, licenced divers like to try out their equipment in a pool prior to using it in open water.  A pool is a fantastic, SAFE place to get familiar with equipment and practice and fine tune your skills.

I encouraged both of my kids to try Scuba diving, they did so, in a controlled environment, with a local dive club and people we know and trust, right here in our own community.

More information about Diving, upgrading your current skills, or to try out diving in a pool during one of our Discover Dives simply contact us using the information below, it’s that easy!

Also, if you learn to Scuba Dive with us, your membership is included for your first year of diving.

We also welcome Divers certified by any recognized SCUBA training agency.

Just contact us:

info@ajaxscubaclub.on.ca or call (905) 619-2159 and leave a message.

Check us out:  www.ajaxscubclub.on.ca

We'd love to hear about your first dive.  Post below in the comments or visit us on Facebook;

Patricia Sideris on behalf of the Ajax Scuba Club.

Holidays at the Divers House

`Part 1 – Stuffing Stockings’

What does the diver want to find in his/her stocking? Easy..

·         Noise Maker

o   Name brands include; Scuba Bells, Aqua Maraca ($10 to $20)

o   Allows the diver to get others attention

o   Great budget friendly option for new divers

·         Indicator Light

o   Small, reusable light, can be attached to anchor line or to your tank on a night dive.

o   Environmentally friendly alternative to one use glow sticks

o   Price, usually under $20, or sometimes comes as part of a light kit.  Extra batteries can be found at the dollar store.

·         O-Rings

o   Small pack is about $5 to $10

o   KNOW if your diver will be diving Nitrox or Air

o   Can be bought in a handy key chain that looks like a scuba tank

·         Silicone Lube

o   A must for any seal, flashlights, camera’s and great to pre-treat zippers on wet/dry suits (and winter boots).

o   About $5

·         Anti-Fog / Defog

o   Can come in gel or spray format, used for masks

o   Some divers have a particular favourite product (sneak a peak in their dive bag)

o   Can run between $7 to $15