Flower gardens

[Venio]

Hello to all,

I'm about to get my OW certification this weekend with ST. I was thinking about diving somewhere in Texas and I found a company that organize charters to the Flower Gardens. I was wandering if any of you has experience with that diving site? Also, I'd like to hear your advises about these king of boat trips.

If you wonder, the charter comapny I'm talking about is http://www.gulf-diving.com/index.html.

[Blindref757]

Although I haven't personally been on this charter, all accounts indicate that you should probably have a few (50-ish) dives under your belt before taking on this endeavor.

The reasoning behind this suggestion has to do with the depth of the dives, the navigation, the propensity for fairly strong current, and the ZERO tolerance policy for mistakes. The divemasters and capitains don't jack around with stupid mistakes.

Also, it's a matter of courtesy. You wouldn't want to make a rookie mistake, get bent, and cause 12-15 other divers to lose their weekend of diving and their $400.

For the cost of a trip to the FG, you can get a trip to Cozumel for a week and practice in much safer conditions with divemasters in the water that are used to inexperienced divers. Plus, the food and beer is cheap!!!

[awap]

Originally Posted by Blindref757

For the cost of a trip to the FG, you can get a trip to Cozumel for a week and practice in much safer conditions with divemasters in the water that are used to inexperienced divers. Plus, the food and beer is cheap!!!

<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>You sound like my wife. A week in Coz, with diving is going to run about $1000 if you can find cheap air. So an FGB trip is a bargain on a cost per dive basis. </DIV>
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<DIV>But itisbest to get some experience in a more benign environment before you take it on. You (and your buddy) are pretty much on your own for conducting dives out there. You need to be able to follow directions (no boat DM in the water), plan your dive, manage your gas (deptjh &amp; time), and navigate. In calm seas with light currents, it is pretty easy. In 4 foot seas and variable 1 knot currents, even experienced divers have had their skills seriously challenged. </DIV>
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<DIV>You might try a couple day trips to offshore rigs before you tackle FGB.</DIV>

[ParrotheadDiver]

Venio....as awap has stated get a few more dives under your weight belt....the flower gardens are not for beginners IMO.....getting back on a boat in rough seas swinging on a ladder is not my idea of fun....currentsand seas can change in a matter of minutes in the gulf...these are deep dives....

[Venio]

Thanks for your answers.

I hope none of you thought I was going to FG the weekend after certification [img]smileys/smiley36.gif[/img]. The reason I asked is that I want to make my preparations in the right direction, including a lot of diving prior to my departure for the gulf.


Again thanks, and all comments are appreciated.

[Blindref757]

I didn't know the CG did helicopter plucks from the Spree and Fling? That's good for the other divers I suppose.

BTW--yes Venio--your original post sounded like you were headed to Freeport with your Temporary Certification Card!!! Sorry that I misinterpreted that.

And just to clarify--The FG are cheaper than Coz when you look at the total package, but the value to me is better in Coz. But, I'm a guy that likes to enjoy the topside after a couple of good dives. To each their own!!!

[Venio]

ReefHound, I don't want sound like smart [img]smileys/smiley35.gif[/img], but there is no indication that the diver was new to the sport. However, his age is reported as 64. Could that be the reason?

I found a research performed by the USAF on the effect of age on DCS. The report says that the people over the age of 42 are almost twice more susceptible to DCS then younger people. To be true to the facts, the research was for altitude change not depth. However, the mechanism of decompression in both cases is the same and the relationship between age and DCS susceptibility should be the fairly close.

Here you can find the report by Sulaiman, et al: http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&amp;verb=getRecord&amp;metadataPrefix=html&am p;identifier=ADA297023

As of diving in high waves and current I'll agree with you. I will definitely take it one step at a time. Staring with deep dives at lakes around here or even better by finishing the AOW.

Thanks goes to all that reply!

[Vercingetorix]

I'm schedule to dive on the Flower Gardens on 18-19 August. By then, I will have fewer than 20 dives, including only one in blue water (Catalina). The ONLY reason I'm considering going is that my dive buddy will be Mac MacPherson, who was my ScubaToys OW instructor this past January. I also have AOW and will complete (hopefully) Rescue this next weekend.


So, the question is, is this a smart dive for me, or is Mac trying to kill me? I can't ask Mac, he's diving in Cancun as I write this.

[awap]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

I'm schedule to dive on the Flower Gardens on 18-19 August. By then, I will have fewer than 20 dives, including only one in blue water (Catalina). The ONLY reason I'm considering going is that my dive buddy will be Mac MacPherson, who was my ScubaToys OW instructor this past January. I also have AOW and will complete (hopefully) Rescue this next weekend.


So, the question is, is this a smart dive for me, or is Mac trying to kill me? I can't ask Mac, he's diving in Cancun as I write this.

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<DIV>You can't beat August forfavorable sea conditions. Just remember to make sure you understand the dive plan for each dive and are comfortable with the plan. Don't be afraid to sit a dive out if you are not sure you can handle it. You don't want to be totally dependent on your buddy. Use that compass. Don't just trust your buddy to manage depth, gas, and NDLs. I saw an instructor/buddy bring a diver to the surface while she still had a deco obligation. The DM on the Spree got here back in the water to work off the deco in time to not have to miss 24 hours of diving. And then she had a word or two with the diver's instructor buddy.</DIV>
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<DIV>You are responsible for your dives.</DIV>
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<DIV>Enjoy and remember - the ropes are your friend.</DIV>
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[Vercingetorix]

Don't be afraid to sit a dive out if you are not sure you can handle it. You don't want to be totally dependent on your buddy...You are responsible for your dives.

Naturally. NAUI drills that into us the moment we walk into class the first day. I have no problem calling a dive, and have done so.