Monthly dive club meeting notes

1. Bottom Breathers Dive Club
Meeting: 5-Feb-2016
Today's topics: Club party report,
Keys trip info, proper descent
techniques

2. 2016 Events
• Next meeting – Mar 4
• Our World Underwater – Feb 26-28
• Pizza Party – Apr 23
• Our "usual" Florida Keys Trip – June 16-20
• Turks & Caicos Liveaboard – July 23-30

3. 2016 Events
• Monthly Club meeting – Aug 12 (not first
Friday)
• Club BBQ – Aug 13
• Mermet Springs Trip – Sep 9-11
• Underwater Pumpkin Carving – Oct 8
• Pizza Party – Nov 12

4. Florida Keys Trip 2015

28. Florida Keys Trip 2016
• June 16-19 (flying on Jun 15 and 20)
• 4 days of diving: 2 morning deep wreck dives,
2 afternoon shallower reef dives, 1 night dive
(maybe)
• Sharing rooms at Ocean Pointe Condos
• 8 afternoon dives + room = $595
• 16 dives + room = $919
• Night dive will be extra

29. Florida Keys Trip 2016
• Air tanks + weights included
• Nitrox tanks = +$7 per tank
• Flights and car rentals extra (can share cars)
• $150 deposit (refundable until May 1st) to
book a spot -> info@bottombreathers.org

30. Annual Club Party - Jan 30
• 25 partiers attended!
• Catering by Sharkos BBQ
• Club spent:
– $145.29 - drinks
– $278.39 - BBQ
– $26.65 - plates, cups, supplies
– $157.28 - awards for year attendance + founding
member tags

31. Annual Club Party - Jan 30

32. Annual Club Party - Jan 30

33. Annual Club Party - Jan 30

34. Annual Club Party - Jan 30

35. Annual Club Party - Jan 30

36. Annual Club Party - Jan 30

38. Proper Descent Techniques
• Don't rush - higher risk of equalization issues if
you go too fast
• Use snorkel or reg at the surface - unless
water is flat calm, always protect the airway
– this can also help you relax while waiting
• Control your descent - proper weighting
– protect environment by not touching the bottom

39. Proper Descent Techniques
• Maintain buddy contact during descent
• Equalize ears on surface before descent
– One guide: equalize after every breath < 30 fsw
• Weight check, especially if long surface swim
– Also make sure you have enough - air has mass
• If you aren't comfortable or not ready, don't
descend (the fish will wait for you)

40. Proper Descent Techniques
• Remember: mnemonic SORTED
– Signal
– Orient
– Regulator in
– Time noted (start of dive time)
– Exhaust BCD *and* Exhale
– Descend
• Gravity works!

41. Proper Descent Techniques
• Stop finning/kicking
• Head up orientation - helps avoid vertigo,
especially at night
• Look below you, especially if bubbles are
coming up (fish don't usually blow bubbles)
• Use a line or other reference if needed, ask for
one if you would like one
• Others?
• http://scubadiverlife.com/2016/02/03/dive-
tips-proper-descent-techniques/

42. Upcoming Events
• Next meeting – Mar 4