The Bottom Breathers Dive Club meeting discussed winterizing scuba gear for storage, and 2020 trip planning. Upcoming events include underwater pumpkin carving in October and club meetings through December. Liveaboard trips scheduled include Socorro Island in January 2020 and Guadalupe Island in July 2020 for cage diving with white sharks. The club considered potential day trips, a resort getaway, and other special events for 2020.

1. Bottom Breathers Dive Club
Meeting: 11-Oct-2019
Today's topics:
Gear care and winterizing,
2020 planning

2. Upcoming Events
• Oct 20 - Underwater pumpkin carving (Haigh)
• Nov 1 – Club meeting
• Dec 6 - Club meeting
• Jan 11, 2020 - Club party
• Jan 29-Feb 6, 2020 - Socorro Liveaboard
(Nautilus Belle Amie)
• July 31-Aug 5, 2020 - Guadalupe White Shark
Liveaboard (Nautilus Belle Amie)

3. Socorro Island
Liveaboard Info
Trip information
January 29-February 6, *2020*

4. Guadalupe Island
Liveaboard Info
Trip information
Jul 31-Aug 5, *2020*

5. Trip information
• Cage “diving” tethered to the boat
• 2 surface cages (6am-6pm)
• 3 submersible cages (scheduled)
• 2 bait stations (crew only)
• No fins, no scuba – surface-supplied air
• Water temps in July: 72F
• Logistics: Fly to San Diego, bus to Ensenada, MX and
return to San Diego via bus after
• Info: http://www.bottombreathers.org/2018/07/23/bottom-breathers-
liveaboard-31-jul-2020-guadalupe-white-shark-cage-dives/

6. Trip information

7. Trip information
• Jul 31-Aug 5, *2020*--5 nights, 6 days
• Nautilus Belle Amie – 140’ long, 33’ wide
(www.nautilusbelleamie.com)
• 5 cabin classes available (28 spots remaining)
– 4 premium suite berths
– 8 superior suite berths
– 12 lower deck stateroom berths
– 2 single staterooms
– 2 “triple” stateroom berths (3 bunks, 2 occupants)
• Boat can handle 32 “divers” total
• Reserve at info@bottombreathers.org

8. Trip information
• Pricing:
– Premium - $4295 - main deck
– Superior - $3695 - upper deck
– Stateroom - $3195 - lower deck
– Single stateroom - $3994 - lower deck
– Triple stateroom - $2895 - lower deck

9. Trip information
• Payment:
– $100 deposit to reserve a spot (non-refundable)
– 10% due 31-Jan-2019
– 10% due 31-Oct-2019
– 20% due 31-Jan-2020
– balance (~60%) due 1-Jun-2020
• Payment types: paypal, credit card, personal
check, electronic payment

10. Dive Gear Care:
Winterizing & Storage
Once it gets too cold 

11. Gear Care - Basics
• Rinse all gear with fresh water after each use
• Don’t store in the sun
• Wetsuits should be dried inside out (better for
you)
• Ventilate well, ensure everything is dry before
long-term packing
• Try to let the BCD bladder dry well, weight
pockets should dry inside and out too

12. Gear Storage (Long-term)
• Everything: in a dry, well-ventilated space out
of sunlight.
• Wetsuits: inside out to avoid UV damage (but
should be not in sun anyway). Best to roll
wetsuits to avoid creases and avoid stretching
or distorted shapes (from hanging)
• Drysuits: can be stored rolled, zippers open
(reduces zipper stress); ensure inside is dry

13. Gear Storage (Long-term)
• Mask: storage in original container (after drying)
• Fins: flat or with support, not standing on tips or
jammed in end of a bin (distorts shape)
• BCD: Clean the bladder inside! Dry thoroughly
(weight pockets too), leave hanging, slightly
inflated to avoid bladder sticking to itself
• Regulator: Ideally in reg bag, never leave hanging
up, protect from impacts, accidental squishing, or
mouthpiece distorting

14. Gear Storage (Long-term)
• Computer: If separate (wrist, detachable),
store in a hard case with sufficient protection.
• Lights: Remove batteries, lubricate o-
rings/seals
• Cylinder: upright storage, nearly empty (~300
psi), but not empty, not* on concrete or other
surface where moisture could collect
• Dive tool (aka knife): Dry thoroughly, lubricate,
store in sheath/holster

15. Gear Storage (Long-term)
• Servicing: We like to service gear in
springtime. Could do it before winter storage
too.

16. Gear Care - References
• Common sense
• https://www.theadventurejunkies.com/scuba-gear-maintenance-and-
storage-guide/
• https://dipndive.com/blog/managing-your-scuba-diving-storage.html

17. Bottombreathers 2020 Planning
Someday, it will be warm again 

18. Reflections
• Mermet Springs: canceled last 2 years
– Try another quarry? Ohio has a couple? Gilboa?
• Bonne Terre is pricey, but haven’t been in a
long time. Winter trip?
• Florida Keys – skipping 2020 (other trips);
seem to do better when skipping a year
• BBQ @ Quarry – cancelled for 2019 
• Meeting/Pizza party combos seem to work
well

19. New Ideas?
• Get Warm/Wet Trip? Maybe not a dive trip, just a
resort trip to somewhere closer in winter
– Wis Dells indoor Waterpark? Maybe even Gurnee
indoor water park?
– Maybe just a place nearby with a nice
pool/sauna/hottub?
• Summer BBQ @ Dan & Anne’s house instead of
quarry?
• Dive chamber ride – Below H2O doing one in
March 2020

20. Possible 2020 special events
• Jan 11 – club party
• Feb – Travel and/or Dive shows (Rosemont)
• Feb – Possible local resort getaway (warm
pool/sauna/hottub)
• March – Pizza party/meeting, dive chamber
• April – Quarry opening day (but almost
nobody goes)
• June – Club BBQ – at Dan & Anne’s house?

21. Possible 2020 special events
• July – Guadalupe white shark trip
• Aug – Ohio quarry trip?
• Sep – Mermet…3rd time’s the charm?
• Oct – Pizza Party, pumpkin carving
• Nov –
• Dec –

22. Upcoming Events
• Oct 20 - Underwater pumpkin carving (Haigh)
• Nov 1 – Club meeting
• Dec 6 - Club meeting
• Jan 11, 2020 - Club party
• Jan 29-Feb 6, 2020 - Socorro Liveaboard
(Nautilus Belle Amie)
• July 31-Aug 5, 2020 - Guadalupe White Shark
Liveaboard (Nautilus Belle Amie)