Oops. I did it again.

[blobbottlebob]

And most places have gold nuggets just covering the river bottom if you can just get past the Indians.......Ron

This is funny Ron. Most of the Indians here are enjoying the fruits of the local casinos they own.

As for diving with a partner, I sometimes do. I like to go out with a buddy because, frankly, every activity is more fun when you share it with a friend. But the buddy system just doesn't work when you are bottle diving. One of us goes this way, the other that. Usually the visibilty is so bad that we never see each other while underwater. We hook up at the end and comapre finds and experiences, but really, we are just diving alone - - together.

 

[blobbottlebob]

Trouble maker ! LOL

Thanks Geeman. I guess I can't argue with that (although I really wasn't trying to make trouble. I just did it.)

 

[Penn Digger]

I find your story both funny and a bit sincerely nice. Funny that some folks may have over reacted, but nice that they cared enough to be concerned about your safety when so many people today turn a blind eye or could care less to "get involved."

PD

 

[blobbottlebob]

Thanks Penn,
I guess that is looking at the bright side of it. I'm wondering now if my hobby is putting a bit too much stress on these folks. Maybe I should go back to my old launching points?

 

[blobbottlebob]

They should have some kind of set-up where you check in or something.

Hey Laur,
I have been pondering this one. You could call the local authorities every time you go out but what if there was an accident? You would want them to respond then. There are also logistical problems. You'd need a list of local police departments and sheriff's offices handy to call depending on where you are going. Then, we often change dive spots if conditions don't look right or whatever . . .

The simple solution might be to put a piece of paper on the driver's seat of my car that says, "I am our scuba diving. In the normal course of things, I expect to return between 7:15 and 7:30". (or something like that).

 

[Penn Digger]

How about a note that says by the time you read this I will be at the bottom of the lake. Don't worry or call the authorities, it's where I want to be. LOL

 

[blobbottlebob]

Not bad PD.
Or . . .
I'm gonna swim with the fishes for awhile. If you don't wanna join me, stay away from the car.

 

[Penn Digger]

If you are going to swim with the fishes, don't they usually tie some weights around your neck of feet?

PD

 

[downeastdigger]

Very cool story and post. Wish you had some bottle pix to go with it but next time for sure.

I've had a couple of times where someone called 911, and the fire dept. shows up, and you wind up feeling guilty for all the unnecessary fuss and worry. But it sounds likek your experience was pretty darn positive, with some good hearted people just checking on you, and making sure you were ok.

i wish having a dive partner was an easier thing to do. The two guys I dive with , Chuck and Kevin, are self employed, and have un predictable schedule. Also, some of the rivers I dive are really small, and not ideal for diving with more tt
take care, Bram

 

[blobbottlebob]

don't they usually tie some weights around your neck of feet

Yea PD,
I do use weights to get down - lead weights in fact. But I try not to tie them onto myself or anyone else.






As an unfortunate aside (do not read this is you don't like bad stories),

The guy who drowned while bottle diving (where I was) apparently did not have very good experience or training. He was wearing overalls and he had trouble sinking to the bottom. He filled his overalls with rocks, managed to sink, but then didn't pay enough attention to his gages and ran out of air. He couldn't get the rocks out of his suit in time to get back to the surface and drowned. Aweful story. Another reminder to be careful out there.