Burr Hole to Blue Hole: Conclusion
Posted By Charles Engles on 20 February 2006
Back at the Hole, Aharon wanted me to try his own super-trick, double-throw-down, Russian fiberglass blades and they provided yet another measure of improved efficiency. Aharon showed me how to do the foot pocket and blade surgery to manage the transplant when my Russian blades arrive to replace the carbon.
The Hole sessions were becoming easier as I adjusted to the cool water. The style was easier to manage and the fins were a definite improvement. Depths were increasing and primarily limited by my cautious protection of my squeaky ears. The post-dive video review did show that I have a much-improved technique and actually looked like I was pretty smooth over the whole dive sequence. This was encouraging progress.
The last day was to have morning practice with breath-hold walking, but equipment failure prevented it. We had, instead, a didactic session on it. Adjourning to the Hole, the whole sequence came easily from the empty lung warm-ups to using the proper style for a swim to below 20 meters. The bottom was easily in sight and the dives were comfortable, but , alas, the ears prevented the climax of reaching the bottom of the Blue Hole. Never mind. There will be other opportunities.
In the Blue Hole sessions usually lasted about 60 to 90 minutes and were usually limited by squeaky ears and the onset of mild leg cramps due to the cold. Field testing by the group showed that 3 mm was inadequate, 5 mm was the minimum, 7/5 mm plus a 3mm hooded vest was pretty good and a full 7mm suit was toasty warm, but very buoyant. Out of the Blue Hole, static tables, theory and practice were done in the bath-warm water of the La Quinta Inn. The physical resources of the Santa Rosa area were very adequate. Excellent New Mexican cuisine was found at the Comet II restaurant ( closed Mondays !) and a surprisingly wonderful wait staff serves comedy and a more conventional menu at Denny’s. The La Quinta Inn had standard accommodations and the extra benefit of the nearly perfect facility for statics, stretching and meeting room for afternoon didactic sessions.
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