UTD Technical Diver 1 Class Report

March 29, 2009
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Elissa and I just completed the UTD Technical Diver 1 class with Andrew Georgitsis.

At the end, the class made local diving more enjoyable for us. Elissa is more excited about MoCal waters than ever before. We both learned a good deal about ourselves and our team. And we picked up new techniques and refinements of existing ones.

Fun stats:

  • Number of times Don kills Elissa: 2
    • Don protests these kills, “Maybe endangered, but not kill.”

  • Number of times Elissa bends herself: 2
    • Elissa hasn’t popped to the surface since OW some 500 dives ago, but UTD 1 offers new and interesting ways to get oneself in trouble.

  • Successful attempts to run line with a Salvo reel: 0 of 3
    • After the second failure, Don emphatically states to Andrew: “We can run line.” Andrew responds matter of factly, “You show no capability of doing so.”

  • Number of simultaneous failures Don and Elissa can handle: 3
    • Add a fourth, and it’s not pretty. Future dive buddies beware.

  • Number of issues AG suffers throughout the weekend: 8
    • Ranging from chewed up harness to a flat tire.

  • Number of chicken fried steaks consumed at Black Bear Diner: 0.75
    • Even after being ravenous from a hard Day 2, we are unable to finish their large chicken fried steak. And we split the meal too.

  • Things Elissa has learned about herself: many
    • She has crappy trim.
    • She does not freak out when someone takes her mask (surprising).
    • She cannot run line in the ocean.
    • She likes diving helium.
    • One AG frog kicks equals three of her kicks.

  • Things Don has learned about himself: many
    • OW awareness requires more than lights. Constant checking required.
    • Basic arithmetic eludes him.
    • He likes cave diving, this OW stuff is rough sex.
    • Helium makes things pretty.

  • Funny moments:
    • Don comments to Elissa, “I was OOG and then I turned around and you suddenly didn’t have your mask.” Elissa deadpans, “Well, you’re right. I suddenly decided to volunteer my mask to Andrew.”
    • The number of times we gave the one handed gesture for “broken” underwater.
    • Kevin’s excitement and interpretation of our description of day 2, “But you’re smiling when you describe the failures so you must be having a good time.” Nervous laughter does not equal “fun.”
    • On the last day, Elissa says, “I love you, Don.” Don’s response, “No I love yous until you’re geared up.”

  • Interesting quotes:
    • “Tech diving is about recovering from mistakes and not being perfect.”
    • “So the surviving person can write a dive report on the internet…”
    • “Did we pass?”

See our UTD Tech 1 Class Photos.

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