Trip Report – August 5-6, 2006
A small group consisting of Rick Aurich, Ryan Despain, Martin Pollizotto, and I traveled to Del Rio on the evening of Friday, the 4th to continue with our ongoing dive work at GE. We were at full capacity in the Swamp Yacht, though plans are in progress to greatly increase our available boat space (for more diver participation in the future – more on that soon).
Plans included retrieving all data recorders for downloading overnight (before replacement the next day), an inspection of all lines and related hardware, and further testing of the hot-water decompression system.
Rick wisely chose to serve as the support diver (setting deco bottles, etc.) and run the HWDS’s surface unit after recently undergoing carpal tunnel surgery. The bottle-setting went well, but there was a brief problem with the HWDS in which an overly aggressive burner caused the pump motor to overheat (tripping its internal breaker). The incident was a great learning opportunity so that we can enhance the system’s reliability in the future. I will likely install a redundant pump on the unit for future use.
Ryan, Martin, and I entered the water together and we made our way into the Fire Hydrant Tunnel for orientation (and Martin’s first look at the restriction). After a quick look by Ryan and Martin, they retreated to do a thorough inspection of all the lines and hardware in the cave. I made a quick pass beyond the restriction where I found our brand new pull-line was already showing signs of wear. I considered a plan for stopping this wear and pulled the deepest thermistor on the way out. Ryan and Martin pulled the other instruments and we all headed for the exit. Before beginning our ascent the three of us attempted to install a permanent screw-anchor into the ground several feet outside the cave entrance (in the cold/murky water). The bottom consistency (rocky) prevented us from completing this task. We began our ascent following that failed attempt.
Needless to say, I was quite disappointed that we would once again have to decompress in the cold lake water without the aid of the hot-water deco system. I kept trying the station outlets during deco, but it was only when we reached the surface that we heard of the problem with that unit. Oh well.
We had plans to check out some rental boats on the lake (for future dive events) so we headed to port after the first (and only) dive of the day (Saturday). After checking at both the Rough Canyon and Diablo East marinas, we determined that there were really no suitable boats available for our needs. Additionally, we discovered that there were new contractual agreements that prevent outside parties (other than the marinas) from providing boat rentals at Amistad. I’m not so sure I like that deal.
Saturday night we started the download of the Sensus Ultra data recorder, and due to my error (low baud rate setting), the download took something like 11 hours. It finished just in time for our dive the next morning. We also inspected the HWDS and determined what had gone wrong. After a better briefing on its operation, we decided to give it another try on Sunday.
Sunday morning we made a quick run to GE with the goals of re-deploying the data recorders and testing the HWDS. Martin offered to do the recorder placement near the Terminal Piton so Ryan and I followed him in to watch. It was only Martin’s second trip into the Fire Hydrant Tunnel, so I wasn’t overly optimistic that he would be able to complete the task he volunteered for. Still, it was a good learning opportunity for him. After a valiant effort, reason prevailed and Martin drifted backward in the flow passing the recorder to me as he passed by. With the usual difficulty, I managed to get the unit in place.
Before exiting I took a few minutes to slip into the Flowstone Room where I made repairs to the damaged guideline there. We all then poked around on our way to the exit before beginning our deco.
This time, VOILA!, there was HOT WATER available at every deco station from 130 ffw up. I lingered at each stop and basked in the 90+ degree water that filled my wetsuit. A hose-fitting near the groin of my wetsuit (somewhat like a reverse pee-valve) allowed the pressurized water to fill all the areas of my wetsuit with hot water. It was easy to move the flow around from extremity to extremity by raising and lowering my arms and legs (much like air migrates around in a drysuit). Once proven reliable, this system will certainly allow long, comfortable decompression stops in the otherwise cold lake water. This is what will allow us to significantly increase our penetrations in the future.
The deco was uneventful until the 70 ffw stop. Ryan went onto his EAN50 at that level where he pointed out a slow 1st stage leak in his regulator (that I had loaned him). Then in less than a couple of minutes the 1st stage suddenly failed, sending an intense stream of high-pressure gas from the regulator’s end. Ryan seemed unfazed, calmly closing the tank valve and switching to a different cylinder/regulator. Martin and I both stood by to assist, but there was no assistance necessary. Good job Ryan! As it turned out, the regulator’s HP seat had a casting flaw (internal bubble in the nylon) that caused the failure. This sort of problem reinforces the need for good training and even better dive planning.
After that, deco was uneventful as was the trip back to the dock. We drove through a few storms on the way back to Houston, but all made it without incident. All in all, the trip was quite successful.
Chuck