USNWC Adventure Series

Spent the last few Wednesdays at the US National Whitewater Center. Had great fun exploring the water, trails and ropes at the center of adventure in the region. The close out of the series www.usnwc.net

Advanced Wilderness Life Support

Spent the weekend with some of the country's best willderness medical experts getting my AWLS certification. Hosted by the Appalachian Wilderness Center, the group of more than 30 went thru senarios and life saving techniques used in the wilderness.

An amazing assembly of medical professionals both as instructors and as students in the mountains of western North Carolina...an ER doctor from Harvard with Everest experience, numerous military personnel, a heart surgeon from the New England, paramedics from Greenville, a physical therapist, an orthopedic surgeon, an MD just back from a stint in Ethiopia, and a Paramedic from 'down under' in the room and everything in between.

Arguably one of the most interesting exchanges was between the instructors and a student. The subject was dressing cavity wounds. The discussion involved somewhat new technology to acheive hemostasis. To stop the bleeding at the source using quick clotting gauze and powder. Based on studies done the quick clot gauze proved highly effective in stopping the bleeding. A young man, who was obviously just home from the war in Afghanistan, rebutted all the technology with his gear that he uses when he goes out on patrol. A few rolls of gauze and an ACE bandage. Saving lives with gauze and ACE bandage!

Learned a great deal and realize again how much more I don't know.

Roatan Close Out

I prepared a summary presentation of some of the incredible images from the trip to Roatan.

Click on the link below, sit back, relax, turn up the sound and enjoy this escape.

Roatan August 2009

082909 Roatan Final Pics

Roatan 082909 Wrap

An amazing week of diving. Met and dove with some wonderful people. Here are some images that are a taste of the 1700+ images. Credit for some of these goes to Ron Hyatt. Actually, the best ones you can bet were from Ron. A great diver and an accomplished photographer. It was a pleasure, Ron. Thanks for the pics!

Roatan 082809 Valley of the Kings

It was another amazing day of diving. Was in the water at 5:20am for a morning dip. A nice dive to start the day. The critters were out and it was a great way to start our last day. The boat left for the Valley of the Kings. Another crack in the reef wall about 90 feet at the exit. Another head first dive straight into the reef floor at 35 feet. A hard right and then the decent into the crevass that opened up at 60 feet but dropped to 90. I baled out at 78 feet to conserve my air for the remainder of the dive. The most amazing event was a 'herd' of squid. After the octopus last night, I was not sure I could top that. But a herd, band, bundle... of squid floated right in front of us. Probably two dozen little green critters with big eyes, float by. They were as curious as we were. The boat drop was to the Prince Albert where I connected with a fellow to dive the airplane wreck and then look for a cool fish he had seen the day before. Paydirt! Great dive... then back to camp to dry out gear and pack up for the trip home in the AM.

082709 Roatan Dolphins and Octopus

The day started with a 5AM dive. Three of us went out to see all kinds of fish looking for breakfast. We ran across a potential dinner in a very large lobster. We passed by quietly. Then to Pirates Point for the morning dive. A largely dead coral bed. It reminded me of a forest that was coming back from a forest fire. Only the coral bed suffered because of an earthquake. Just the same it is coming back. We saw another seahorse, trumpet fish and scorpion fish. I skipped the drop off dive to go for the dolphin dive. With tanks and scuba gear we went to 60 feet to interact with the dolphins. They reminded me of our greyhounds. Fast sleek and just wanting to run and have fun. Amazing creatures. The 'institute' has 23 dolphins with the recent addition of two new babies. Returning to 'camp' we pulled on the tanks and went for a night dive before dinner. The ocean floor lights up at night and lots of creatures come out for dinner. Lots of cucumbers seem to be oozing from the walls. The highlight was the octopus we ran across. Amazing colors and defenses it showed as we stopped to look and cpater the images.

Roatan 082609 Cracks and Horses

Had a great day of diving. Managed an early morning snorkel with a cool encounter with a lobster worthy of a feast. Great schools of fish, undisturbed by the usual clatter and gurgle of divers. A great way to start the day. Then to the boat and to a great dive site called, Calvin's Crack. Not sure who Calvin is/was but he's got a great crack named after him. A sweet headfirst entry at about 30 feet. Straight down to 45 feet then in to the deep to 90 feet. Amazing! Reminded me of the canyoneering we did in Utah, only deep under water. The afternoon dive was to a site called Minagerhea's Reef. A beautiful field of coral and sand to the reef wall. Over the wall to 55ft and then enjoy the reef-life. Angel fish, scorpion fish and some amazing seahorses. Managed to capture some images. Mystical, peaceful little creatures in a hostile, unforgiving environment.

Roatan 082509 Mary's Place

An amazing dive today in the famous Roatan dive known as Mary's Place. A deep 30 foot crack in the coral reef. Entry is at approximately 65 feet. Into the crack and for 50 yards, then left into a rather tight crack for 20 yards to the opening. Great dive and amazing coral along the way. Newman's Wall dropping off the boat and swimming in. Saw a well hidden Scorpion fish seen in the pictures here. Also, look close and you'll see the little brown seahorse.

Roatan 082509 Forty Foot Point

Had a nice dive to the reef wall. All the diving here is generally on a wall of coral. So many different sizes, shapes, colors it is hard to describe. Ran across some more huge crabs. They were just hanging out on the wall watching us go by.

Roatan 082409 Bats for Dinner

After the hummingbirds raid the feeders all day, they retire and give up the feeders to the local Fruit Bat population. They dive bomb the feeders most of the evening. The volume, the speed and the reckless abandon they have to fly in and out of tight quarters is amazing. As luck has it, sometimes, the first picture I took was the best. The rest took the better part of an hour to capture a glimpse.

Roatan 082409 Mr. Bud

Went out this morning on the boat. Seas were a bit rough and I was pretty pooped from Sunday. Made the first dive and sat out the 'drop off' dive. Good thing too. I was back in the game this afternoon and was able to dive Mr. Bud a nice wreck. Saw an absolute huge crab. Legs on the crab were as big as my arms. Crazy! Saw two seahorses but was not able to capture them on film. Odd angles and... operator error. On balance a full day of diving with lots of goodies.

Roatan 082409 Fun Pics

Here are some more pictures.

Roatan 082309 A full day!

It was a full day of diving including a night dive. Amazing colors and some interesting critters. Wall diving is a new experience. Clearing the edge of a coral bed and looking into the deep, deep, deep blue can take your breath away.

Roatan 082309 Morning Bath

Went early this morning for a snorkel just off shoreline. Water was about 80 degrees. A nice morning bath. Ran across some beautiful fish. The sun was not quite above the horizon so the light is not great.

Now for some breakfast and on to the boat!

Roatan 082209 PM

There are lots of hummingbirds buzzing around. They feed at a number of feeders near the dive shop and seem to have grown accustomed to people taking pictures. Larger than the ones that we get at home. Brilliant, emerald green color is hard to capture on film but they light up in the sunlight.

A picture from just outside the room. Am staying on the first floor of this building about 10 feet from the water.

Roatan 082209

Made it in after a comfortable flight. Weather is hot and the air is heavy but that would be expected. CocoView (CCV) is literally right on the water.

Went thru an orientation dive and got a briefing on the wreck in the 'front yard'... the Prince Albert. Then to Newman's Wall and CocoView Wall. Both will be the landing point for the 'drop off' dives in the morning and afternoon. The drop-off is seems is when the boat is heading in and you literally drop off the boat as it cruises in. It makes for a bit of an open water feel as you make your way done the wall and back to CCV. The water was bath-like averaging 85 degrees. Most were diving in shorties or shorts. CCV has been set up as a big-kids playground oriented for diving.

We'll leave in the morning after another briefing. Should prove to be a full day of diving. If the vis and the water temps today are any indication, the week should be great for diving.

Scream!!

As my usual routine calls for tossing and turning around 4AM, of all days I unconsciously roll over and shut off the 3:30AM alarm. Michele woke at 4:20am and the race was on. Shower, coffee and on the road.

Breaking several laws along the way, I made the airport. Last one in the group to make it. Made it thru the checkpoint and now begin the wait for the flight. Made it! whew!! Starbucks!!

Roatan 082109

The bag is packed. Tipping the scale at 39.8 pounds. I think my carry-on weighs nearly as much with all the 'valuables'
Gear has been laid out in the den for two weeks so its good to see it all packed neat and dry in my dive bag. Have iPod, laptop, books, DEET, and SPF50.

Am bringing a new camera and am borrowing a light and computer. Good to go. Will post pics and updates as time and internet permits.