Alex suggested that we should go to Gildenburgh to do the first dive of the year but due to slipping on the ice, cracking his head and visiting A&E after an LSAC night out on Friday he was advised not to dive. Unfortunately, the rest of us didn’t have an excuse not to go. 3 cars left Lowestoft around 7 am and met up for the traditional breakfast at Swaffham. The weather wasn’t very good, it was grey and overcast with constant light rain, but after our pit stop, we continued with the journey and checked it at the dive site at 9:20. Surprisingly, there were a lot of other divers there. 

Dive 1:
Divers: Mark, Nigel
Max Depth: 16.5 metres
Dive Time: 7 minutes
Water Temperature: 6 Degrees C
Viz: 2-3 Metres
Dive Details: The plan was for Mark to demonstrate Dive Leading. Stride entry from training platform and descended to the platform at around 5 meters for checks before setting off towards the bus. We passed around the rear of the bus and along the left side before picking up the line to the lorry. We gradually followed the line in close proximity but as we approached the lorry cab, 6 minutes into the dive, Nigel’s regulator started to free-flow. Nigel was unable to resolve the issue due to the cold and reduced visibility so Mark performed a controlled buoyant lift to the surface.

Dive 2
Divers: Simon, Ed
Max Depth: 18.6 metres
Dive Time: 21 minutes
Water Temperature: 5 Degrees C
Viz: 4 Metres
Dive Details: Ed was completing his 5th Ocean Diver open water lesson and had to plan and lead the dive. We entered the water at the training area, slowly descending down to the 6-metre platform. Passing the double-decker bus we came to the lorry and saw several perch inside the cab. Ed then led us to the jet provost. After looking around the jet Ed led us safely back to the exit point via the lorry and bus and did a weight belt jettison in standing depth as the final part of his lesson.

Dive 3
Divers: Mark, Nigel
Max Depth: 16.6 metres
Dive Time: 12 minutes
Water Temperature: 6 Degrees C
Viz: 2-3 Metres
Dive Details: Following the earlier free-flow, Nigel believed he had identified the cause of the issue (regulator adjustment) and wanted to try again on a dive to the front of the bus. This would give us a similar depth to that of the first dive where the problem started although we would be closer to the shore should the issue reoccur. From the training platform, we gradually descended towards the bus performing regular checks. Once at the front of the bus, we descended to the max depth of the dive. No issues this time so we gradually made our way back to the training platform for some surface time and preparation for the next training dive.

Dive 4
Divers: Simon, Ed
Max Depth: 19.1 metres
Dive Time: 24 minutes
Water Temperature: 4 Degrees C
Viz: 4 Metres
Dive Details: We entered the water with giant stride from the high platform. Then did a surface swim to the far side of the quarry to one of the buoys that we hoped that marked the position of the coach. We descended the shot line and luckily there was a coach tied to the other end. We swam around the outside of the coach and then followed a line to the yacht in the far corner where we saw a lot of small perch inside. We then followed a line that seemed to go on forever all the way back to the 6 metre platform, gradually made our accent and got out.

Dive 5
Divers: Mark, Nigel
Max Depth: 18.6 metres
Dive Time: 14 minutes
Water Temperature: 5 Degrees C
Viz: 2 Metres
Dive Details: For this dive Nigel would lead and the safety brief emphasised that a diver can still breath from a free-flowing regulator should there be any further issues. The plan was to repeat what we set out to do on the first dive. Again it was a stride entry from the training platform and gradually descended towards the bus, performing regular checks along the way. We picked up the line and headed towards the lorry. Nigel’s regulator again started to free flow but this time the reaction was more composed. We immediately turned around and gradually ascended towards the bus and up toward the training platform. A regulator service is required so no more diving for today, however, some valuable lessons have been learnt in regards to breathing from a free-flowing regulator.
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