Refresher Diver
Jim, Kevin, Stacey - thanks for the Good Luck (hope I did not leave anyone out).
The waves had calmed down since the storm passed (not really, but that is what the weather man said).
We had to arise at 5:30 to make it to the docks on time and it was a beautiful morning. The seas looked calm (ish).
Our instructor met us and there were 5 other divers, plus the boat captain and crew. It was a great bunch. The equipment overview was very informative.....things have changed since I dove before. Thanks for the tip Kevin, I had purcahsed the updated YMCA scuba book and read up before, inlcluding the 2 hour wait at the vet.
While there are no dive tables anymore, the BC compensation is a bit of an art. I had described Sam as an XL, but the instructor said he is a large but the XL BC fit. He can't tell what size I am (see above post). Good luck renting he says.... Next we are weighted up....that too is new, as there is no more weight belt. Yippee....
Standard equipment check, buddy check and then weight to get to dive site where Captain reads the standard list of emergency equipment, first run movie, oxegyn mask briefings.
We went last off, of course, and (true confessions) I was a tad more than a bit nervous when I hit the water.....I was thinking pool, pool, pool.....The instructor walked (swam) me though the descent, the ears kept plugging but I was able to clear, but once I was down, it was wonderful.
Visability was low, I thought they said 30 feet - we were off Palm Beach (help -teardrop?), but for someone who has not popped her head below water, it was Wonderful, the fish were brilliant (I have tried to find a good site for pictures, but can't, so if you have a good identification site, let me know). This reef was nostly flat and there was a good current. I tried to follow each fish I saw, much to the dismay of the instructor. I kept having to catch up, until I caught on and drifted with the tide...but then there were more fish and little crevices and coral and - what is that noise, oh yes, I am off course again. Much of the time was spent with checking the computer, good, as they were new to us, and getting the feel again of the gear. There were sea turtles in the water, the other group saw them, we were not so lucky. We did have schools of angel fish and one large grouper. I liked the tiny zebra fish that darted in the coral.
Then it was time to ascend....(way to soon considering the consternation of my descent). This was strange and new - looking at the computer to mark your ascent and then trying to stay in one place for 3 minutes. I have much to learn about the BC.
After the ascent it was mask clearing drills. Didn't do too well, partially because I had no clue what the instructor was trying to get me to do. I have a purge and he was clearing the old way.....oh well, the boat picked us up and then came the swells.........
I get motion sick.....(why am I diving).......
The rest of the group had boarded before us, even the guy diving Nitrox...I thought we would be the first up, having used up our air quicker and of course, we had to surface at 1000 not 750 (boat rules).
We went to the Breakers 5th window for the second dive - We had a dolphin escort - how cool!.
I really, really do not like swells......The isntructor kep thinking I was too hot but it was my stomach, not the heat of the wet suit, (Thanks for the tip Jim, I would have been way too cold otherwise....thank you thank you thank you).
The descent was much easier and this reef was a ledge. We were with the main group most of the time. Among the fish I know the name of that we saw was a puffer, I love puffers, and a pencil fish and a cool squirrel fish (I think) and great purple coral and lobster. One of the divers was a fish collector and he brought back some neat specimens, inlcuding a starfish that loked like a tangled up mass of rubber bands.....
Then it was time to go up (why - I still had air left....????) Oh, yes, my buddy, forgot about him...got admonished that Sam and I depended on instructor too much and need to check each other out....too many fish to see....too new......
this time we followed the line up, I got turned sideways with the swells, and my tummy did not enjoy the wait at 15 feet.....liked it even less when I boarded, still not the first ones up - hum----
I discovered how to make sure people keep a safe distance from you when you are on board....the rest of the group surfaced and it was time to wave goodbye to the dolphin and return to the dock.....
Had a lesson in breaking down equipment and other hints on using rental equipment. The instructor took lots of time to explain things...Before our first dive, I had the tank with the leaky O ring, and it was not even a set up for me to find the hissing air...
I thought I was terrible and he would be glad never to see us again, but apparently we checked out and he will be giving us a second lesson at the end of the month...I need another lesson....this time without swells.
Of course, I toppled into bed and have just woken up......There is a refrigerator full of Smithwick's in bottles, first ones in our area, but tummy is none to sure.
Thanks for letting me rattle on......and 'scuse typos...
Got an e-mail from my dad - my mom's lymphnode surgery for Breast Cancer was a sucess today - CLEAN and CLEAR was the report!
I don't think you can get Huevos in Florida. And THAT will be my down fall when moving there!! NO GREEN CHILI!!! 
