Virginia Beach Technical Divers' Group (VBTech)

Last Updates November 30, 2008

Welcome to Virginia Beach Technical Divers' Web Site!

The Virginia Beach (VB) Technical Divers' Group uses the Virginia Beach Technical e-mail list-server for all general communicates between divers (Recreational  & Technical) interested in the various activities. If you have any trouble registering, e-mail
Info@VBTech.Org for assistance.
Subscribe: http://www.vbtech.org/mailman/listinfo/vbtechlist_vbtech.org

Comments: Drew Luellen or Bill Ripley

Mission Statement:
 “Promoting the development and education of recreational and technical divers in safe diving methods and techniques while exploring the underwater realm from shallow to great depths.”

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    - Log 2008

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*** New Information in "Reference" area! ***

Monthly meetings:
   WHO: Open to anyone who wishes to join, regardless of level of training
   WHAT: The organization of a fresh, new technical diving group
   WHEN: Social Hour 6 - 7 PM, Meeting 7 – until PM., 2nd Thursday each Month
   WHERE: Doubletree Hotel Norfolk, 8800 North Military Highway, Norfolk, VA
   WHY: To encourage and organize technical diving in the mid-Atlantic region

Special Events:

Hello VBTech members.

A few of us sat down the other evening and discussed the 2009 VBTech schedule, and we came up with topics for the next 4 meetings (Nov-Feb) and discussed VBTech dives for the coming year. We also decided to move the meeting place to a restaurant this year, much like the Richmond Dive Club, where we can order drinks and food before and during the meeting. The meetings will still be held on the 2nd Thursday of the month @ 7pm with a social hour from 6 to 7. We felt that the more relaxed environment of a restaurant would be a welcomed change with a more centralized location for those of us who don’t live at the beach.

The typical meeting will cover two topics. One that is more advanced and will appeal to a more experienced tech diver and one that is ‘lighter’, for the aspiring tech diver. We recognize that with the growing number of rebreather divers in the area that VBTech needs to cater to OC and CC diving.

Meetings will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Norfolk located at 880 North Military Highway.

November meeting topics will be:

Managing an unconscious OC or CC diver underwater. Making your own gear line (its been covered before but it was a requested topic).

December topics:

DCS – Getting bent is no fun by Jeff Hewlett and …..

Attaching gear to snaps and D-rings (or how not to get key holed and die) 

January topics:

Penetration diving – What you need to know and what a cave or advanced wreck diving certification won't/will teach you.

Communicating with your buddy underwater.

February topics:

Rebreather types pros and cons. Cover the advantages of Manual vs. Electronic CCRs, over the shoulder vs. back mounted counter lungs, sofnolime vs. cartridges.

Decompression, stage and bailout bottles for OC and CC.

Dive Trips

Several trips were discussed. VBTech dives will have a trip leader assigned. The only way to get on the dive will be to contact the trip leader and space will be limited to 10 or less. Dives run through LDC will be considered charters so you will sign up and pay through this trip leader. At the moment we have two trips on the docket.

January-February. Ft Lauderdale. There is some great diving just minutes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale. The Hydro Atlantic is a fantastic dive in 175 FSW with plenty of relief for divers without TRIMIX certification. There will be an opportunity on this trip to log actual TRIMIX dives for those of you who want to continue your training

Mid-June. The 24-hour trip. Leave VB on a Friday night aboard the Miss Lindsey. Dive the 4A or the 1800 line for a night dive. Wake up the next morning (early) and dive the York or the Benson. Pull the hook and head to the Papoose (San Delfino) for one dive. Pull the hook and head back towards VA Beach….stopping at the Mexicano for one more dive. Four dives on four different wrecks.

 

It's a new season with a new emphasis on serious technical diving.  I hope you will plan on attending for the content of the meetings plus the fun we tech divers will have getting to better know each other and diving as a group.

 

 

For additional information e-mail:
   Post to VBTechList: VBTechList@VBTech.Org
   Subscribe to VBTechList: mail.vbtech.org/mailman/listinfo/VBTechList_vbtech.Org
   Meetings or Upcoming Dives: Info@VBTech.Org

Copyright 2002, 2003,2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 © David B. Widen of  TWC