How did you get the name of Deep Diver?

Steve (ex SurD02 and He02 diver)

SteveB wrote:
How did you get the name of Deep Diver?

Steve (ex SurD02 and He02 diver)


Maybe a name a girlfriend gave him? ;-)

John

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:2j4ge.24733$fI.11025@fed1read05...
How did you get the name of Deep Diver?

Steve (ex SurD02 and He02 diver)

Hi SteveB,

Unfortunately, I have not yet "dived" into the realm of Trimix, HeO2,
Surface Decompression On Oxygen, or other exotic breathing gases or
decompression techniques. Although I'd like to learn some of those skills
one day.

I got the nickname from an instructor when I was getting my Divemaster
certification many years ago (I've since earned my Instructor rating). He
wanted to teach me the effects of nitrogen narcosis, but could never observe
any symptoms in me, even past the "recreational limit".

Of course, JohnM's reasoning holds some merit too... :P

- Michael

"DeepDiver" wrote in message
...
"SteveB" wrote in message
news:2j4ge.24733$fI.11025@fed1read05...
How did you get the name of Deep Diver?

Steve (ex SurD02 and He02 diver)

Hi SteveB,

Unfortunately, I have not yet "dived" into the realm of Trimix, HeO2,
Surface Decompression On Oxygen, or other exotic breathing gases or
decompression techniques. Although I'd like to learn some of those skills
one day.

I got the nickname from an instructor when I was getting my Divemaster
certification many years ago (I've since earned my Instructor rating). He
wanted to teach me the effects of nitrogen narcosis, but could never
observe
any symptoms in me, even past the "recreational limit".

Of course, JohnM's reasoning holds some merit too... :P

- Michael


I had high adventure from 1974 to 1980 in the Gulf of Mexico. Mixed gas,
surface decompression in a chamber, underwater welding and cutting, setting
explosives, building things, pipelining, and all sorts of things.

I started diving in 1969. Since I quit in 1980, I haven't had a scuba tank
on since. I would like to do some shallow water diving, maybe in Central
America this summer. You do so much, that it gets to be like work. Cold
water. Bad weather. Danger.

It was a real adventure, and I am glad I followed my heart and did it. All
diving is a kick, no matter the depth.

Once you got your head underwater, it's all the same, anyway. And diving
where you can see is a pure D joy. A lot of ours was in muddy water with
the feel technique.

As per nitrogen narcosis, it hits everyone different. Just like booze or
drugs. The trick is to know when it has hit you, and to recognize when it's
coming on. Some people can still stay focused though impaired. To learn
our limits on CO2 buildup, we had to ride a stationary bicycle at the bottom
of a pool of water until we passed out. That was fun. To learn our
narcosis level, we just had to go into a chamber.

Take care.

Steve

"SteveB" wrote in message
news:mrege.29004$fI.14521@fed1read05...

"DeepDiver" wrote in message
...
"SteveB" wrote in message
news:2j4ge.24733$fI.11025@fed1read05...

I got the nickname from an instructor when I was getting my Divemaster
certification many years ago (I've since earned my Instructor rating). He
wanted to teach me the effects of nitrogen narcosis, but could never
observe any symptoms in me, even past the "recreational limit".

I started diving in 1969. Since I quit in 1980, I haven't had a scuba
tank on since. I would like to do some shallow water diving, maybe in
Central America this summer. You do so much, that it gets to be like
work. Cold water. Bad weather. Danger.

I can see how the difficult work aspect of commercial diving can take some
of the joy out of being underwater. Did you ever do much recreational
diving?

I hope you get back into the sport of it. Particularly in a plaec where the
water is clear and warm and filled with amazing things to see.


It was a real adventure, and I am glad I followed my heart and did it.
All diving is a kick, no matter the depth.

True. We all have to work for a living. Might as well do something
adventurous, right? Something about only living once...


As per nitrogen narcosis, it hits everyone different. Just like booze or
drugs. The trick is to know when it has hit you, and to recognize when
it's coming on.

Yes, I know. And it even hits the same person differently on different days
or under different conditions. I didn't intend to sound flipant about my
experiences below that magic depth of 130', it's just that on those dives
with that instructor where we happened to go deep, I didn't narc out. Of
course, that's not to say that if I were to go deep the next time I dive,
that I would still be resistant to the effects. One should never become
complacent.


Some people can still stay focused though impaired. To learn our limits
on CO2 buildup, we had to ride a stationary bicycle at
the bottom of a pool of water until we passed out. That was fun.
To learn our narcosis level, we just had to go into a chamber.

Sounds like some of the fun aeromedical testing and training I did when in
the Navy.


Take care.

You too. If you go diving this summer, have a safe and fun time!

Regards,
Michael

DeepDiver wrote:

[Commercial diving] was a real adventure, and I am glad I
followed my heart and did it. All diving is a kick, no matter the depth.

True. We all have to work for a living. Might as well do something
adventurous, right? Something about only living once...

I know a guy who's a commercial diver & welder. He's been at it for
ten or fifteen years, and he's good at it: he's one of about a dozen
people on the planet certified to weld the pressure hulls of nuclear
subs while they're still in the briny.

He's the Manly Man type, but he says the work is just plain Godawful
hard (plus there are lots of ways to die while doing it). To him,
diving is about as exciting as laying bricks. But he's very, very
well paid, works when he feels like it and doesn't when he doesn't.
He has lived and worked all over the world -- name the place, he's
had a job there. He knows the nightlife, the daylife, and the
wildlife of places I can't even pronounce. Speaks enough fragments
of enough languages to get around most any seaport in the world. Has
lots of stories to tell, and if they're mostly lies, who cares? Now
he's in his mid-thirties, lives on his very large property in the
Philippines, works a couple of months each year, and owns a few
businesses. Nice.

Me? Thank you, no. I really like my unexceptional life.

Pete

--
Artful Bodger
http://www.artfulbodger.net

"DeepDiver" wrote
..

I can see how the difficult work aspect of commercial diving can take some
of the joy out of being underwater. Did you ever do much recreational
diving?

I hope you get back into the sport of it. Particularly in a plaec where
the water is clear and warm and filled with amazing things to see.


You too. If you go diving this summer, have a safe and fun time!

Regards,
Michael


Thanks. I had ten years of heart problems ending with a five way bypass and
aortic valve replacement June 20, 2002. If I go diving, it will be on a
limited basis in protected water where I can just putz around and look at
things in shallow water. I get the urge now and again, just haven't done
it. Might even rent one of those minisub things.

Steve

"artfulbodger" wrote in message

I know a guy who's a commercial diver & welder. He's been at it for
ten or fifteen years, and he's good at it: he's one of about a dozen
people on the planet certified to weld the pressure hulls of nuclear
subs while they're still in the briny.

That's an amazing assertion. A "wet" weld can only have 80% strength and
50% ductility becaues of the quenching action of the water. There are only
a couple of rods that will work underwater. How is it that a weak brittle
weld would be allowed in a pressure hull weld? I don't believe I've ever
heard of that cert.

He's the Manly Man type, but he says the work is just plain Godawful
hard (plus there are lots of ways to die while doing it). To him,
diving is about as exciting as laying bricks.

It is just the elevator that takes you to work. You have to know what to do
when you get there. It is far easier to teach a welder how to dive than a
diver how to weld. You can teach a monkey how to dive. Diving is a blast
when you can see. It's just that most of the time, you can't see anything.
How does one weld when they can't see the weld?

But he's very, very
well paid, works when he feels like it and doesn't when he doesn't.

That's odd. When I worked, if you "didn't feel like working" when a company
called you, they just didn't call you again. 80% of life is showing up, and
when you won't show up, they will use a more reliable if less able worker.
"Not feeling like it" was not a valid reason. There were no valid reasons
unless you were injured. And you stayed until the job was done, even if
that was six months working 12 hours a day.

Burnout is high. Most divers don't last five years due to burnout or
injury(ies). Your friend, at fifteen years is either very lucky, or very
talented, or very burned.

Repetitive decompression wreaks havoc on the body tissues. Please refer to
dysbaric avascular necrosis in google. You just can't do it for long
periods of time. Well, you can, but some people just have a higher pain
threshold. It damages you for the rest of your life.

I have a friend that lives in ******** City, Kansas, named Tony. He retired
after about five years with Taylor/Brown and Root and 900' of water in the
North Sea. He went back home and bought most of his little home town. Most
divers are a pirate mentality, and end up with little or nothing. If you
read this, Tony, the welder, get back to me.

Steve, Ocean Corporation Class of Nov. 1974
Gulf of Mexico, 1974-1980

HOLY CRAP. THAT'S 31 YEARS AGO!

--
Artful Bodger
http://www.artfulbodger.net

SteveB wrote:

I don't believe I've ever heard of that cert.

Shrug. I don't know enough about subs to give specifics. Here's
what I do know: this guy was the thirteenth person ever certified to
do whateverthehell he does on nuclear subs. So far, there hasn't
been a fourteenth. So says his teacher (who trained a couple of AWS
Open Weld Trials gold medalists, and a few top-three finishers in the
World Skills Competition, so I believe him).

It is far easier to teach a welder how to dive than a diver how to weld.

Yes. As a new diver, this guy had an edge over his fellow newbies
because he could weld. That got him a lot of work right off the
bat.

But he's very, very
well paid, works when he feels like it and doesn't when he doesn't.

That's odd. When I worked, if you "didn't feel like working" when a company
called you, they just didn't call you again.

For the first few years, sure. At the start, this guy never, ever
turned anything down. But it's like any other trade: you get
established. If you're good, and you have a rep, and you have skills
the other guys don't, you can take the work you want. No need to
take every junk job that comes along. Why would a cabinet maker
refloor a chicken coop? Why would an ace deep-sea welder inspect
water towers in Hoboken?

Burnout is high. Most divers don't last five years due to burnout or
injury(ies). Your friend, at fifteen years is either very lucky, or very
talented, or very burned.

Whatever. Maybe he wasn't burned out because he hadn't taken every
sh!t job tossed his way. When I knew him, he was back at the school,
doing additional work in some crazy kind of heavy plate welding.
Then it was off to the Pacific Rim for some project or other.

Sorry, Steve, if this guy's career sticks in your craw.

--
Artful Bodger
http://www.artfulbodger.net

SteveB wrote:
"DeepDiver" wrote
.

I can see how the difficult work aspect of commercial diving can
take some of the joy out of being underwater. Did you ever do much
recreational diving?

I hope you get back into the sport of it. Particularly in a plaec
where the water is clear and warm and filled with amazing things to
see. You too. If you go diving this summer, have a safe and fun time!

Regards,
Michael


Thanks. I had ten years of heart problems ending with a five way
bypass and aortic valve replacement June 20, 2002. If I go diving,
it will be on a limited basis in protected water where I can just
putz around and look at things in shallow water. I get the urge now
and again, just haven't done it. Might even rent one of those
minisub things.
Steve

I wouldn't do that Steve.
Even 'putzing' around entails lots of stress on the old bod.
I have seen folks washed out of diving for lots less problems than you have.
I would suggest just snorkling but I know (from bitter experience) that once
you have tasted the freedom and the rush from that tank on your back you can
never settle for that.
Ken (certified since 1974)

"artfulbodger" wrote in message
...
SteveB wrote:

I don't believe I've ever heard of that cert.

Shrug. I don't know enough about subs to give specifics. Here's
what I do know: this guy was the thirteenth person ever certified to
do whateverthehell he does on nuclear subs. So far, there hasn't
been a fourteenth. So says his teacher (who trained a couple of AWS
Open Weld Trials gold medalists, and a few top-three finishers in the
World Skills Competition, so I believe him).

It is far easier to teach a welder how to dive than a diver how to weld.

Yes. As a new diver, this guy had an edge over his fellow newbies
because he could weld. That got him a lot of work right off the
bat.

But he's very, very
well paid, works when he feels like it and doesn't when he doesn't.

That's odd. When I worked, if you "didn't feel like working" when a
company
called you, they just didn't call you again.

For the first few years, sure. At the start, this guy never, ever
turned anything down. But it's like any other trade: you get
established. If you're good, and you have a rep, and you have skills
the other guys don't, you can take the work you want. No need to
take every junk job that comes along. Why would a cabinet maker
refloor a chicken coop? Why would an ace deep-sea welder inspect
water towers in Hoboken?

Burnout is high. Most divers don't last five years due to burnout or
injury(ies). Your friend, at fifteen years is either very lucky, or very
talented, or very burned.

Whatever. Maybe he wasn't burned out because he hadn't taken every
sh!t job tossed his way. When I knew him, he was back at the school,
doing additional work in some crazy kind of heavy plate welding.
Then it was off to the Pacific Rim for some project or other.

Sorry, Steve, if this guy's career sticks in your craw.

--
Artful Bodger


I'm sorry, where did I say that? I just mentioned some things relative to
what you said he said about his work that were contradictory to my own
experience in the same field.

If your friend actually exists, I salute him. I know what a Spartan life it
is, and what living high adventure 24/7 is like. His career does not stick
in my craw. A few of your inaccurate statements do, but that is just your
perception from what he has told you, and that, by your own admission, is
something that you don't understand a lot about anyway. Please refer to
YOUR words:

I don't know enough about subs to give specifics.
do whateverthehell he does on nuclear subs.
doing additional work in some crazy kind of heavy plate welding.
Then it was off to the Pacific Rim for some project or other.

Personally, I like to speak directly to people's faces, and hear things
directly from their mouths. This thing of "I have a friend who......" is a
bit on the fictional side, and gives no opportunity for clarification.

I still stand on my statements on "underwater welding." A choice of fixing
things that is so poor technically that it is rarely used. If you know
anything about welding, you know that seawater is not conducive to any
welding. Now, if you are habitat welding, or SPAR welding using an argon
flooded containment environment, that's different. But, then, you didn't
get specific about such things, because you said you didn't understand such
things.

There is much mention of "underwater welding" during conversations. But
there is very little mention of how little is done, or how ineffective the
process really is. Most engineers won't even consider it. Almost
everything that really needs to be critically welded is welded before being
sent down, or raised to the surface, welded, and reinstalled. I believe
that if a nuclear sub were to have a hull problem, it would be drydocked,
repaired, and all other welds tested to see if there were more bad welds.

Most references to "underwater welding" are from people who see underwater
cutting, which is done with a hollow electrode and pure oxygen. To the
layman, it looks like welding.

You did not mention how inspection is performed for such welds. Almost all
NDT would be impossible because of the water.

It is amazing to me listen to discussions about welding or diving. I avoid
joining in when I hear it in conversation. Most people who know the most
about the subjects are quiet until they establish the experience levels of
the conversants. Everyone you meet seems to know all about welding or
diving. Or have a "friend" who does, and who has told them everything in
the world about it. So, many people, myself included, stay silent rather
then enter a discussion with unqualified inexperienced people. It is far
more amusing to listen to urban legends, outrageous claims, third hand
adventure stories, and outright false statements than it is to correct
everyone with truthful information.

So, carry on.

Steve, Ex-hard hat, AWS certified welder, Offshore Petroleum Institute
Certified Crane Operator, Offshore Petroleum Institute Certified Rigger,
Certified 10,000# fork lift operator

"Ken Davey" wrote in message
...
SteveB wrote:
"DeepDiver" wrote
.

I can see how the difficult work aspect of commercial diving can
take some of the joy out of being underwater. Did you ever do much
recreational diving?

I hope you get back into the sport of it. Particularly in a plaec
where the water is clear and warm and filled with amazing things to
see. You too. If you go diving this summer, have a safe and fun time!

Regards,
Michael


Thanks. I had ten years of heart problems ending with a five way
bypass and aortic valve replacement June 20, 2002. If I go diving,
it will be on a limited basis in protected water where I can just
putz around and look at things in shallow water. I get the urge now
and again, just haven't done it. Might even rent one of those
minisub things.
Steve

I wouldn't do that Steve.
Even 'putzing' around entails lots of stress on the old bod.
I have seen folks washed out of diving for lots less problems than you
have.
I would suggest just snorkling but I know (from bitter experience) that
once you have tasted the freedom and the rush from that tank on your back
you can never settle for that.
Ken (certified since 1974)



Yeah, as I say, if I do any diving, it will be shallow water look around
stuff. Besides, the best lighting and visibility is in shallow water, as
well as plants and animals to view. Shoot, snorkeling in shallow water
where there is a lot of stuff is a kick.

Ahhhhhhh. The rush of having a tank on your back. As a child, I had two
recurring dreams. One was that I could fly, and the other was that I could
breathe underwater. When I took my first breath on a regulator, it was just
like that dream. Hesitancy to inhale, waiting for the rush of water,
inhaling, and then there air and no water. Then the rush of "HEY!, this is
cool." From then on, I was bitten. Of all my years of diving, and all my
experiences, that one moment is the one I remember the most.

Steve

SteveB wrote:
"Ken Davey" wrote in message
...
SteveB wrote:
"DeepDiver" wrote
.

I can see how the difficult work aspect of commercial diving can
take some of the joy out of being underwater. Did you ever do much
recreational diving?

I hope you get back into the sport of it. Particularly in a plaec
where the water is clear and warm and filled with amazing things to
see. You too. If you go diving this summer, have a safe and fun
time! Regards,
Michael


Thanks. I had ten years of heart problems ending with a five way
bypass and aortic valve replacement June 20, 2002. If I go diving,
it will be on a limited basis in protected water where I can just
putz around and look at things in shallow water. I get the urge now
and again, just haven't done it. Might even rent one of those
minisub things.
Steve

I wouldn't do that Steve.
Even 'putzing' around entails lots of stress on the old bod.
I have seen folks washed out of diving for lots less problems than
you have.
I would suggest just snorkling but I know (from bitter experience)
that once you have tasted the freedom and the rush from that tank on
your back you can never settle for that.
Ken (certified since 1974)



Yeah, as I say, if I do any diving, it will be shallow water look
around stuff. Besides, the best lighting and visibility is in
shallow water, as well as plants and animals to view. Shoot,
snorkeling in shallow water where there is a lot of stuff is a kick.

Ahhhhhhh. The rush of having a tank on your back. As a child, I had
two recurring dreams. One was that I could fly, and the other was
that I could breathe underwater. When I took my first breath on a
regulator, it was just like that dream. Hesitancy to inhale, waiting
for the rush of water, inhaling, and then there air and no water. Then the
rush of "HEY!, this is cool." From then on, I was bitten. Of all my years
of diving, and all my experiences, that one moment is
the one I remember the most.
Steve

The dual dreams - flying and breathing underwater are *both* realized with
SCUBA!
Ya know.........

Ken.

Oh well now, this is fun. You're eager to start a dicksize war and
I'm paralyzed by not caring very much.

The guy wasn't invited to address my welding class because he drove a
forklift, but because he was a very successful welder and diver. You
may want to know about the inspection procedures on nulear subs, but
I don't. I don't care what kind of rod they use welding submarine
oil pipelines, or bridges, or tanks, or tunnels, or the fillings in
whales' teeth. Not interested.

If you want to learn how such stuff is done, sorry, dude, you'll have
to ask someone else. Maybe read a nice book.

But you might want to make less noise about it. You sound like a
framer who doesn't believe cabinetmakers exist.

--
Artful Bodger
http://www.artfulbodger.net

"artfulbodger" wrote in message
...
Oh well now, this is fun. You're eager to start a dicksize war and
I'm paralyzed by not caring very much.

The guy wasn't invited to address my welding class because he drove a
forklift, but because he was a very successful welder and diver. You
may want to know about the inspection procedures on nulear subs, but
I don't. I don't care what kind of rod they use welding submarine
oil pipelines, or bridges, or tanks, or tunnels, or the fillings in
whales' teeth. Not interested.

If you want to learn how such stuff is done, sorry, dude, you'll have
to ask someone else. Maybe read a nice book.

But you might want to make less noise about it. You sound like a
framer who doesn't believe cabinetmakers exist.

--
Artful Bodger
http://www.artfulbodger.net

Whatever. We can always go back to stories about "your friend."

I prefer only to talk about what I have actually done.

Steve

I prefer only to talk about what I have actually done.

Good idea, Steve, give that a try. It's probably your best bet.

--
Artful Bodger
http://www.artfulbodger.net

"artfulbodger" wrote in message
...

I prefer only to talk about what I have actually done.

Good idea, Steve, give that a try. It's probably your best bet.

--
Artful Bodger


Yes, versus what my imaginary friend has done.

Steve