www.emeraldseadiveclub.org

Collecting Critters

Poker Dive Report

Quadra Island Dive

Rescue Class

Seacrest Dive Site Report

Skyline/Burrows Passage and Keystone Jetty Dive Report

Upcoming Fun Dives

2004 Board Officers

Dive & Event Calendar

Divers on the Loose

How to Contact Us

Our Next Meeting

President’s Column

Submission Deadlines

Wendy Drucker

Hello divers!

As most of you know, I have been appointed president of the Emerald Sea Dive Club for the remainder of 2004. Guy Balbirona, our elected president for this year, resigned in order to take care of a family emergency in Hawaii. I will try to do my best for the club in his place, and I hope his sorrow will resolve into peace and we will enjoy his camaraderie again soon.

Belonging to the ESDC means different things to different people. Some like to get involved with planning and volunteering. Others like the social aspects. Perhaps you joined to meet new dive buddies. Some people like to attend the club dives but not the meetings. Others are not presently interested in either club dives or meetings, but like to maintain their membership to receive the newsletter and stay in touch. I think all these reasons for being an Emerald Sea Diver are great. Whether you have been a member for one month or ten years, this is your club.

The Emerald Sea Dive Club is whatever you want it to be. I want to hear your ideas, reasonable suggestions, unreasonable suggestions, complaints, and requests for dives. My phone number is 206-632-3874 and my e-mail is astromoi@earthlink.net. I am friendly and do not bite, except when appropriate.

I would like to issue a challenge to all ESDC members: This summer, July and August, ask a member you have never dived with before to go for a dive. We have lots of new members. The best part of belonging to our club is getting to know each other, diving together, enjoying the friendships, and learning from each other. Dive safe!

Rich Carton

It was a good day for diving and a little game called seven-card stud. The players came ready for the challenge, some were returning champions and others were first time challengers with a fresh perspective of the game. With poker faces on and their alternate air in the zone they were ready to get down to business. Early stages of the game were fairly simple, with the elimination of the bottom two thirds of players. Toward the end the pressure was on, but experience beat out youth and ambition in a near upset finish. However, at the end of the day everyone came out a winner.

Nothing was left to chance; this tournament was a long time in the planning and conditions were good. Visibility was about 35’ and the sun was shining on all those present. The crowd was thick, but all the players managed to find a quiet spot to park and prepare themselves for the pressure that was soon to come. After a brief explanation of the rules and current conditions everyone returned to their cars to gear up and schlep gear down to the beach. After checking in at the beach the teams were off to collect the best seven-card hand they could. Most teams made it to all seven checkpoints and were dealt cards, while others felt confident with less. Everyone held out as long as they could, but finally had to return to the surface. It is amazing to see the depth these players will go to come out on top.

Everyone held their breath as they awaited the judge’s ruling. Burgers and brats helped calm the masses until the winners were announced. In the end, it was a returning champion, Larry Collson, who won with a full house and to everyone’s surprise left the top prize on the table. Hot on his heels was a new challenger, Sarah Fowler, playing it cool in her wetsuit. Bluffing her way to second with a short hand and queen high she quickly snapped up the pony bottle. Next were Clint with a flush and Buck with a straight. The rest of the players did well and walked away with nice parting gifts and full bellies.

Ok, I know it is a little over the top with the metaphors, symbolism and things like that, but it is all true. I had a great time hosting this event and would like to thank everyone who helped put this together: the volunteers, local dive shops, and everyone that came out to dive. I could not have done this without you.

Thank you: Bubbles Below, Lighthouse, Northwest Sports Divers, Starfish, and Underwater Sports. Greg and Laura Becvar, Bruce Bury, Loretta Carton, Jerry Dollar, Wendy Drucker, Paul Mayfield, Willow Mukherjee, Laura Orlich, David Ripley, Sharon Smith, and Skip Stacy.

Darlene Ripley

Laura Orlich had to cancel her boat dive scheduled for July19, but as a replacement there is a different dive scheduled with Deep Sea Charters out of Anacortes on July 3.  There are no departure time details yet but it is $65.00 for a two tank dive.  The price will increase to $69.00 after July 1, so book now and buy her a latte with the $4.00 you save! Please call her at home if you are interested in going with her group! 425-640-5840!

Congratulations to Skip Stacy for being ESDC’s FIRST $50.00 reward winner. I wonder . . . will he purchase dive equipment or FOOD with this money? Diving, eating, diving, eating????

Congratulations and Thank You to Wendy Drucker for becoming our interim president. Wendy graciously stepped forward to fill-in for Guy. Her first meeting will be July 7.

Join Phil Morgan July 9, 10, and 11 for a dive weekend at Salt Creek Park.  We will camp at the park. Diving is also available at Ediz Hook and Lake Crescent. For more information:  http://65.117.225.3/saltcreek/index.htm. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.  I need some idea of how much space to reserve at the park. ** details have changed, please phone Phil if you plan on going

Remember the pier clean-up? Lures? Fishermen? Fun? Fran Murray sold lures at her garage sale in order to raise money for the Christmas party. She earned almost $100.00. Good job, Fran!

Fran Murray is looking for volunteers for the Christmas committee. So far, Elena DiPardo and Laura Orlich have stepped forward. This is YOUR Christmas party too; please volunteer some time to make it special. Thank you.

Laura Orlich has secured the Milltown Sailing Association hall for our Christmas party; however, in order to receive this FREE Laura is looking for six to eight brave souls to fling themselves into the sound only to be rescued by the Milltown Sailing Association Life Sling Practice class. This sacrifice will be rewarded to the entire club in December when the sailing association has agreed to lend us their hall. You will also receive a free sail boat ride. Please volunteer your time for this event. NO tanks, BC, or weights required only your cool water exposure suite, hood, and gloves! The specific time, September 18, will be announced later.

Bruce Bury invites everyone to meet him at Edmonds Oil Dock, Saturday, July 10, for two dives followed by a third dive at EUWP. Meet at EOD at 7:15 a.m. for briefing with splash at 7:50 a.m. Second dive will be at 11:30 a.m. Splash at EUWP is 1:45 p.m.

Please bring lights, camera, your lunch, yourself, and a joke to share with all. Bruce is looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Elena DiPardo

It is that time where we have to put deposits down for our trip to Quadra Island. I now (finally) have the details I can share with you. We will be traveling and arriving at Abyssal Lodge on Thursday, September 16. We will stay for three nights and depart after lunch on Sunday, September 19. The following is included in the package: lodging for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday; and six boat dives at some of the nicest dive sites in British Columbia including wrecks and walls.

There is also a hot tub for your pleasure and a large screen TV with VCR. This dive weekend will be limited to 12 divers. This is one of the best weekends of the summer as far as currents are concerned.

The price of the trip is $135.00/CND per day (approx. $110.00/US) + GST. A credit card will be required to confirm all individual dive packages at the Abyssal Dive Lodge. You are responsible for confirming your own dive package with them directly. Please contact them with your information and confirm with them at that time what their cancellation policy is as they do have one. Their numbers are: Abyssal Dive Charters and Lodge, Phone: 250-285-2420 Fax: 250-285-2427 Pager: 250-830-1237
Toll Free: 1-800-499-2297 info@abyssal.com

I really hope we can get a group from ESDC interested in doing this dive weekend as I was asked to host this again this year. We have always had a great time and the diving is fantastic. If you have any questions I have not answered here, please feel free to e-mail me at edipardo@u.washington.edu or call at 425-334-1640.

Would you like to wear tights and a cape with a big red S on your chest?

If you answered yes to any of the first three questions then you should consider taking a rescue course. If you answered yes to the last question, you have issues that may not be appropriate for a family publication.

On October 16 and 17, Emerald Sea Dive Club members will have the opportunity to become rescue divers. This may be the hardest scuba course you will ever take. Most rescue divers also consider the course to be the most fun, most challenging and most valuable course they have taken.

During this course you will find your limits. You may also be surprised at just how much you can do. Divers often delay taking the Rescue course because they believe that they are not yet ready, or they think that they are not good enough or strong enough or experienced enough to complete the course. However, if you meet the prerequisites and have the desire you can complete the course and you will be a better diver for it. The course philosophy is -- how you do something is not important -- what matters is the result. Anyone taking this course will find weaknesses. They will also find strengths that they did not know they had.

If you are a PADI Advanced Open Water diver or if you are certified by another agency beyond open water and have 20 logged dives then you are qualified to take the rescue class. The only other prerequisite is the desire to be a better diver and a better buddy. You also need to have current (within 24 months of certification date) training in first aid and CPR. But you are all current in your first aid and CPR training, right?

The PADI Rescue Diver program increases diver’s knowledge and skills so they can effectively assist other divers, perform rescues, manage diving accident situations and administer first aid. The program is a very important step in expanding knowledge and abilities as a diver. Students also gain knowledge of how to recognize and prevent potentially dangerous situations before they become a problem. PADI Rescue Diver certification is also a prerequisite for all PADI leadership programs.

The PADI Rescue Diver program covers:

• self-rescue and diver stress
• diving first aid
• emergency management and equipment considerations
• swimming and non-swimming assists
• panicked diver response
• underwater problems
• missing diver procedures
• surfacing the unconscious diver
• in-water artificial respiration

• egress (exits)
• first aid procedures for pressure related accidents
• dive accident scenarios

• Must be at least 15 years old (12-14 can earn Jr. Rescue Diver)
• Must be certified as a PADI Advanced Open Water diver
  OR
  Hold certification with another agency beyond open water and have 20 logged dives
• Must have completed PADI Emergency First Response or equivalent CPR/Basic Life Support in the past 24 months.

• Classroom Sessions – October 11 and 13
• Pool Session(s) – October 11 and 13 (October 13 is optional)
• Open Water dives – October 16 and 17

• $224– Includes tuition, Rescue Crew Pak and certification card

• $184 – Includes tuition and certification card

Skip, Loogpla, Mark, and Laura are planning to attend!

Jack Connick

President, Marker Buoy Dive Club

A meeting at Seacrest was held this morning, June 16; which was led by Kathy Whitman, Seattle Parks Aquatics Manager. Various representatives from Seattle Parks, Metro, Argosy and the Marker Buoy Dive Club (representing volunteer park divers) were present.

Fritz Merkle and I thought it was very productive. We were pleased with the tone of the meeting in that it was put to Metro/Water Taxi folks to recognize the recreation uses of the park and mitigate their use, not the other way around (which had been the case a few years ago).

Water Taxi Approach
There was a fair amount of time spent educating the Argosy folks where the I-beams dive site is and they agreed to adjust their route to come outside of it instead of right over it as has been the case. However, in southerly wind conditions this may become difficult and divers should beware.

We all agreed that a dive marker there, probably nearer the top of the slope, but within 100' feet of the ends of the beams should greatly help and they have agreed to respect it.

Buoys
Regarding the buoy project, we are set to put out seven or eight permanent buoys marking the cove dive site and pier boundaries. I suggested we set the anchors about ten feet outside of the existing line so that if they are used as down lines there will not be a problem. We may have to adjust our placement, or number, to stay within our budget.

There will be three dive flag buoys (about like the existing white buoys) placed in the coves (one over the I-beams and one each in coves two and three). Thus, our long-term goal of having recognition as a permanent on-going dive area should be achieved! At least a moral victory . . .

All parties are very anxious to get this going and I would like to marshal the forces tentatively for a large work party the weekend of July 10, as fishing season starts July 16, and it will be a zoo. Hopefully, we can get materials delivered before then and do some preparation. We will get some planning and logistics with DIT and Harbor Patrol in-place and then make a more general call for dive team help, although we are going to want experienced divers involved, and experience has shown us that less is more sometimes in
terms of personnel involved. This can be dangerous work. So stayed tuned, I appreciate the offers of help I have received.

Showers and Water
The shower placement was discussed and after some corrections to communication it was agreed that placing them at the southwest corner of the pier will be fine. Parks has one shower ordered but will see if they can put in two. There will also be a rinse tank. The showers should be installed within a three week timeframe. I also asked for the placement of some benches within the restrooms to better facilitate their use as changing rooms. The Parks maintenance fellow thought that could be accomplished.

The idea here is to encourage divers to keep sand and wet out of the restrooms and cut down on the sand tracked across the sidewalks as well as disrobing in front of the condos’ windows . . .

Signage
Signage was also discussed, possibly installing a "No diving within 150' of pier" sign to be added at the corner of the pier. At least, then, there will be a sign to point at when not-so-bright divers swim out in back of the water-taxi.

Divers need to recognize that the boundary line is for their own safety. Your head is not going to hurt the water-taxi when it hits you!  Please educate others as you see problems in a friendly way. We run the risk of citations or possible loss of the dive site altogether, as it is a city law now.

I have also asked Kathy to place some "Respect Dive Flag" signs at the head of the pier and at the boat launch. She also wants information for the city's various websites/newsletters. I will work on this as well as the graphic for the dive site markers.

Parking
Parking was discussed and I explained that the lack of street access to the ends of the coves away from the pier is critical for divers. Kathy felt a letter to the Transportation Department may be the best approach but I am also going to look into it. We will follow-up on this.

Future
Parks also would like to hear ideas for further diver improvements (I asked for a hot

tub . . .) and promised to try to get funding from the County in future years to continue to mitigate the water-taxi's impact. There was also discussion of angling the end of the landing dock east toward the Duwamish Waterway to better facilitate their approach and keep the ferry completely out of the coves.

There was good progress and a hope of a more organized dive area that can be safe for everyone.

Divers please respect the boundaries and be good neighbors in terms of noise, sand, and impact. As we have faced the recent loss of access to other dive areas this is one place that we can work together as responsible users.

Looking forward to working with all of you!

Steve Birthinier

Well, it happened again. A few hardy and adventurous souls headed north for some fun diving. Little did they know how adventurous it would be.

Some things to understand about this dive: You must do it only on a slack before EBB. Yes, "So and So did it on a slack before a FLOOD". Lucky. I listened to that famous statement and followed them into a ride to remember. Another fickle thing about this sight is that if the water exchange is slight the current "May not change/stop". There is no exact minimum/maximum exchange that is safe. The slack was a good time and the exchange did not look too bad. Silly, silly. Now that you understand how adventurous these divers truly were, let us continue.

The plan was to dive Skyline/Burrow Pass first, on the slack before the EBB. After that we were going to play it by ear but probably do a dive at Keystone Jetty later in the day. Four brave and hardy divers and two Divemasters showed up for the dive. We were greeted to the sight of a bald eagle flying low overhead and making a fresh catch. Oh look! Here comes another one only about 10 yards away, then three deer were spotted. Cool. It was a great day. Not too hot and not too cold and with plenty of sunshine all around. We geared up, after which the Fantastically Great – smirk -- giggle -- Divemasters gathered the divers together for a truly stunning, "Hey! Stop that giggling back there", brief. The look in their eyes said it all. "What am I doing here?"

We decided to split into two teams and one team submerged a little ahead of the other. As we started along the wall I noticed the current did not seem to be slacking much. We enjoyed an "invigorating" dive along the wall, which was covered with black burrowing cucumbers and a mix of bright orange and yellow burrowing cucumbers. As we tried to slow our ride I noticed burrowing cucumbers screaming past me as my buddies tried to slow their dive down; popping unsuspecting cucumbers from bed. Yes, we did not worry about them at this point. Finally, one of my buddies came to their senses and we tried to turn around . . . Yeah right. We ended up going to the surface and heading through the kelp bed and into the wall.

Meanwhile, the other team did not fair much better. My buddies headed back to the beach hand over hand along the bottom while we waited for one of the other team to work their way back from Japan. When we all were back at the beach we found out that one of our team members, who was using a re-breather, had flooded their rig and came in early, missing all the fun. Thankfully, our re-breather buddy was highly trained and experienced and handled the situation with a cool head. Unfortunately, they did not stay to do the second dive. Gee, wonder why they did not stick around . . . smirk.

We took our time breaking down our gear and talking about the dive. I have to say that all divers concerned were amazing. Even as we watched the Titanic come screaming by in the current they all remained in control and we all finished the dive safely. We even managed to see several things as well. The second team even got to see a very, very young wolf eel.

We headed into Anacortes to pick up a few things and then went to Keystone. It was a perfect day to barbecue and enjoy the sun. The breeze kept us cool as the sun warmed our spirits. We had a great lunch and ate until we all started to doze off. GOOD IDEA! We all grabbed our favorite spots and had a nap. What a great day!

After our nap, we were all refreshed and the food had dulled our memory enough that we figured we would give "Puget Sound" another crack at us. What a change! It was perfect. There was 40 to 50 feet visibility, easily. Keystone was one big nursery. There were schools of young fish above us: herds of young greenling along the bottom, tritons were laying eggs side by side making pretty pinwheels of eggs, another school of a different kind of young, ling cod were even hanging out getting a good cleaning. We made it around the point and turned around. As we headed back toward the beach a gentle current carried us in. I like to think that it was "Puget Sound" apologizing for the last dive. We ended up seeing five octopus, two dogfish, two kinds of nudibranch, and had a great dive as the sun streamed down through the kelp above. This was a great way to end an adventure to remember. We got in our chariots and headed home with visions of herds of juvenile greenling roaming across the bottom, schools of fish parting like sliver mist, and dogfish to boot.

Notes on Collecting Critters -- July 17, Richmond Beach

Wendy Drucker

As divers we have all been taught, "Don’t touch anything. Don’t bother the animals—we are merely tourists in their world." As members of the Emerald Sea Dive Club we have rare opportunities to interact with the marine creatures on our collection dives at Camp Casey and Richmond Beach. We justify these special collections because they enlighten non-divers, teaching them to respect the life below the waves, and because we take care that the animals come to no harm.

These notes are my personal observations and are intended for our many new members, and for everyone else who needs them.

1. When you remove a creature from its home you are responsible for its well-being during the collection and on the return to shore. At Richmond Beach we are collectively responsible for the creatures on shore and during their return to their homes.
2. Critters collected at Camp Casey are in good hands with Keith Ludeman, the resident marine biologist. At Richmond Beach it is we who have to take care of them after they are brought ashore.
3. Handle the creature very gently. If you can’t get it into your bag or jar without harming it, just leave it alone.
4. If you have to uproot it or forcibly pry it off a rock, you may hurt it. Just leave it. At Richmond Beach visitors will be able to look at critters such as limpets, chitons, and anemones in the tidal pools.
5. California sea cucumbers (the big orange-brown ones) do not fare well in the Richmond Beach touch pools. Aquarium volunteers have reported them washing ashore dead after we leave. I no longer bring these poor guys in.
6. Grabbing fish is great fun for us but bad for the fish. You can trap or net a fish, but if you have to seize it with your hands and grip it, you are probably hurting it. Their bones and organs are no match for your strength. Just because it swims away doesn’t mean it isn’t mortally wounded.
7. Large crabs are not suitable for kiddies’ touch pools. Think little fingers and big pinchers.
8. Think about the mix you are creating in your bag. If you want to bring in a Pycnipodia (sunflower star) leave it for last to collect. There are plenty of them. If you put it in your bag at the beginning of the dive it might eat some of your other catches. Same for other large starfish. (If you have any crabs in your bag, the stars will often willingly cling to the outside for the swim in.)
9. The water in the touch pools at Richmond Beach warms up quickly. Cold sea water has to be added frequently. These critters cannot tolerate warm water. At the end of your dive, instead of stripping off your gear and heading for the food, take a turn hauling in buckets of cold water. The beach volunteers try, but it is much easier for someone wearing an exposure suit. Also, someone in a suit needs to take the animals back to their home.
10. Your first concern is, of course, your personal safety, and your buddy’s safety. But beyond that, your primary consideration as a collector must be the life and well-being of each creature you take. You volunteered—they did not!

You could win a $50.00 ESDC check by hosting club dives. Every time you sponsor a club dive your name "goes into a hat" and twice a year a raffle will be held and one person from each drawing will receive $50.00 from ESDC as a Thank You for sponsoring dives, friendships, and fun! Remember, a club dive is a dive approved by Rich Carton, Activities Coordinator, and placed on the clip-board and on the ESDC web-site. This is a great way to meet club members and have lots of fun. Book your dives today! Remember: the more dives you book the more chances you have of winning.

When you take a class that furthers your diving experience, such as Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Divemaster, etc., show The Board your certification card and you will receive a congratulatory $15.00.

E-mail Jason Miller, our mailing list moderator, jason.miller@IDG-Corp.com,

to be put on the ESCD yahoo group mailing list (www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ESDClist) where you can communicate with other members regarding various dive topics, find dive buddies, or let everyone know about a planned dive that did not make it to the newsletter or clipboard in time. Join the list so YOU won’t be left out!

Wednesday, July 7

Alfy’s Pizza

4820 196^th SW

Lynnwood WA

425-775-5459

Board meeting, 6:00 p.m.; everyone is welcome to join these meetings

General meeting, 7:00 p.m.

Speaker of the Month

Remember, there is no speaker tonight because after the general meeting we will meet at EUWP for the ESDC Annual Dive!!!

Heading north on I-5: take exit 181B (196^th St SW/Alderwood Mall Pkwy). At the top of the exit there is a stop light, turn left. At the next stop light turn left onto 196^th St SW proceeding to 48^th. Alfy’s is on the south side of the road. (Alfy’s is 4 blocks down from The Rock.)

Heading south on I-5: take exit number 181 (Lynnwood). At the top of the exit there is a stop light, turn right onto 196^th St SW, proceed to 48^th. Alfy’s is on the south side of the road. (Alfy’s is 4 blocks down from The Rock.)

President Wendy Drucker astromoi@earthlink.net

Vice-President Elena DiPardo edipardo@u.washington.edu

Secretary/historian Laura Orlich lorlich@ssoe.com

Treasurer Willow Moore dr.moore@verizon.net

Activities Coordinator Rich Carton addcorich@verizon.net

News Letter Editor David Ripley esdcnewsletter@mindspring.com

NL Editor’s Secretary Darlene Ripley esdcnewsletter@mindspring.com

Big Buddy Coordinator Sharan Smith sjsmith0@gte.net

Webmaster Phil Morgan pmorg@olmpus.net

Greeter Loogpla Cowden loogpla@att.net

Visit our web-site: www.emeraldseadiveclub.org

Write us: Emerald Sea Dive Club

PO Box 73

Edmonds WA 98020

Contact any of the board members via telephone or e-mail.

Month for newsletter Deadline

August July 26

September August 30

October September 27

November October 25

December November 29

₪ Bruce Bury -- PADI rescue certification

425-788-8063

bury1of6@aol.com

₪ Skip Stacy -- rainy days

425-775-2410

₪ Jason Miller -- Rescue

425-778-7548

Jason.miller@idg.corp.com

₪ Mike Bevan

work: 425-788-0595

home: 425-788-1015

₪ Greg Becvar

425-670-3978

tridoxia@yahoo.com