Scuba Diving

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TheCatt
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Scuba Diving

Post by TheCatt »

GORDON wrote: A lot of the volunteer meetings are held in Malawi.
That's a long flight for a volunteer meeting.
It's not me, it's someone else.
GORDON
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Post by GORDON »

That's just how we roll in T-Town.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
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Post by GORDON »

This happened today
78735207_10217950808315172_6295888758436790272_n.jpg
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TheCatt
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Scuba Diving

Post by TheCatt »

Sweet Christmas!
It's not me, it's someone else.
Leisher
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Post by Leisher »

Does the suit and beard make a noticeable difference in your mobility down there? Does it freak the fish out who use colors to identify predators?
“Every record been destroyed or falsified, books rewritten, pictures repainted, statues, street building renamed, every date altered. The process is continuing day by day. History stops. Nothing exists except endless present in which the Party is right.”
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Post by GORDON »

Mobility: yes. Especially the damned beard, it floats up into my face. It's also pretty heavy when waterlogged and I'm climbing back up the ladder.

Fish reactions: I think so. My zebra shark buddy isn't quite sure what to do about it. Only got a couple face bumps, instead of a bunch of them. The black tips are the ones to be concerned about... but they typically don't get within 5 feet of me unless unless one of them hits a fish and they all kind of frenzy. Most of the divers have had an experience with that. So no, they don't appear fazed by the santa suit.
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Post by GORDON »

All,
Yesterday we had an incident where the Zebra shark bit onto the fake boot cover of the diver and "held on" to it for a short time. The diver was able to pull away and retrieve the bitten piece of plastic. Please do not let the Zebra shark "investigate" too closely, if the shark is to close for your comfort push it away by shoving the animal in the side of its body. Keep your hands and fingers away from its mouth. In the past when I have pushed the Zebra shark away he tends to avoid you the rest of your dive. The behavior of the shark will determine the action we take from this point forward. If you have any questions please email either me or Jay.
Thanks and Happy Holidays,
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
TheCatt
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Post by TheCatt »

GORDON wrote: I think so. My zebra shark buddy isn't quite sure what to do about it. Only got a couple face bumps, instead of a bunch of them.
GORDON wrote: the Zebra shark bit onto the fake boot cover of the diver and "held on" to it for a short time.
Hmmm.
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Post by GORDON »

The zebra shark eats chunks of fish off the bottom , when fed. I wonder if the diver was kneeling, feet in gravel, and the shark got confused.

I'm diving the last dive of the year, December 30. I'll let you know.
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Post by GORDON »

About to gear up for the last feed dive of the year. Gonna see sup with the zebra.
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TheCatt
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Post by TheCatt »

GORDON wrote: About to gear up for the last feed dive of the year. Gonna see sup with the zebra.
It was nice knowing you.
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Post by Leisher »

Make sure someone posts the video of you being mauled on YouTube.
“Every record been destroyed or falsified, books rewritten, pictures repainted, statues, street building renamed, every date altered. The process is continuing day by day. History stops. Nothing exists except endless present in which the Party is right.”
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Post by GORDON »

Yup, got bit by the zebra shark.

One of the aquarium workers told me before the dive that the zebra shark has been making aggression moves, possibly related to mating. They had to get rid of the second zebra shark because this one kept latching on to the fins, and they'd have to physically get in the tank and make it let go. So he told me that when it gets too close, just push it away.

And in the tank, it was getting close like it always does, so I gently pushed it away 3 or 4 times over the course of giving the feed show to an aquarium full of little kids, who always get excited high-fiving the diver through the glass. So I fed the reef fish, gave the show, and the tender up top told me over the comm system that he had unplugged me from the lobby.... which means the visitors can no longer hear us. But I can still communicate with the guy up top watching my air supply, which is nice.

So I'm in about minute 15 of the dive, going window to window, posing for pics, fist-bumping kids, occasionally pushing the zebra shark away, when I felt it clamp on to the back of my calf, right below my knee joint. Startled me, I exlaimed a "Yahhh!" SO I'm glad the microphone wasn't broadcasting to the guests. It didn't feel painful, but it felt like I'd been gummed and squeezed by a 6 foot shark. The teeth of a zebra aren't chompy like a Great White or Tiger, so it didn't even penetrate the wetsuit.
M9W6Y2.jpg
Fortunately it let go after about a second and a half, and now I considered myself to be in a shark fight, more or less. I turned to keep it from getting behind me again, and actually steered it away from my face almost immediately. I told the tender I'd just been bitten, I thought I was fine, but I was calling the dive. The fucking shark kept trying to get behind me, I kept pushing it away, all the while moving toward the ladder, and still waving at kids as I passed by. I'm not sure how violent it looked from out there, but I didn't want them to see a panicked diver. So I even gave a couple high-fives on my way out, when the shark circled the coral and I had a safe moment.

Latched my elbow in the ladder rung as per usual in order to take off my fins in the water, had to push it away again. Got both fins off, and got up the ladder faster than I ever have before, ha. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug.

Debriefed with the aquarium staff, they didn't know what they were going to do about it, as the Director was out today. I told them I'd be willing to get back in right now if they'd like to closely observe the shark... they declined. But I told them I'd keep signing up for more dives, NBD.

Called my kid, after, to brag.

"Just dove the aquarium, the fucking zebra shark bit me."

Him: "That's pretty cool."

"Right?"
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Post by GORDON »

BTW don't say anything about this on social media. I don't want them cancelling the diver program.
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TheCatt
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Post by TheCatt »

GORDON wrote: "Just dove the aquarium, the fucking zebra shark bit me."
I think "gummed" is the word you're looking for based on that picture :)
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Post by Leisher »

GORDON wrote: I told them I'd be willing to get back in right now if they'd like to closely observe the shark... they declined.
Is...Is that code for you going in and having relations with the shark?
“Every record been destroyed or falsified, books rewritten, pictures repainted, statues, street building renamed, every date altered. The process is continuing day by day. History stops. Nothing exists except endless present in which the Party is right.”
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Post by GORDON »

From now on I will only be accepting advice and ribbing from people who have survived sharkfights.
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TheCatt
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Post by TheCatt »

GORDON wrote: From now on I will only be accepting advice and ribbing from people who have survived sharkfights.
I chase a shark that had actual teeth once.
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Post by GORDON »

Stegostoma fasciatum has actual teeth.

I use the Latin name now, out of respect for a fellow combatant.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
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Post by Leisher »

I once stepped on a sand shark in Florida (true story). I frightened him so much he swam away instead of attacking (possibly true).

I have also, legit, swam with Man-O-Wars. You will respect my authoriti!
“Every record been destroyed or falsified, books rewritten, pictures repainted, statues, street building renamed, every date altered. The process is continuing day by day. History stops. Nothing exists except endless present in which the Party is right.”
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