BajaNomad

Bay of L A - scuba?

John M - 4-26-2010 at 06:08 AM

I'm not a scuba person but.....a friend wants to head to Bay of L.A. and take his scuba gear. Is there a place at BOLA to get his tank filled?

Thanks, John M

larryC - 4-26-2010 at 06:26 AM

Yes, there are a couple of places. Villa Bahia hotel has a compressor. Not sure if Roger has been able to keep it going with clean air, but he has one. There is another in town, Ricardo, had a sign out on the road near his place, and there are several locals that have compresors. I also have a 3500 psi compressor.
Larry

Thanks Larry

John M - 4-26-2010 at 06:28 AM

I'll pass on the info. John M

Was just thinking of that

mcfez - 4-26-2010 at 06:15 PM

Is there someone in BOLA that gives lessons?

shari - 4-26-2010 at 06:18 PM

NOt sure about BOLA but I found out from Mick at Cortez Explorers that there is an introductory dive package that sort of teaches you about diving and you get a dive in....maybe Ricardo offers that option?

nice

mcfez - 4-26-2010 at 08:29 PM

Very good website u have.................

larryC - 4-28-2010 at 07:23 AM

No instructors in Bahia that I know of.
Larry

David K - 4-28-2010 at 07:31 AM

Addition Bahia de los Angeles information may be found on Mia's web site: http://bahiadelosangeles.info

Mulegena - 4-28-2010 at 10:35 AM

As a scuba diver this thread has brought up several thoughts.

Diving is safe if the laws of physics that you'll encounter are known, understood and respected each and every time you slip under the waves. If you don't know what you're doing your dive may be fine (sheer luck), but you might also cause yourself a life-threatening emergency.

There are introductory dive experiences that someone can have, but its up to the consumer to determine whether or not they are putting their safety into the hands of a knowledgeable and trained/qualified dive guide.

These are some issues you might consider wherever you go to dive:
Are you a certified diver and are you confident with your skills and knowledge?
If you're not a certified diver is your guide a certified instructor? If he/she is they will know how to handle any emergency, ie. conduct a search for a missing diver, extract an injured or unconscious diver from the water, perform CPR and keep the injured diver stable and safe and arrange for emergency transport. Is there emergency pure oxygen available?

Also there's the matter of clean, filtered air and tanks that are safe. Air compressors must be serviced regularly; tanks must be pressure-tested periodically by a certified dive-tank station.

All these rules have evolved to make SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving safe and fun.

shari - 4-29-2010 at 08:23 AM

good points Mulegena...when we went to get our tanks filled at Cortez Explorers in Mulege, it was interesting to see what kind of services Mick offers. He is an instructor and I thought it was cool that he could take someone on an introductory dive to see if they liked it.

Perhaps he could explain what that program implies as I think some nomads might be interested in it. I doubt most people are aware of this possibility and the services Mick offers. He can certify divers...so tourists could get certified while on holidays in Mulege. Kinda like the restaurants talk about their menu's here...maybe Mick can let people know what he offers in the dive world.

It's worth visiting the dive shop just to see the animals they have there...bunnies, snakes etc. and they have cool videos too.

Mulegena - 4-29-2010 at 10:12 AM

About Mick of Cortez Explorers in Mulege:
I'll see if I can persuade him to post an answer-- he's running 'round like the proverbial chicken lately.

This is what I know:
He's finishing up a Divemaster student who'll get some hands-on training next week assisting him with a Rescue Diver Certification Course. This is where a diver learns Medical First Aid, underwater search and rescue and retrieval skills.

Later in May he's conducting Baja's first PADI Instructor Development Course which is a very intense couple weeks for everybody involved. PADI will fly an licensed independent examiner down here to actually conduct the examinations.

Also he's adding to his zoo and is building a large habitat for his Mexican Iguanas including a private swimming area. The turtles are out-growing their large tank so another is being designed.

We're caretaking a wonderful racoon who was given to us by a veterinarian who rehabilitated it from wounds received in the wild. The little guy is quite sweet and eats from our hands; he loves dates, mango, eggs and a bit of catfood.

Having animals around is good medicine for the spirit and has brought us many friends in the community. Children stop by to see the animals and then bring their parents. Mick always has time to drop what he's doing and introduce his critters. Please stop by, Nomads, and say hi.

Scuba diving...in Mulege

Bajamick - 4-30-2010 at 07:46 PM

Hi Shari, in response to your posting, I'll make this an open text.

Thanks for the word about my zoo. It is indeed increasing slowly, and one day Juan and I might open a mini zoo between us!!

As to what we offer here at Cortez Explorers, basically, it is the lot. Having been diving now for 34 years, 19 of them as a PADI Pro, and having literally every member of my family dive, Thea my ten year old upwards, I think it fair to say I still find diving fun, magical, exciting and relaxing. I simply never get bored with it, be that teaching, or guiding. I am qualified as a PADI Course Director, which means that I can teach the teachers. A kind of diving professor that finds his profession is still his passion.

If anyone is interested in just blowing a few bubbles in safety for the first time, this can be done with ease over a morning's pleasure. Or if one feels like becoming a certified diver, then we can do that in three to four days. Plus all the courses in the PADI system up to and including the professional levels. I also teach about a dozen PADI Specialty courses at both recreational and professional levels.

The dive shop has a complete oxygen outfit for emergencies, and of course, that is available to anyone, be it a diving emergency or not. I have about two hours of oxygen, and can lay my hands on another similar unit if need be. I believe we are better equiped in this respect than many "saluds" here in Baja. Safety is my main and primary concern, so I hope that my oxygen kit stays in its bag, where it belongs!!

larryC - 5-1-2010 at 07:04 AM

Mick
Can you do Ni-trox fills at your shop?
Larry

Bajamick - 5-1-2010 at 08:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
Mick
Can you do Ni-trox fills at your shop?
Larry


Morning Larry, no sorry, we have no such facilities here at the moment. Maybe in time to come, but with Baja/Mexico being slated as it is (all BS of course) business is somewhat slow. EANx would be wonderful here in the summer months on the seamounts and some of the shallower dives. Time will tell...watch this space.

I have just checked with a friend that lives in Loreto, and apparently, there is no Nitrox there either. Am not sure about La Paz, but feel this might be a better bet. Sorry for my lack of help!!

capt. mike - 5-1-2010 at 12:51 PM

hey Mick - i am on July Sams trip to mulege - i will have 2 chiros that want to do an extra day so i'll plan on a dive with you - to ynez islas is good enough.
see you this weekend i'll be down too, with Sams.
i want to do easy 40 ft and warm agua no suits, ok?
i'll be in Alex's bar friday nite stop in for one ok? i am bringing him a surprise for his empty walls........:lol:

Mulegena - 5-1-2010 at 01:38 PM

Ooooh, diving the Sea of Cortez in July.... can't beat it!
The water is PERFECTION!!

And Alex's Mesquite Oyster Bar right on the town square. One of Mulege's beautiful historic buildings. We duck in there frequently for a game of pool. He's got a great table-- I still can't play worth beans, but I love it. Hope he gets the patio set up for summer.

Mick's with his divemaster/instructor students right now. I'm sure he'll chime in here this evening when he has time to sit down.

Bajamick - 5-1-2010 at 03:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
hey Mick - i am on July Sams trip to mulege - i will have 2 chiros that want to do an extra day so i'll plan on a dive with you - to ynez islas is good enough.
see you this weekend i'll be down too, with Sams.
i want to do easy 40 ft and warm agua no suits, ok?
i'll be in Alex's bar friday nite stop in for one ok? i am bringing him a surprise for his empty walls........:lol:


Hi Mike, thanks for the update. Sure, see you Friday at Mesquite (any excuse for a swift half...or two!! Looking forward to it. Still a little early for no suits, but was in the water for about 30 minutes the other day with just shorts. Not too bad, but each to their own. Take care and take it easy...!!

larryC - 5-3-2010 at 06:30 AM

Mick
Just a suggestion, but I had a Dnax system on my charter boat and it worked out real well, no oxygen to buy and store. Also didn't have to O2 clean all the tanks either. I'm sure that last statment will start a discussion, but that was the US Navy's policy back when I had the system on my boat 10 years ago. Granted the system is more expensive in beginning but in my case it paid for itself pretty quickly. Since then I have sold the bussiness and retired, so can't say if Nitrox is as big a deal as it was back then, you would be a better judge than I.
Good luck with your business,
Larry

Bajamick - 5-4-2010 at 08:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by larryC
Mick
Just a suggestion, but I had a Dnax system on my charter boat and it worked out real well, no oxygen to buy and store. Also didn't have to O2 clean all the tanks either. I'm sure that last statment will start a discussion, but that was the US Navy's policy back when I had the system on my boat 10 years ago. Granted the system is more expensive in beginning but in my case it paid for itself pretty quickly. Since then I have sold the bussiness and retired, so can't say if Nitrox is as big a deal as it was back then, you would be a better judge than I.
Good luck with your business,
Larry


Morning Larry. Sorry for the delayed reply. Just busy redecorating the DC and trying to make it look somewhat smarter with a new coat of paint here and there!!

As to Dnax, I confess that after 34 years of diving, without Googling it, I am not sure exactly what that is. Some form of N2/O2 filtration system I would guess.

I am EANx trained, but have rarely used it, mostly though in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Maybe one day we will get something here at Cortez Explorers, but to be honest, at this time, it is not on the top of my priority list. Nitrox does seem to have lost some of its "magic" these days with many divers, and given the vast temperature differential here between summer and winter, I can only think that it would be a summer "service" here.

Thanks Larry for the Good Luck wishes. One can only do ones best!!

larryC - 5-4-2010 at 04:49 PM

Mick
Dnax stands for Denitrogenized air, basically you take compressed air and force it through a membrane. This membrane seperates some of the nitrogen from the oxygen in air and dumps the nitrogen as waste gas, then the oxygen rich air (nitrox) is diverted into the compressor intake and forced into a scuba tank. At the time I had the system the max was 40% O2. At that time Undersea Breathing Systems had the patent on it, and I bought my system from them. Anyway if I ever break away from here and head south I'll stop in and say hi.
Larry

Bajamick - 5-5-2010 at 08:17 AM

Thanks Larry, ok I understand the system, but had never heard of it as such previously. I think the Red Sea Diving College in Sharm el Shiekh, Egypt had the same system, at least by the way you describe it.

40% O2 is still the max standard before being required to have everything O2 cleaned. Generally EANx is used as a 32%, 36% or 40% mix and depth over duration depends obviously on the mix with the partial pressure of O2 (PPO2) being the controlling factor.

Maybe if the economy, the drugs wars and the total blanket bad press coverage that we have to endure here, improves, it might well be worth looking at the investment in time to come.

Definitely drop by if you manage to break free the chains up north. Would be good to chat in person.